Clara Vale Kestrels (U14s)

NEWSLETTER 12th February 2011

All details of fixtures, meeting times, venue (including postcode) & training sessions etc are shown on the UNDER 14s KESTRELS page of our Website.

WWW.CLARAVALEFC.BTCK.CO.UK

CONTACT DETAILS: Simon 0773 185 9435 (Manager / Coach), Ian 0792 626 7487 (Manager / Coach)

Debbie 0770 912 9765 (Team Admin, Club Secretary & Chairperson) Trish 0795 539 4860 (Club Child Welfare Officer)

Message from Debbie:Message from Debbie:Message from Debbie:Message from Debbie: Sorry that this Newsletter is a bit lengthy but it's months since one was issued (not like me I know). I have posted copies to all parents/guardian as we all know how difficult it is to read one which has been discovered in the pocket of a tracksuit after is has had a 30 degree wash! If anyone has any questions or queries please do not hesitate to ask me or any of the Coaching Team at

training or matches.

Not only did Santa come early for the Kestrels with boxes of Miniature Heroes and Gloves, but he left

an extra present under the tree ….. a YARD OF JAFFA CAKES! Here's a nice snap of our “Mad Jaffa

Cake Eaters”! I wonder if McVities will give us a donation (shy bairns and all that!)

FOOTBALL SHOULD BE FUN!!! But we should never lose sight that it is a competitive sport. In particular the South Tyneside Youth

League consists of teams who have a number of players registered

with Development Schools. This age group is particularly challenging as the Players develop at such different rates both physically and

mentally. One minute they are good, solid players then they have a

growth spurt and they look like “Bambi on ice” for a few weeks while

their brain learns to co-ordinate their body. Others find themselves up against players who seem two foot taller and a mile wider than themselves which can be extremely intimidating.

The Kestrels team was formed spanning a 2-year age group

(currently 12-14 years of age) and will continue as such, but we will not actively look to sign new players from the younger age range.

We currently have 15 registered Players and at times, due to illness/injuries and holiday/personal commitments, we have been

left with the bare minimum on match days. At this age we can carry

up to 5 substitutes and are able to roll-on-roll-off subs. However, we will field what the

Coaching Team feel is our strongest team which is very much dependent on who is our opposing team and the current fitness levels & application of the players. Where possible we

will try and get all substitutes time on the pitch, but this is not always possible when the

game is tight – there is some truth in the thought “if it isn't broken - don't fix it”. Sometimes a fresh pair of legs is needed, sometimes a change of formation is required, sometimes

players just have bad days like the rest of us. Other times if it's almost working for the team a disruption could potentially create more problems – no one wants any child to feel responsible for letting their team-mates down as it will not help their confidence or

performance.

Attitude and behaviour both on the pitch and off is

extremely important. Any player who sulks or strops

because he is taken off for whatever reason should not expect to get back on the pitch – the same applies to

players who don't start. Any player who questions the

Referee's decision or behaves unsportingly towards the opposition or their spectators (regardless of provocation)

can expect to be removed from the field of play – we will

play with 10 men if need be! Players and spectators are reminded of the Codes of Conduct they signed up to on

registration with Clara Vale FC.

The Coaching Team (Simon & Ian) are fully qualified and experienced coaches who will continue to attempt to improve the team as whole both during training sessions and matches.

Like all sport, football is competitive and spectators & players are, and always will be,

opinionated – nothing wrong with that at all (we can all sit on the sidelines of a Premiership match and judge). The Coaching Team ask for and listen to the opinions of the Players during

training sessions, pre-match, half-time and at post-match discussions. If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to discuss them with Simon or Ian after the match or at training sessions.

Some teams have pre-season trials to determine who will be registered but the Coaching

Team have decided to use the remainder of this season (including matches, training & pre-

season friendlies/tournaments) to judge Player suitability for registration for next season.

On match days WATER BOTTLES are provided. During training sessions, Players are

reminded to bring their own bottles as plenty of opportunity is made for rehydration.

Shin pads must be worn at matches and all training sessions.

AA TT TT II TT UU DD EE

is a little thing that makes a big difference

As you are aware, every team at Clara Vale FC is self sufficient. All monies raised from weekly subs, sponsorship, donations, sale of refreshments/raffles, bagpacks, sponsored bike rides etc are kept in the KESTRELS “pot”. This pays for Pitch Fees, League Fees, Affiliation with the County FA, Referees, Indoor Training Facilities, Strips & Kit, Equipment etc and the rest goes to the pay for treats for the Team. Parents/Guardians are reminded that they are responsible for reimbursement of any Player or personal fines issued by Durham County FA (not that we have ever had any). Only £30 per season to cover Club Administration costs is required by Clara Vale FC as the Club itself has no major overheads other than telephone, postage, stationery etc. Profits generated from the sale of refreshments & raffles at home matches help towards providing the Players with free post-match hotdogs & juice, half-time oranges at all games and treats at Christmas & Easter etc. If you haven't already donated a prize for the Raffle, please do so asap. Our Kestrels Team are probably one of the most well-equipped in the area with all Players being issued with Tracksuits, Training T-Shirts, Bootbags and Sweatshirts. They also boast a huge range of training equipment including samba goals, hurdles, ladders, slalom poles, football tennis and other fitness equipment (which we might get to use if the weather gets better!). If any Player has outgrown their kit, please see Debbie at training who will swap it for a larger size. Membership Fees are £10 per season (£5 for players who join after the first 6 matches). Weekly SUBS of £2 are due weekly regardless of attendance at training or matches (unless there is no match fixtured and training is cancelled). The Club operates a NO PAY-NO PLAY policy so Players are asked to bring their Subs up-to-date as soon as possible (letters have been issued to those in arrears). Where possible, please bring Subs to training. Kestrels finances as at end Jan 2011 – Current balance £646.87 (not including cash in hand)

INCOME EXPENDITURE

Opening Balance (June 2010) £763.52 Presentation Night & Trophies (2009-10 season) £328.74

Membership & Subs £396.00 Springhill Farm (August 2010) £415.00

Sponsorship & Fundraising £1,828.95 Extra Strips & Kit (incl GKs) £375.46

Family accommodation for Springhill Farm £85.00 Pitch Fees (2010-11 season) £121.00

Clara Vale FC Admin Fee £30.00

CRB Disclosures £30.00

League Fees (2010-11 season) £146.00

Affiliation & Insurance (Durham County FA) £19.40

Referees Fees (paid to date) £85.00

Player Treats (Christmas etc) £51.00

Indoor Training £35.00

Springhill Farm (May 2011) incl balance £449.00

Trophies (2011 season - individual) £241.00

Trophies (2011 season MOM etc anticipated) £100.00

TOTAL £3,073.47 TOTAL £2426.60

As you can see, running a football team doesn’t come cheap. If anyone knows of an organisation or business who would like to sponsor our team, please let Debbie know. We don’t expect their donation to cover the complete cost of a strip etc, just enough to pay for their name to be screen-printed onto the garment and a little extra to subsidise the cost of the kit.

_____________________________________

Clara Vale FC are registered with the TESCO for

Schools and Clubs scheme which provides free equipment. Please hand your vouchers to

Debbie.

KK EE SS TT RR EE LL SS TT EE AA MM FF II NN AA NN CC EE

Although it seems like ages away, preparations for the

EENNDD OOFF SSEEAASSOONN PPRREESSEENNTTAATTIIOONN are already well

under way.

Having thoroughly enjoyed a weekend at Springhill Farm last August, the team wanted their End of Season presentation to take

place there and player accmmodation has already been

paid for the BUNKHOUSE at SPRINGHILL FARM,

Seahouses for Saturday 21st May AND we have already

bought the individual player TROPHIES! At Clara Vale FC

we believe that ALL children should receive quality trophies for their efforts and commitment.

Obviously we are still to order trophies for MOM etc, but we managed to arrange a special

deal on quality, crystal trophies which normally retail at £33 each. They come in a beautiful

presentation box and I’m sure every Player in the Kestrels team will be proud to show it off.

We have hired the whole BUNKHOUSE which

consists of 8 bedrooms (each sleeping 4 – 2 singles

& 1 bunk) with en-suite bathroom, a fully equipped

kitchen/dining area and a large seating area with

TV/DVD and internet access. The balcony looks out

towards Barmburgh Castle and the Farne Islands and

is a lovely place to sit on a summer’s evening. The

players accommodation in the BUNKHOUSE is paid

for from Team funds.

Some parents & siblings have asked to be accommodated in the BUNKHOUSE, others have arranged

other accommodation either in the WIGWAMS available on the campsite, by bringing their own Tents

or Caravans or by making their own arrangements at nearby guesthouses etc. Some parents &

guardians have chosen just to come up for the day, stay for the Presentation and then go home (it's

only just over an hour's drive) – returning the next morning to pick up their child.

Additional accommodation for parents/guardians/siblings in the BUNKHOUSE is to

be paid for at a cost of £14 per adult and £11 per child (under 14 years) per

night. WIGWAMS which sleep up to 5 are also available BUT they have a 2 night

minimum booking which puts the cost up to approximately £74 for the Friday &

Saturday nights. Further details on the accommodation are available at

WWW.SPRINGHILL-FARM.CO.UK

The only thing we ask is that all players are accompanied during the day by at least one parent or guardian (unless they can make arrangements for another parent to take parental

responsibility).

It is looking likely that we will be able to arrange a Friendly Match against Longhoughton Rangers Under 14s who play in the NABC League. They have lovely pitches and a brand new Clubhouse

provided by the Football Foundation and are located near Alnwick.

A draft itinerary is as follows (times are approximate and dependent upon the weather):

• Friendly against Longhoughton Rangers (near Alnwick) about 11am – to be confirmed

• Arrive at Springhill Farm Bunkhouse (1pm)

• A round of crazy golf and some chips (2pm)

• Training & family fun games on the beach (3pm) – weather permitting

• Trip to the Amusements in Seahouses & head back to the Bunkhouse

• End of Season Presentation (7pm)

• Supper (8pm)

• Bedtime (midnight)

• Breakfast (9am)

• Tidy up, pack up and head home about 11am

The following table shows the current allocation of rooms in the BUNKHOUSE and adjacent WIGWAMS – room allocations in the BUNKHOUSE will change as spare places are taken up or if new players are signed. If you wish to

book a wigwam or bring a tent or caravan please contact Debbie as soon as possible as this popular campsite already has bookings for that weekend.

Bunkhouse Room 1

Simon Storey (paid) Debbie Storey (paid)

Bunkhouse Room 5

Matt Psarianos (paid) Derek Lee (paid) Nigel Day (paid)

tbc

Bunkhouse

Room 2

Reece Williams (free)

Liam Maughan (free) Danny Jacobson (free) John Brennan (free)

Bunkhouse

Room 6

tbc

tbc tbc tbc

Bunkhouse Room 3

David Wright (free) Alex Kyle (free)

Adam Dixon (free) tbc

Bunkhouse Room 7

Dimitri Psarianos (free) Ciaran Day (free)

Daniel Storey (free) Josh Turner (free)

Bunkhouse Room 4

Alex Skelton (free) Ryan Anderson (free) Dominic Laws (free) Lee Haslam (free)

Bunkhouse Room 8

Graham Haslem (£14 due) Adam Haslem (paid)

Wigwam 1 Ian Wright (paid) Heather Wright (paid) Andrew Wright (paid)

Wigwam 2 Andrew Maughan (paid) Wendy Maughan (paid)

Please be aware that monies paid will only be refunded if places can be filled. If you have not already confirmed

your requirements for bunkhouse accommodation, please contact Debbie as soon as possible – Players will be given priority. The rooms will change between now & then as we will aim to get the children into rooms of their

own rather than share with parents/guardians but we may have to juggle things a bit if we get more players or

more families/parents wish to be accommodated.

We've talked about getting a NEW

STRIP for months now but most of the

decent suppliers (PROSTAR, NIKE,

UMBRO etc) are having problems

supplying the mix of sizes we require.

So, we have decided that a new

PROSTAR strip will be purchased for

the start of the 2011-12 season and

have registered with MUSICMAGPIE

who will provide us with a FREE strip

which will be used in the case of a

clash at away matches. This strip will

be FREE if we can donate 500 CDs or

DVDs (they need to be in reasonable

condition and have a barcode). Please

sort through all your old CDs and get them to Debbie asap so we can get the

strip ordered.

Bring to any training session or

home match

Clara Vale KeClara Vale KeClara Vale KeClara Vale Kestrelsstrelsstrelsstrels