I mentioned over the summer
that match-day squads would be selected not for rotations sake but in order for
us to be competitive against the other teams that rightly or wrongly are in the
league with us. On the whole though, I’ve still tried to be as fair as possible
in terms of selection. In addition to this I’m also aware that we as a club
have been turning new boys away when they want to join - this has not sat very
well with me in that I originally offered to create the Arrows because boys who
wanted to play and not just train were not given that opportunity.
Currently within the Arrows
we have 14 boys registered and 2 boys (Larry & Finlay) who currently just
train. As mentioned there are a number of other boys who have registered an
interest in joining us. I have therefore spoken to the AFC Waverton chairman
and other coaches across age groups and there is a clear desire for me to
create what would be a 4th U9 team that would commence training ASAP and would
compete in the same league as the Arrows, beginning in the New Year. I have
agreed to do this so have been planning accordingly over the last 2-3 weeks.
I’d now like to share that
plan with you which is as follows:
·
We will have 2
teams in the Yellow League (this is the third league at our age level), the
Arrows and the newly formed Dynamos. Each team will have ~10 boys aligned to
it.
·
This means that
some boys currently in the Arrows will continue to be selected for this team
until the end of the year, after which they will transition to the new team.
·
Both teams will
train side by side at the County Offices on a Friday evening. We will likely
move to a bigger pitch and share costs between the two (like we did with the
Rockets last season).
·
This format means
that every boy will be selected to play automatically each week – the
only reason for not playing will be down to a players own availability.
·
This means that
~20 boys will be playing competitive football each weekend from the New Year.
·
It is anticipated
that progression within each squad will grow at a greater rate than as it
stands today – this is due to training together in the respective teams and
playing week in, week out in a smaller group.
·
I will organise
matches for both teams.
·
I will create and
define training across both teams that will be delivered by parent helpers that
have stepped forward, offering to assist. I will be present each week and will
cover both groups and provide dedicated assistance where needed. This element
is similar to what happens today.
·
During
match-days, the current plan is for Darren to manage one team and I manage the
other. Each week we will swap, but both of us will be assisted by parent
helpers.
·
Ultimately, I
will say it again – this provides an opportunity for all boys to play each week
– it’s one of the things we all wanted 16+ months ago.
In addition to the 14 boys we
already have signed up, as mentioned we also have Larry & Finlay – I hope
that both will join also. For parents that were there last Friday night, they
would have seen Kailen make his training debut – he looks like a decent player
that can help us. Also we have another Waverton school boy that will hopefully
join us from Friday for training.
Ultimately that gives us 18
boys – I have sent mails to parents that have in the last few months asked for
places. If they have found alternate teams, I will look to still seek 2 further
boys to bring us to 10 each – I think this then gives us some flexibility and
cover for when boys are obviously away. The Arrows have two matches against
Upton in the next two weeks, after that we have a weekend off – on that date
I’m hoping to have at least the 18 players attend a 2-hour session in order for
us to train together further.
One final thing – I plan to
review the progress of each player obviously throughout the year, but at touch
points in December and June if a player needs to move between teams in order to
benefit their progression then that decision will be made accordingly.
There is obviously lots more
that I could write, so if you have any questions on this, please do let me know
– it’s really important to me, and something that I think will benefit every
single boy within the two squads.
Thanks as always.
Carl
AFC Waverton U9 Arrows07896 515717
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