In the New Year we will enter three playing squads, Lions and Pride and Hoops, into the Surrey Youth League competition playing on a Sunday.
Our intention will be to to have similar standards of play from each squad. The selection process will be based on player’s ability, attitude, and also their attendance record at training. Players not attending training regularly will not be considered. “No train…no game” club policy comes into effect.
Those players that are not offered a place in the playing squads, will have a place in our Cubs squad. These players will be registered with the League so that should an opportunity arise to give them match play, they are eligible to play League fixtures. They will be expected to train regularly.
It should be understood that at this age it is Sunday League development football, and as with all the age groups that play development football, players can freely move across from squad to squad. This is something the club encourages so that we can assess individual development.
Players develop at very different rates so flexibility is all important. To be clear, and as an example, being registered as a Lion player does not necessarily mean that a player will play exclusively for that team. If the player is asked to play for another squad they would be expected to do so. It may be because we want to see them play at a different level or position, or it may simply be availability issues and they are needed to help fulfil a fixture for that squad. We may move players for training purposes too. We trust parents will support this as refusal would be considered to be against the club’s ethos.
Over the coming weeks managers and coaches will be working together to make those all important decisions regarding selection. It is important your child attends training regularly should you want them to be considered for the match squads.
For the remainder of the season the U8s will continue to train on Saturday 9.00 – 10.30am on Palewell Common. It is mandatory that Club training attire, football boots and shin pads are worn.
The club looks forward to running a very successful age group.
Sarah Street
Club Secretary