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SCHOOLS NEWS
 
 

RAMBLERS AND LEIGH JUNIOR IN NEW

UNDER 10s GIRLS LINK
 
Leigh Ramblers Y.F.C. and Leigh Junior School have been celebrating the next step in their FA School-Club Link recently after opening-up their school training sessions in a club environment at Belfairs Sports Ground thanks to assistance from the Essex County F.A. and local coach, Howard Mackler.

Ramblers have been working closely with Leigh Junior during numerous sessions operated after school on Friday afternoons by Mackler which have proved increasingly popular. Now the relationship between the two groups has blossomed to the extent a potential new Under 10s girls team could be put together to compete in a league environment within the much-celebrated FA Charter Standard club.

The initiative is aimed at girls in school Years Three and Four who are looking to take-up the sport, make new friends and stay in shape. It's the latest in a succession of links which have also taken place in Frinton and Walton, Intersports, Little Oakley, Newbury Forest, Snaresbrook and Island Girls and Jays Youth F.C. On this occasion, schools in Leigh-on-Sea received promotional materials and have had the opportunity to sign-up to taster sessions amidst a school-based setting.

Leigh Ramblers were awarded their FA Charter Standard plaque in February at a Southend United F.C. home game after building a reputation for youth provision, as well as 'Soccability' and girls football. Level Three Coach Mackler, who is also Manager of the Essex Under 18s Representative side, is driving the project and he explained: "The sessions will continue throughout the summer and it is an opportunity for girls to come and play in a friendly and developmental environment."

Emma Burden, Girls' & Women's Football Development Officer for Outer Essex, also thanked all concerned for their efforts, adding: "This is the first time we have delivered a School-Club Link with Leigh Ramblers, which was developed as Southend is one of our target areas where we have to increase participation. Howard is a quality coach who lives in the area who was happy to drive the project forward himself."

The club opens-up their sessions this Saturday 27th June, which take place at Belfairs Park, Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 4LR from 10:00 to 11:30am. Queries should be directed to either Howard Mackler on (07966) 488308 or Emma Burden at the E.C.F.A. on (01245) 393076 or via E-Mail at emma.burden@essexfa.com.
 
 

Intersports
 

SCHOOL-CLUB LINKS SHOWCASED
 
Brand new football teams continue to spring-up across Essex thanks to the successful FA School-Club Link Programme, which has most recently had full effect in opposite ends of the County at Billericay and Frinton-on-Sea thanks to partnerships with the Essex County Football Association.

Intersports Y.F.C. are the latest boys FA Charter Standard Club in the area to take the step of working alongside local schools and initiating a female section within their already large set-up, boasting over 20 teams from youths to adults. Michelle Canty, Girls' Development Officer for the club, is increasingly positive about their move forward, explaining: "Working alongside the E.C.F.A. has been really helpful and we've managed to get girl-specific football out to as many schools as possible in the local area and get the word out there that we're serious about putting female football on the map."
  

Frinton
Working in partnership with their County Football Association, the Barleylands-based club were keen to connect with as many primary schools in their catchment area as possible and delivered curriculum time sessions within the Quilters, Brightside, Stock and South Green schools and the eight-week School-Club link initiative was promoted at each session. Intersports are now hoping to set-up Under 12s and 10s teams as a result.

Michelle, who has taken her Level One Coaching Certificate as part of the programme and is set to work towards Level Two status shortly, was the driving force behind Intersports offering opportunities for females within the community. She continued: "The School-Club Link Programme has been a great platform to take us forward and the girls have had the opportunity to experience quality coaching that we have all learned from and intend to continue with. We are really pleased with the outcomes."

In addition, the Programme has also seen major success in the north of the County at Frinton, with the traditional eight-week schedule extended to accommodate the huge demand. The Programme was specially extended for a further six weeks, the initial stage following a basic development plan. The fun sessions engaged the children to try and increase participation levels every week and it was then extended to continue to support and mentor coaches as the interest increased.

Coaching began with just four girls on the register, which has now grown to a list of around 34, ranging in age from 7 to 13-year-olds. Local fixtures were organised so the girls had experience of playing matches and two local female volunteer coaches had been mentored to develop their knowledge, experience and confidence for when they coach the youngsters themselves later down the line.

Local primary Schools visited included Rolph Primary, St. Philomena's and Walton and School Teacher, Andrew Hales from Kirby Primary, attended the sessions as well as promoting the programme within his school to ensure the link was retained. "It helps if the kids have a familiar face the first time they participate," highlighted new E.C.F.A. Community Football Coach, Emma Manning.

The club sessions at Hannakins Farm Community Centre continue to take place on Thursday afternoons on the Astroturf in Billericay from 5:00 to 6:00pm and cost only £1. Over 35 girls have attended so far and three female coaches have been delivering the sessions. For more information, contact Michelle Canty from Intersports on (01277) 650995 or Emma Burden at the E.C.F.A. on (01245) 393076 or E-Mail at emma.burden@essexfa.com.
 

Intersports 2
 
 
 

Be Part of The FA 3 Lions Club!
 
Hullbridge Sports Youth Football Club, in conjunction with the Essex County Football Association, are gearing-up to maximise the numbers at this weekend's FA 3 Lions Club which aims to start-up a brand new girls' team for youngsters between school years three to six.

The FA Football Development School-Club Link Programme will be in full force to introduce local young females to the game in a friendly environment, described by E.C.F.A. Schools & Education Development Officer Lana Bond as: "A great introduction to football where you can learn new skills, have fun and make new friends".

The first eight sessions will be subsidized by the E.C.F.A. Football Development programme, costing just £1 per week. More information can be obtained by contacting Lana Bond from the E.C.F.A. on (01245) 393073 or Peter Hanrahan from Hullbridge Sports on (01702) 232710.
 
 
 

ROVERS PROVE TO BE A SHINING BEACON
 
Lana Bond, Essex County F.A. Schools & Education Development Officer, has heaped praise on Wickham Bishops-based youth club Beacon Hill Rovers F.C. after their partnership with nearby Great Totham Primary School led to the creation of a brand new Under 7s football team for next season.

Rovers and their local school recently benefited from the 3 Lions F.C. School-Club Link Programme, football's commitment to ensure that all children, whatever their circumstances or abilities, should be able to participate in and enjoy physical education and sport. Having enjoyed an eight-week course of coaching at Wickham Bishops Sports Ground near Witham, the children were presented with certificates and gifts by the Essex County Football Association for taking part in the fun.

Lana, who actively promotes the cooperation of schools with their local football clubs, relayed: "This Programme was fully led by the coaches from the club, who have a strong and dedicated volunteer base of male and female coaches. Particularly with this age group, the parents have been keen to support the development of the younger players and Beacon Hill Rovers have put a lot of time and effort into ensuring that the children have the best environment to develop within."

Participants from the under-six age group arrived from local villages and the approach is already paying dividends within the club, which now runs five adult sides, many of Rovers' current players having progressed through their youth development programme. "The main target before the eight-week programme started was to develop a new team for next season and to strengthen the club's partnership with the local community and we hope they continue to grow," Lana added.

Prospective new players can attend training on Saturday mornings between 10:00 and 11:00am and Peter Mickelsen, Lead Coach for the Programme on behalf of the club, was also delighted to have been given the opportunity to add to Rovers' team numbers. He commented: "This next group of young players continues the Beacon Hill Rovers strategy to bring on youngsters to not only strengthen the club for the future but also to reinforce our links with the community."
 
 

BOREHAM VILLAGE YOUTH LINK-UP COMMUNITY

 
Two new teams have been created at Boreham Village Youth F.C. thanks to the latest roaring success of the 3 Lions F.C. School-Club Link Programme organised in conjunction with the Essex County Football Association.
 

Children conclude the first step of their involvement by accepting their Certificates and Goody Bags
 
The E.C.F.A. has recently completed another highly-progressive Saturday programme involving the club and Boreham Primary School, including a number of in-school taster sessions for years one and two children delivered by the Nacro charity, with approximately eighteen individuals attending the six-week course.
 
This has led to the club being able to set-up two new teams ready for next season, and Club Secretary and Under 12s Tigers Manager Mark Rivers, who was a lead figure on the project, is overjoyed, explaining: "We have now nearly formed Under 7s and 8s teams for next season already, which we're hoping to enter into the Blackwater & Dengie Youth League. It's saved us having to clamber around in the summer looking for players, that's for sure! We'll be looking to arrange some friendlies in the spring then take it from there."
 
F.A. Level Two Coach Amy Vernon developed the schedule for the week, supported by Level One coaches 
from the club itself. Rivers continued: "Word is certainly getting around about the good reputation of the club as players are coming forward from outside the village as well. If things continue to work well we could try and do this every year as it guarantees us a team in every age group in the long run and means we no longer have to ask youngsters to play up a year to make-up the numbers in smaller teams."
 
 
Based at Chase Field, Boreham Village run teams from Under 7s through to Under 18s and have spent many hours of volunteer time recently developing Codes of Conduct for their players and parents as well as an Anti-Discrimination Policy. Lana Bond, Essex County F.A. Schools & Education Development Officer, has also worked on the project and she observed: "I hope the 3 Lions F.C. Programme will continue to be a success like we've seen at Boreham, where two new teams have been formed from the children that attended these sessions. The youngsters continue to train on Saturday mornings under the guidance of the club coaches and are planning to enter a local league next year."

Saturday morning training sessions continue for boys and girls aged from five to eight years of age (school year one and two). These sessions allow new players to start playing football in a fun, no pressure environment each week at 11:00am at Boreham Recreation Ground, costing just £1 per session. All are welcome, however all sessions must be pre-booked. For more information, or to book a place, please call Mark on (07878) 934078 or E-Mail info@borehamfootball.org
 
 
 

NOTLEY 'NEW BOYS' JOIN 3 LIONS F.C.
 
Tabor High School in Braintree was the venue for another successful 3 Lions F.C. School-Club Link Programme, with nineteen children aged five to eight enjoying fun coaching activities, skills and games under the expert guidance of coaches from Notley Youth F.C. and lead F.A. Level Two Coach, Amy Vernon.

Notley Club Secretary Steve Galley is now hoping the children will be able to form a new Under 7s team at the F.A. Charter Standard club, and he forms part of a group of volunteers arranging a festival for new talent on 15th October. Galley enthused: "We have six players at the moment but we've had to borrow another from our current Under 8s, so if we can attract some more players to join then it can only help in us building our club from the bottom."

The F.A. School-Club Link Programme, which operates under the 3 Lions F.C. banner, is football's commitment to ensure that all children, whatever their circumstances or abilities, should be able to participate in and enjoy physical education and sport. Lana Bond, Education & Schools Football Development Officer at the Essex County Football Association, further added: "This is the first School-Club Link programme we have run in the area, set-up following the introduction of a 4 v 4 Pilot Festival for local schools which was run at Notley High School, supported by the N.A.C.R.O. Sports Project and Young Leaders. It is always rewarding to see a successful scheme coming to fruition where children have had the opportunity to experience football, in most cases for the first time."

Now Steve is looking forward to reaping the benefits that the School-Club Link has instigated, forecasting: "In the future we hope to secure sufficient numbers of five and six-year-olds so we then have a team ready and waiting to play in the Under 7s each year. The addition of a School Liaison Officer to our Committee, which we're working towards, should assist with this and overall we're delighted with how the 3 Lions F.C. Programme has helped our club."

Further details on the Festival, which will take place at Notley High School from 3:45-5:30pm on Wednesday 15th October, can be obtained from Lana at the County Office on (01245) 393073 or via E-Mail at lana.bond@essexfa.com. Information on the 3 Lions F.C. Programme and School-Club Link can also be forwarded via these means.
 
  
 

SNARESBROOK GIRLS SCHOOL-CLUB LINK

ENDS ON A HIGH !
 
Girls' football in the London Borough of Redbridge continues to go from strength to strength this summer as the Essex County F.A.'s eight-week School-Club Link programme came to an end at Snaresbrook F.C.

The club, based in Wanstead, were assisted by the E.C.F.A. in setting-up a girls section which included in-school 'Taster Sessions' as well as a further eight weeks of coaching support at the club's Nutter Lane facility. The sessions were delivered by an all-female team of coaches from the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation who also helped with the first eight weeks of sessions run at the club.

Tasters were delivered in four local schools and the response at the club's Saturday training mornings was extremely positive, with over twenty-five girls in attendance. As a result of the bumper turnout, Snaresbrook will be entering two new girls' teams into the newly-formed Girls Under 10s Division of the Essex County Girls' League, which is open to clubs based in the London Boroughs of Havering, Newham, Barking & Dagenham, Waltham Forest and Redbridge.

Reflecting on the accomplishment, E.C.F.A. Girls' & Women's Football Development Officer for the London Boroughs, Sharon Brownlie, explained: "In the short time we have been delivering work within the Boroughs this has by far been our most successful School-Club Link. The delivery of the Taster Sessions received great feedback and the fact that Snaresbrook are now able to affiliate two new teams is a testament to the hard work undertaken by the club and the female coaches who have supported them."

Further information on how to get involved in the F.A. School-Club Link Programme or how to develop a girls section can be obtained from Sharon Brownlie on (01245) 393074 or via E-Mail at sharon.brownlie@essexfa.com
 
 

TIGERS SCHOOL-CLUB LINK IS A ROARING SUCCESS

 
Tigers J.F.C. and Havering's Benhurst Primary School are celebrating a blossoming relationship thanks to the latest success of the F.A. School-Club Link, pairing local Charter Standard clubs with active footballing schools to create a bridge of participation for the County's young children.
 
 
"A School-Club Link is where a quality pathway is created to allow children to pass from an educational setting into a club scenario where they can play football in a safe and fun environment," explained Lana Bond, Essex County F.A. Education & Schools Development Officer. "In this case it's in the form of an after school club."

Lana attended the club recently to give the children their certificates and goody bags as the initial nine-week guidance period supported by the E.C.F.A. was completed, with further support supplied by Mark Keeley, F.A. Level Two Lead Coach at Tigers, and Chris Hobson, Deputy Headteacher at the School.

Early progress on the link began in Spring 2007, when Mark had a short discussion with Chris regarding the development of football activities and opportunities for children at the school. The pair came-up with the idea of running an after school summer term football club for Years Three and Four children as a trial project. A club was set-up and the response received was remarkable, with over forty boys and girls taking part.

Following the Summer holidays, Chris informed Mark of a large number of enquiries from both children and parents to ask if the club was going to continue. Further research was therefore undertaken to examine how they could take it forward on a more permanent basis through the winter months.

"I went away and got in touch with Lana who was able to provide me with all the advice and information I needed," recalled Mark, who found it relatively simple to progress the idea once the initial work had been laid down. "It was then that the School-Club Link Programme was identified as a project I could start to develop for Benhurst Primary School."

"It wasn't really difficult to get it up and running at the very start as there was already plenty of interest and support from everyone which gave me enthusiasm to take the project forward. The only thing we struggled with was identifying a suitable indoor facility throughout the winter months. However, Chris' connections with the P.E. Department at a local Secondary School were able to secure facilities for us."
 
 
Tigers J.F.C. are based in Hornchurch and were formed in 1987. The Club has now grown to become one of the largest youth football setups in the area, with over 250 children playing in twenty junior sides, including two newly-developed girls' teams who actively play in the London Borough of Havering. Most importantly, Tigers are a club that promotes and ensures everyone enjoys the game at all levels.

Benhurst, meanwhile, had a strong football background of their own as a Charter Standard Development School. Chris proudly claimed: "We are always looking for ways to improve football experiences and provision. Initially the logistics of running such a scheme needed to be thrashed out, however positive and mutually beneficial outcomes for all parties helped the process. The Essex County F.A. were particularly helpful and were keen to help kick-start the scheme. This provided the impetus for other partners in the link to drive the project forward and make it a reality."

"Feedback from all parties has been really positive so far, so the main aim is to make the club link sustainable. The idea of pursuing a Football Foundation grant is now being investigated, whilst the plan of extending the project to other local schools is another aim. Eventually other local schools will be approached in order to share the provision, an opportunity the link provides. This will hopefully allow even more children to have access to quality grassroots coaching and the chance to play local football whilst raising participation."

Lana is now hoping the initial springboard provided to Tigers and Benhurst will lead to greater things, concluding: "The aim is to continue into this summer term and beyond to strengthen the link between the two parties and ensure the children have the opportunity to take part in well-structured, fun football sessions with the option to continue into the club equivalent if they wish. Chris Hobson deserves credit for his involvement, as do Ray Few, Keith DiPalma and Mark Keeley for running the club. Tom Spooner, one of our Young Leaders, also receives our praise." 		 
 
 
 

FOOTBALL FUN AT THRILLED ESSEX SCHOOLS!

 
Four local schools had reason to rejoice after the Essex County Football Association watched over a brand-new F.A. 3 Lions F.C. School-Club Link at Wickford Town Y.F.C. while elsewhere issuing F.A. Charter Standard status to delighted youngsters at Maldon's St. Francis' R.C. Primary.
 

Children conclude the first step of their involvement by accepting their Certificates and Goody Bags
 
Hilltop Infants, The Grange and North Crescent benefited from three weeks' worth of football sessions from Wickford's coaching team including Level Two qualified Colin Bennett, who headed-up the project. "Each year we run development training sessions for Under 6s," he explained. "These always start very slowly and grow via word of mouth which takes too long. The 3 Lions scheme gave us an instant start-up and credible entry, with E.C.F.A. backing, to get into these local schools."
 
3 Lions F.C. Clubs are designed for young people aged five to eleven years old, with a slightly more flexible age range for those with disabilities. They offer regular fun football sessions throughout the year for all abilities who are keen to 'Get Into Football' and meet new friends, learning skills with the emphasis on the fun aspect.

Steve Howard (F.A. Level One Coach)
Reggie Disley (Level One) and
Colin Bennett (Level Two) from Wickford Town F.C
 
Town themselves have also benefited from the scheme as their work in the community is now much better understood within local schools and residents of Wickford. "In terms of direct benefits we have been asked by a couple of schools to bring our coaching to them," continued Colin. "We now have a small core of young coaches who we work with to help them with their university and college qualifications. They, in turn, coach for several of our teams in their own time."
 
Although the formal first stage of their relationship with the schools is now complete, there have been several noteworthy memories already for Bennett, who recalls: "Meeting the same children who we coached in school time who then attended the Development Sessions and also seeing their faces when they reached the end of the 3 Lions and realised they had achieved something special was very worthwhile."
 
"The sessions for this scheme are already continuing and we plan to carry on through the spring and into the summer when any teams built will start by entering Under 7s Exhibition Leagues. We are already looking at ways to get parents involved in their own children's football development and we'll examine how we can use the 3 Lions "model" to carry on next season," he continued.
 

St. Francis' School celebrate their new status with E.C.F.A. Coach Andy Edmunds
Wickford Town Y.F.C. were grateful for the assistance of the E.C.F.A.'s Education & Schools Officer, Lana Bond, who maintained regular contact and assisted in the continuity of equipment, helping to give the children a visual recognition they were doing something special. Colin concluded: "If we can offer a similar type of session for schools again then it is definitely beneficial to the club to start this way."
 
Meanwhile, St. Francis' in Maldon were awarded Charter Standard School status at a special assembly recently. Andy Edmunds from The F.A.'s Football Development Team attended the presentation at the school in London Road and handed Head Teacher, Susanne Breen. This was followed-up by the arrangement of a coaching session for thirty children from Year Six to celebrate the achievement.

The school gained its new status in recognition of their dedication to football and the high level of its provision provided for children both through the curriculum and via after-school clubs. Both boys and girls enjoy playing the National Game at the school and they will now be given a badge to put on their kit displaying the Charter Mark. A spokesman for St. Francis' said: "MrsBreen was delighted to receive the accolade on behalf of the staff, sports coaches and children."
  
 
 

YOUNGSTERS STAGE EASTWOOD SCHOOLS FESTIVAL
 
Young Eastwood School coaches of the future put their organisational skills to the test two weeks ago when they organised a Football Festival from scratch as part of their F.A. Junior Football Organisers' Course.
 
 
Around one hundred pupils from eight primary schools in the surrounding area arrived to take part in a fun period of participation completely put together by J.F.O.s from a variety of secondaries in Southend, in conjunction with the School Sports Partnership.

In the run-up to the event, the coaches also ran sessions for selected schools to develop their football skills as well as developing their own experiences and David Johnson from Eastwood School's P.E. Department explained: "They approached five local Charter Standard Clubs to create a school-to-club link, giving both the pupils and the J.F.O.'s the opportunity to carry on with football after the event had finished. The groups worked extremely hard on this project for around three months, and needed very little help. They split the primary students into smaller groups to coach them and did all the liaising with the teachers to ensure operations ran smoothly."

Aside from activity on the field, the J.F.O.s sourced sponsorship for the event through local businesses, which made-up the entire budget available for them to spend. Instead of awards for the winning schools, equipment vouchers were obtained and sports coaching paid for by the sponsors was also up for grabs.

Johnson, who was on hand with guidance throughout the planning process, was proud of how the students achieved so much from scratch: "The schools involved benefited as they didn't need to go outside of their own schedules to get involved while it also opened doors for the coaches. They hope to complete their F.A. Level One courses when they're old enough and are already talking about arranging a Futsal Tournament next year. This has to be good news for local sport when such enthusiasm is shown at this age."

David would like to thank David Lloyd Health Club, Essex Premier Soccer Coaching and the Eastwood Sports Academy for their assistance with the funding of the event. 		 
 
 

THREE LIONS AT LITTLE OAKLEY
 
The Three Lions Football Club project has been roaring along this year with Little Oakley in Harwich recently benefiting from the School Club link scheme.
 

Three Lions FC in Harwich
 
The project, which featured eight local primary schools signing up for the Girls Football taster sessions, allows Charter Standard Clubs to set up new teams and Little Oakley are keen to ensure that girls have the opportunity to access football within their local community.

Harwich is a hot bed of talent for Girls Football with five local girls playing at the Colchester Centre of Excellence programme and Little Oakley coach, James Martin, is delighted with the turnout: "Our club already has around 120 youth and adult players and over the last couple of seasons we have been able to add a women's team to our family club. 

"We are hoping to get U12 and U14 teams from the success of this programme as the girls are really enjoying the sessions and looking forward to playing in games against other clubs within the North East of the county."

If you are interested in School Club Link Girls Football sessions in your area please contact Emma Wake at the Essex FA on 01245 393076 or emma.wake@essexfa.com