Information Pack and Contact details
Michaela Goss
21 Woodlands Way,
Broomfield,
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 7TD
chelmerandcrouch@hotmail.co.uk
Dear Secretary/Manager,
The Chelmer and Crouch Youth League offer the unique opportunity for your club to participate in a 9 a-side format football league for Under 11’s and Under 12’s in the 2009/2010 season.
The 9-a-side format has been successfully piloted the last three seasons in Essex by our League with the support and sanction of the E.C.F.A. This format is common in Europe and has also been established in other counties such as Buckinghamshire and Kent, and is widely accepted as the natural progression from Mini-Soccer to 11-a-side in Lancashire.
We believe, and it is generally accepted within most coaching fraternities, that any smaller sided game format promotes skill and general player development due to greater player involvement and the emphasis on technique combined with a proportional physical demand.
The Chelmer and Crouch Youth League believe we deliver this and are actively supporting and participating in the FA’s current study being conducted by the University of Central Lancashire to understand and evaluate the benefits of the 9-a-side format.
Goal Size is 16 x 7 ft
Identified below are a few key aspects of this format that we believe provide the correct environment for teams of all capabilities to develop:
Proportional physical demands to players capability. (It does not become a cross-country running competition ending up with this being the major influence on the game’s outcome)
Progression in goal size to 16ft x 7ft. (Mini Soccer 12ft x 6ft, traditional
11-a-side 21ft x 7ft).
Goalkeepers swamped by the increase in goal size. The phrase “don’t worry they will grow into them” is not a valid argument. Good goalkeeping techniques will have an influence on goals scored.
This is an accepted and proven philosophy of all formats that aid development of the players involved
We have found from our experiences historically and from feedback received from our member clubs that this step was a natural and easy progression, allowing continued player development.
We have attached some additional supporting literature and an
application form to join our League. If you have any questions please contact
any of the League’s officers stated in the attached literature.
New clubs to our league will need to send in the attached Registration form with a initial £10 deposit per Club (cheque made payable to chelmer and crouch youth league please) on successful election a further £40 deposit which makes up a £50 deposit (which is returnable in the event of your club leaving the league) and £60 per season per team for season 2009/2010.
We support the FA’s strategy of informed choice on the way forward for all teams at the under 11/12 age group, and aim to advise clubs of the benefits of this format.
Information Pack and Contact details
What people have said !!!
Sir Trevor Brooking said:
“I'd
like to wish the new Chelmer and Crouch 9v9 League the best of luck. It is
vitally important that young players in this country receive a quality
introduction to the game. I am interested, as I know the Essex FA is, to see
how this new league may support the development of greater movement, agility,
balance and coordination of players, with fewer players on a smaller pitch
hopefully getting more touches of the ball.”
Alan Pardew, says:
“This is a
potentially groundbreaking initiative for Essex football. Nine a-side football
gives these younger players more freedom to develop their skills at a vital
time of their footballing education. Essex football, and West Ham FC, stand to
benefit immensely from this approach – which has long been practiced on the
continent. I urge local teams to get behind Chelmer and Crouch and any other
Essex league with enough courage to push kids football into the 21st
Century.”
Goal Procurement and Dimensions for 9 a-side
The FA and the League have worked closely with Goal Manufacturers and has now been successful in the 16 x 7 ft Goals being the standard used in the 9v9 format as agreed by the FA, they have now been through their various BS safety checks and are now on the FA Goal Foundation Website for clubs to purchase through their 50% funding scheme. More info at www.thefa.com or on our website www.chelmerandcrouchyouthleague.org.uk
The Diagram below shows the approximate relative dimension of the 9 a-side goals, relative to Mini Soccer and Youth Football goals as defined by FA recommendations.
What the League are
doing to Support Members and Organisations !!!
Development Initiatives
The
Chelmer and Crouch Youth League are actively involved in understanding the
advantages this format delivers for the development of the grass roots football
in this area and across England. We are currently supporting a F.A. sponsored
study at the University of Central Lancashire.
Pitches
The
league has liaised with the Chelmsford Borough Council to facilitate pitches
that comply with the League’s requirements. This has enabled Chelmsford City,
Fennlands United, Focus Ferrers and Wilvale Rangers to acquire the use of a 2
Pitches for this format within the Borough this season 1 with permanent Fixed
Goals at Saltcoates Park in South Woodham Ferreres and from Next season there
will be 3 pitches and another set of Permanent Goals installed at Beaulieu Park
in Chelmsford. All other Clubs have managed to facilitate pitches through
innovative marking and utilising the advantages of portable goals and by
acquiring use of schools and other venues such as Cricket and Hockey grounds.
Results of matches can be reported not only in the traditional
method by telephone, but also by email or text as well. The website is usually
updated on the Monday following the matches so that all teams are able to keep
up-to-date with results and league tables. Another aim of the league is to keep
all teams informed of fixtures well in advance of the match day via the website
and direct emails to teams where appropriate.
Tournament and Friendlies
The league will facilitate friendly games for any clubs interested
in trying the 9-a-side format.
Chelmer and Crouch Youth League and the committee are discussing the
possibility of a tournament this year.
Club Liaison Officer
The members are welcomed to contact League officials at any time,
but the members also have a dedicated Liaison officer
Contact Us:
Mark Fletcher (Club Liaison
Officer)
Tel:- 01245 356230 evenings 07729 933124
daytime
Michaela Goss (Hon. Sec) (on
email below)
Chris Shurmur (Chairman)
Tel:- 01245 324714
Or Email:- ChelmerandCrouch@hotmail.co.uk