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Supporting grassroots football in the community June 2020
N E W S L E T T E RELMSWELL YFC
WELCOME
Our ClubWelcome all to our first Newsletter. Unprecedented times for us all, but an important part of the Club ethos is remaining connected as a community whatever is happening.
This is the first edition of, what we hope will become, a regular update on the things that are happening on and off the pitch.
We look forward to seeing you all soon!
Covid-19The current guidance from the Government and FA provides for a limited ability for small training sessions up to a max of 6 players.
On the basis of the guidance as it stands, the Club Committee have agreed to continue with our current position - we will not be running organised training sessions for the time being.
The limited way in which we could operate safely, both with the numbers and the need to maintain working practices with shared equipment, means that it is difficult for us as a Club to offer any structured training.
We will continue to review changes that arise, and as soon as we can, get back to operating as club once more.
Season in ReviewInside this edition, each of the teams have reviewed their season. We also have a few updates from Chris and James on the Club administration.
U6 Coach
U8 Manager / Coach
U11 Coaching Assistant
U13 Manager
Ground/Equipment manager
Firstly, I hope you are all well and are managing during these tough times; and dare I say it, enjoying the weather where you can. As the Season ended in such an abrupt manner, we thought it wise to round up as best we can using this newsletter. We would have loved to have concluded with awards and a social but this should only make us more determined to make next year’s event bigger and better!!
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have provided their time and support to keep the Club running and enhance the experience of parents and players. Without the
help of parents in committee roles; assisting with matches and training; providing refreshments and raising funds, we would not be able to provide the level of support to our players and coaches that they require. I think we can all certainly agree our coaches have been fantastic and I know we all thank them. They have worked tirelessly to provided development opportunities and maintain interest; allowing our children to grow and enjoy the game. I would especially like to thank those who have needed to cover several roles where we are missing people, hopefully we can alleviate some of that pressure in our coming recruitment drive.
We have had many successes both on and off the pitch this season, a development/social trip, several high achieving teams, a new Club Website (Pitchero), the refreshment stall, donations from charities, sponsorship, and participation in the Elmswell Fete. The ‘off-the-pitch’ activity has put us in a great place financially ahead of next season – we can finally get those new goals for the 7x7 teams!! On that note, I would like to announce the AGM. The Committee have decided that, due to the current restrictions, it would be best to circulate an AGM leaflet this year instead of an open meeting. The leaflet will contain all of the usual AGM information and will also provide an open opportunity for comment and questions from all members. All comments, questions and answers will then be posted in another leaflet.
I look forward to hearing from you all soon and even more so to seeing the coaches and players back to doing what they do best.
A final note from me is to once again thank you all for your continued support of Elmswell Youth Football Club.
We have several vacancies within the Club and are looking for help from you and your friends. Some of the positions will be critical in providing football for specific age groups. Those highlighted in red are the most important to fill.
We also have a critical issue with our U13 who are due to move to 11v11. In order for the Team to continue, we require more PLAYERS and a MANAGER to support the current coach. Please spread the word, the last thing we want is for some of our players to miss out.
Please note, any role within the Club will come with the required training and safety checks – all funded by the Club and the FA.
Message from the Chairman
Our Club succeeds only with the support of volunteers, and we need your help as parents and supporters to help fill the gaps
Please contact Chris or James if you are able to help:
Chris [email protected]
A Request for HelpVolunteers Needed
2 Elmswell YFC
Our SeasonUnder 7s
2019-2020 Season ReviewFor many of the children this was their first taste of playing club football. To say they loved it would be the understatement of the year! To have a group of youngsters that turn up every Saturday morning, come rain or shine, speaks volumes about their love of the game, their friendships and the club.
Due to league restrictions on registrations, this was the first season that children had to wait until they turned 6 to be able to play in games. Although frustrating, it provided the children with a threshold moment of being able to play games as of their 6th birthday. This was one of the highlights of the season, seeing the excitement about playing their first match, after all, you only ever get your first match once!
Results are not important at this age, although we had our fair share of good ones. Enjoyment, development and attitude are the overwhelming priorities for our young players and these were evident by the bucket load.
U6 and U8There is a great deal of interest in the community for ages 5 and up to start to get involved in football. We would love to support this as a Club, but we will need a bit of a helping hand.
Please, if you feel as though you may be able to help with early years coaching, maybe as a parent of a younger child - contact either Chris or James directly, or through your coach
Ipswich TownThe Under 7s enjoyed a fabulous day out at Portman Road during the season.
Graham DruryUnder 7s Manager
3 Elmswell YFC
It still seems surprising to me how much of the work involved with the club happens in the off-season. By the time we get around to September, and the actual football starts, many of us will have lost track of the forms completed, meetings attended and emails responded to!
This was, for a few of us on the committee, a year of learning our roles. The administration of the Club starts well ahead of the season, and in a few places we had some catching up to do.
Or relationship with the Leagues needed a bit of repair - so I am particularly grateful for the efforts of Lee and Chris in helping us re-establish a good level of communication.
With the use of Pitchero, many of the teams have been able to get into a groove with the management of the weekly availability - well done to all of those who got to grips with it so quickly. We hope that use will grow across all teams next season, and that we can also expand our use of the website for news and updates.
Shortly we shall be starting the process of registering the players again for the Club. This year we shall be managing this through the coaches and managers in each age group to try an make this a little easier. Please do watch out for the forms that will be circulating.
And a final and important thanks to all those coaches, assistants, managers and helpers - many of whom do battle week in, week out with the FA systems - to keep us as a Club in good order.
A Year of LearningJames French, Secretary
This season, although cut prematurely short, has been in incredible one from the point of the Elmswell U8s.
Fueled by the mantra of “Fun comes First”, we have really seen a vast improvement in all players, and the way we play as a team.
We have, won, drew and lost, playing in the searing summer heat to the worst rain downpours and everything in between, however SMILES have stayed consistent throughout as well as the constant support we have from our amazing parents.
We really try to create a family vibe in the U8s, and we believe this really shows, and is confirmed by the majority of football teams we play; regularly we are complimented either by the managers or parents of those teams.
We can’t wait to start the U9s season, seeing all those happy faces and stepping up to 7 a side.
Fun Comes First!Our Heroes
The Under 9s’ tribute to the Key Workers
Lee DrummondUnder 8s Manager
4 Elmswell YFC
Rabonas!
It’s been an absolute pleasure coaching these girls and boys this season. The enthusiasm, commitment and love of the game shown by each and every one of them has been magnificent. In terms of the quality of opposition we’ve played this year we’ve had a big step up. Our Saturday league was against predominantly U10 teams and our Sunday opposition was made up of the best U9 teams from last season. Did it phase or trouble our squad? Not one bit! Despite some heavy losses not once did anybody get upset, not try their hardest or not enjoy their football. They’ve shown a real team work ethic and the results of what we’ve been working on training have been clear to see.
Some of the squad were lucky enough to enjoy an exclusive tour of Portman Road in January. Not only did we have a chat with Terry Butcher (and goalkeeper Will Norris) we even saw a rare win! Players and parents alike really enjoyed the day together and every member of the squad was a great credit to our club.
It’s been lovely to welcome a few new players in to our group this season. They’ve immediately joined in with the rest of our squad and it seems like they’ve been here for the last three years! Massive thanks to coach Carl, ref Andy, our sponsors (Volo Sport Horses and Brookfield Garage) and all the parents/grandparents/brother/sisters for setting up pitches, confirming availability and generally standing around in the cold and wet. This wouldn’t work without everyone’s help. As always, the end of season awards would have been very difficult to decide this year. There isn’t a single player who I wouldn’t give ‘coach’s player of the season’ to.
I’ve no idea when we’ll be able to get together again – but I can’t wait for that first training session! Look after yourselves and keep practicing those Rabonas…
Ben MarshallUnder 9s Manager
Our HeroesThe Under 9s’ tribute to
the Key Workers
Having a BallA Year with the Under 8s
5 Elmswell YFC
The Club has signed up, as part of it’s efforts to raise money for equipment, with easyfundraising.org.ukWhen you spend online, clicking through form their app, we will get a small dona-tion from the shop that you buy from. Simple and no cost to you!Sign up here:https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/
elmswellyfc
Shona LinghamFundraising Secretary
easyfundraising
As you spend online - help the Club without it costing you a penny
Sally MillerRefreshments Organiser
Overall EffortsAs you are aware the Club relies solely on volunteers, funding and subs payments to keep the it running. We are always looking at ways to raise funds for the Club and always welcome donations.
You may have seen in your local Co-op last year we were part of the token scheme. With your help we managed to raise £500 to go towards the Club, so thank you! We will be looking to do this more often, so please carry on supporting us by popping your token in our box.
Some parents have kindly sponsored their child’s team, and their company logo is on their kits. Again, this is a huge help as we can get some of our kits through this type of sponsorship….and it is a good marketing tool for you.
On a final note, we are always happy to hear ideas on fundraising and ways to better our club for our kids. If you are interested in fundraising please contact Shona via WhatsApp on 07878 092005
Fancy a Brew?As you have probably seen, this season we started to offer teas, coffees & snacks at some of the home matches. Not knowing how this was going to be received, we started off slowly with a basic offer of products. Our first week we took £29.70, which we were really pleased with.
We then progressed onto offering hot Bacon rolls, and the last home match, before Covid-19 came along & changed all our lives, we took an astonishing £115.70. After just 11 matches we have made £686.00 profit for the Club. This is being used to purchase new equipment for all the Club’s age groups to benefit from.
Currently it is just myself & Dawn Barton who operate the stall, which means it is only being offered to our players & spectators when the U11’s are playing at home. Volunteers are always welcome & needed!
If you feel you would like to get involved, or even have any suggestions on what we could offer differently, then please contact Chris Smyth, Chair, who will pass your details onto myself.
Thanks again for all your support so far! We could not do it without you.
Raising our FundsSupporting the Club
6 Elmswell YFC
John CurtisUnder 14s Manager
Lee BeardUnder 11s Manager
Alan TrickeyUnder 13s Manager
At the beginning of the season we had 2 objectives, 1 to draw in new players as we were moving up to 11-a-side and 2 to keep this football family and it is a family not a team together so Lucas and Oli could carry on playing football with their mates,
And that’s what it’s all about mates having fun together on a football pitch, the whole team gave us 100% in every game which lead to us getting promoted, thank you to all the parents who helped throughout the season, especially Karen, Clare and Chris for keeping this football family together.
Triumph in LockdownBack in September 2019, Elmswell Youth U11s made the transition from mini soccer 7v7 to 9v9. They performed extremely well in the Ipswich Suffolk Youth Football League on a Sunday playing in the top division, against very strong opposition.
With Saturday football, the U11s stepped up to the challenge of competing in the WAYS U12 division in their first taste of competitive football, winning 11 games, drawing 1, and remaining unbeaten. With a few games to go, it looked as though the team were going to be denied the opportunity to
be crowned champions. However, after a unanimous decision by all the teams in the division, the final league positions were decided on a points-per-game system, and the U11s were rightfully crowned champions of the U12 league.
The Look AheadNext seasons U12s coaches and players are eagerly awaiting the commencement of the new season and aim to build on last season’s success, develop the players further and hopefully bring more silverware and success into the club!
The Under 14s got off to a good start which saw the boys sitting mid-table; much improved from last season. Over the winter period, games were few and far between as the weather put pay to several matches, but the boys still managed to train where possible and keep a positive attitude.
Thank you to Sam, who assisted with the coaching and all the parents for getting the boys to games home and away and supporting them.
It’s been a pleasure to continue to work with the boys through their grassroots journey, hopefully they will be able to continue next season and carry on enjoying the game and learning.
Under 13sA Footballing Family
Positive Start for U14s
The Under 11sChampions
7 Elmswell YFC
At EYFC we are all about creating a safe, enjoyable and above all fun environment for the children. As part of that ethos, safeguarding the children is at the heart of everything we do as a club. All of the coaches and volunteers at the club have been criminal record checked, which is done every 3 years, and had training on safeguarding either online or in the classrooms to ensure everyone is compliant with and indeed embraces the safeguarding of the children. We have a code of conduct which we all operate within and have a massive library of materials we can refer to all of which are available on the club website or the FA’s website. As Club Welfare Officer I am always available to answer any questions and advise the coaches on safeguarding matters as well as face to face with parents/carers as I am generally at most matches.
We promote an environment of openness and operate our relationships on trust all within the boundaries of the code of conduct and the safeguarding policies. If an issue is raised it can be done in the strictest of confidence and has been made as easy as possible to raise the issue. There are several routes concerns can be raised by the children through their coaches or parents/carers in the first instance by contacting myself either by e-mail ([email protected]) or phone (07973 195581) or through the Suffolk FA or indeed The FA, all contact details are available on the club website or FA websites. Any issues raised will be taken seriously, treated in confidence and dealt with in the appropriate manner to resolution. As I said at the outset its all about having fun and enjoyment in a safe environment.
Sponsorship is a great way to support the Club and also to promote your business in the local area.
If you are interested in either a Team, Kit Sponsor or Equipment Sponsorship - please get in touch with Shona
SafeguardingNeil Miller
Player RegistrationAll you need to know about getting registered
Helping the Club Prosper and Grow
Next Issue
Own a Business? Help our Club
Sponsorship
Getting Ready for the Season Training times, leagues and plans for each team
Updates on FundraisingOur look ahead for events and ways you can help raise our profile
Blackbourne Community Centre, Elmswell, IP30 9GY
http://www.elmswellyfc.org
