Taupo AFC has taken the bull by the horns and engaged their own Football in Schools coordinator for 2019.

Danielle Dunbar (pictured) has been contracted by Taupo FC for this role and is busy visiting primary schools in the area to both promote football to the students and encourage them to become more active.

The club recognised an opportunity to increase their junior playing numbers as part of their overall strategy to grow the club.

By the time the junior football season starts, Danielle will have visited nine primary schools in and around Taupo and connected with over 800 students.

"This is a fantastic effort from Danielle and Taupo AFC," said Ken Cresswell, WaiBOP's Football Development Manager. "WaiBOP is pleased to support Danielle and Taupo's efforts in this space by providing equipment and resources which help deliver the programme."

Danielle is delighted with the progess of the Football in Schools programme so far. "It's been fantastic. The kids, and myself, have all seemed to enjoy it and it has definitely helped promote the club's the First Kicks programme," she explained. "Some parents have already told me that their kids signed up to play football after taking part in the programme at school.

"I'd obviously like to say a big thanks to Taupo AFC and WaiBOP Football for their support and help with resources and also to the teachers for letting me take the programme into the schools. Hopefully we will see a lot of the kids playing for teams at the club for years to come."

"Our numbers for first kicks registration this year are already well in excess of last year," said Hamish Crawford, Taupo's Junior Co-ordinator. "I think it shows that this programme is working well. It is a great reflection both Danielle’s success as well as the club's commitment in backing this programme."

Taupo AFC's registrations haven’t closed at the time this article is published but, as at the beginning of April, playing numbers were already up 25% from 2018 with still more registrations rolling in.