Round-Up: Referees Raise Funds for Orchid

Essex referees will be raising money for male cancer charity Orchid on Thursday 19th March in Colchester at an evening with international and Premier
Guests will arrive at 7:00pm for a 7:30pm start at the Marks Tey Best Western Hotel. Tickets are priced at £16.50 each, including a hot buffet, with tables of ten available at the special price of £150. Contact Dave Duffett via dave.duffett@tesco.net or (07890) 582972 or Andy French via andylfrench@btinternet.com or (07841) 538976.

Beach Boy Gains International Call-Up: After a number of successful club displays, young Concord Rangers midfielder Alex Woodyard was involved in the England C Team’s match at Cyprus Under 21s on Tuesday 17th February, becoming the first Beach Boys player to gain international recognition.

The 21-year-old was promoted to Paul Fairclough’s 16-man squad which is a team made-up of the best players in non-league football. He came on as a half time substitute for the Three Lions, who went down 2-1 in Larnaca. England had led at the interval through former Braintree Town wide man Andy Yiadom’s header, but goals from Kyriakou Charalambos and Andreou Adamos won it for the hosts, who had Andreou Kristis sent off late on.

‘reFspect the Referee’ in March: The annual ‘reFspect Referee Awareness Weekend’ will take place from the 13th-15th March as organisers ‘Don’t X The Line’ work with The FA, Professional Game Match Officials, The FA of Ireland and referees at all levels to improve the behaviour of parents and spectators.

The Awareness Weekend is an initiative particularly aimed at grassroots football, aiming to reduce the number of incidents of poor touchline behaviour in order to maintain the current number of referees and help to attract many more newcomers to the beautiful game. Football clubs are able to raise awareness of reFspect by signing-up to support the weekend. This can be done online at www.dontxtheline.com or by calling (07951) 442 480.

Girls’ Schools Representative Success: There were some excellent wins for the Essex County Schools FA’s Girls Representative Teams on Saturday 14th February at Chigwell School as they both won 3-1 to advance to the Semi-Finals of their respective English Schools FA competitions.

Essex Under 16s beat Hampshire, while the Under 14s were successful against Surrey by the same scoreline in a match which doubled-up as a South-East England Schools FA Competition match. Emma Burden’s Under 16s now host Somerset in the Semi-Finals, while Sharon Brownlie’s Under 14s entertain Bedfordshire in the last four.

Skills and Small Sided Games in Colchester: Colchester Villa YFC are beginning ‘Skills & Small-Sided-Game’ training sessions for new and existing players currently in School Years One to Four at primary school (under 6s to 9s) on Saturday mornings from 7th March between 9:00 and 10:00am.

These will be run in six-week terms at Leisure World in Highwoods, Brinkley Lane, priced at just £24 per term. Should they prove successful, there is the potential to create new teams from these groups for season 2015/16. If you would like to book a place for your son or daughter, please E-Mail info@colchestervillafc.co.uk.

Active Essex Organise Facilities Workshop: Valuable information on how to construct and evidence a successful Sport England ‘Inspired Facilities Fund’ application will be available at an Active Essex workshop on Wednesday 25th February from 6:30-9:00pm at Essex County Cricket Club in Chelmsford.

The Inspired Facilities Fund is ideal for anyone looking to renovate, refurbish or improve a sports club facility. This workshop will provide an opportunity to discuss individual projects and ideas with industry experts. Free parking and refreshments will be available. E-Mail anna-maria.lewry@activeessex.org to book a place or call Alexa Cadwallder on (07894) 964377.

Horndon Vets Celebrate History: Horndon Vets FC have published archive team photos as they look back at some of the club’s milestones during 50 years of existence as a Saturday or Sunday club under various guises since their formation by Vic Stubbington, memories which include annual trips to Belgium from 1984.

They began in 1963/64 comprising members of Haroldonians Cricket Club in Harold Hill and, via the Dagenham & District and Thurrock & District Sunday Leagues the current version of the club compete on Saturdays in the Essex Veterans League. Stubbington has since gone on to pick-up an Essex County FA Long Service Award, having been with the club between the ages of 30 and 80. The team photos can be viewed above or at www.facebook.com/EssexFootball.

Free Networking Event for Volunteers: Volunteer organisation Sported are hosting a free event on Monday 2nd March at Chelmsford City FC designed to introduce members to their services, network with other similar organisations and provide the opportunity for volunteers to meet mentors.

Sported support organisations who use sport as a tool to engage with, and transform the lives of, disadvantaged people aged 11-25. They provide free services designed to help members become more sustainable, including funding bulletins, volunteer and legal support. Book a place at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/your-sported-network-get-connected-in-the-east-of-england-tickets-15272105278. To find out more about Sported, go to www.sported.org.uk.

FA Trophy Final Ticket Deals: The FA Trophy Final is taking place on Sunday 29th March at the iconic Wembley Stadium and The FA are currently promoting ‘early bird’ and group discount rates on admission, with individual tickets starting at £7.50 while group discounts offer tickets from only £5.

In Saturday’s Semi-Final First Legs, Bath City drew 2-2 at home to North Ferriby United while Wrexham beat Torquay United 2-1 at the Racecourse Ground. Tickets are already on sale at www.thefa.com/tickets and group deals can be purchased via a booking form at www.thefa.com/fa-trophy/more/trophy-final. Anyone booking group tickets will be entered into a draw to win a behind the scenes stadium tour or have their tickets refunded.

Futsal Triumphs for Eastbury School: Eastbury Comprehensive School have received plaudits recently after numerous age groups secured tournament victories in their recent Barking & Dagenham Borough Futsal Finals.

Mr Gander’s Under 12s made it a hat-trick of wins following on from their previous Under 16s and 14s triumphs. His team won every single group fixture, as well as celebrating a 2-1 success in the final against Robert Clack. The school represented their country last year at the Futsal World Cup in Sardinia, which has inspired other schools to give Futsal a try.

Wembley Day Out Planned for Irons! Braintree Town FC plan to say thank you to fans for their support throughout the season by inviting them to Wembley Stadium to sample the atmosphere of the Vanarama Conference Promotion Final, with kids going free while adult vouchers cost only £10 before the end of February.

There are no restrictions on tickets per person, but they will be available on a first come, first served basis. Vouchers are available from the club’s Cressing Road Reception (opening hours are Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 9:00am-4:30pm and Thursday evenings from 7:00-9:00pm). Transport may be provided depending on voucher sales. For further information call Mark on (01376) 330976 or E-Mail mark@braintreetownacademy.org.uk.

Youth Tournament at Concord Rangers YFC: Concord Rangers YFC are extending invitations to youth teams who’d like to participate in their Football Festival, which will take place at the Aspect Arena over the weekend of Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April. Matches at Thames Road in Canvey Island will be played on the same pitch as the Adult First Team, who compete in the Vanarama Conference South. E-Mail phil@hopesun.co.uk for details.

Are You a Grassroots Superhero? Grassroots football enthusiasts can take part in a ‘Superhero Run’ in Southend on Saturday 28th March in aid of Livability, a national disability charity. Individuals can walk, run or ‘fly’ around the five-mile or ten-mile courses along the seafront dressed as superheroes and contribute only a £5 entry fee for adults, while it’s free for under 12s to take part. Further details on the event can be found at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/superhero-run-for-livability-tickets-14958851327.

Related News

View All