February newsletter

Dear player and parents   Welcome to 2005!  Apologies for not having communicated sooner, I can’t believe it is already February!   Firstly, I would like to begin by saying thank you to players and their families.  With school and commitments to a variety of other clubs, I know that getting up early and racing between venues can be testing at times, but it is appreciated; in fact I am sure the boys continuously thank you for your efforts!   With regards to the season so far, I could not be more pleased.  After last year’s group, I thought it would be difficult to find another bunch of lads who would get on so well and be such a pleasure to coach.  Well, so far so good.  The boys have shown good manners and a high level of enthusiasm and commitment.  In addition, the football played at times has been of the highest standard for this age group.  What is pleasing is that the team has rarely stayed the same with various players missing games but not being ‘missed’; the boys really are a squad.  Yes, results have been good, but I hope that you, like I, have enjoyed the fluency of their passing game, the individual skill, and the growing understanding between them all.  More of the same please!   Coaching Recently in training we have focused on decision making and anticipation as well as the usual SAQ and ball familiarization exercises.  The boys have been encouraged to observe the scene around them and make a decision before the ball has arrived; they have found this very difficult, but we shall persist.    I will also be working on individual techniques to beat players using a series of Coerver initiated practices.  This will be integrated with various keeping possession drills.   Year 5 development squad I am pleased to announce that we have chosen a select group of year 5 pupils to participate in a development squad in preparation for next year.  You may recognize the names of some of them, they are a nice bunch so far…   Marc Canham and Neil Saunders are running a new initiative of Futsal training with the boys, and I hope that by the end of the season they will give the year 6 boys a good run for their money.  If you know of any year 5 footballers who might make the grade then please let me know.   Running analysis Back in December I conducted a running analysis of all the boys present at training.  There were specific reasons for this.  Firstly, a better running style will improve performance.  Secondly, it will also help prevent injury.  The boys are at an age where coordination and strength will alter continuously.  If they can get through this process having been made aware of their own tendencies as well as having been shown the correct method, I am convinced that they will become better sportsmen for it.  The test was done with the aid of video analysis and an assessment drawn up by sprint coaches at the University of Bath.  I will try and find time in the near future to discuss the results and go through the footage with individuals.   Fitness scores Also attached is a list of bleep test scores.  For those unaware the bleep test is a multistage fitness test which measures endurance.  The boys were required to run 20 meter shuttles to a series of bleeps.  The test progresses with the bleeps sounding with increasing frequency.  We shall complete the test again shortly before going to Jersey.     Jersey I have recently had the details for Jersey.  We are delighted with the uptake:   Clarke Samuel Daniels Harry Davies Joseph Grappy Paris Jacobs Alexander McNulty Milo Moore Ryan Neil Jack Norris Bradley Rowlands Jack Smithies Jamie Wills Charlie Scott Kristian Mc Cormick Cas Wightman George     Flight times and dates:   Southampton – Jersey               26th March       1120-1205 Jersey – Southampton               2nd April           1130 - 1215   Final payment of £300.00 is due by February 28th 2005   Finer details will be given in a meeting nearer the time   Fixtures The fixture list has been a slight headache this year with many fixtures having been postponed or cancelled for one reason or another – this is unavoidable at times I am afraid.  However, I shall try and get a new fixture list on the website asap.  Next week’s game against Poole is looking unlikely to be played.   Results of Beep Test   Surname Forename Squad numbers Bleep Jan 05 Clarke Samuel 10 8.8 Daniels Harry 18 9.3 Davies Joseph 3 7.2 Grappy Paris 4 8.1 Hedges Lee 5 absent Jacobs Alexander 7 absent Marks  Andrew 6 8.6 McNulty Milo 9 7.6 Moore Ryan 11 7.4 Neil Jack 12 9.6 Norris Bradley 8 8.6 Oswin William 14 absent Rowlands Jack 15 8.2 Smithies  Jamie 17 absent Wills Charlie 16 absent Scott Kristian 13 7.7 Mc Cormick Cas 2 absent Wightman George 1 absent