The current U9s will move up to U10s and will continue to play 7 a side development football. The plan is to run four playing squads, Lions, Pride, Hoops and Rangers.
Our aim will be to lessen the gap in the standard of play between the squads. Therefore the selection process will be based on player’s ability and attitude, and also their attendance record at training, albeit with Sheen Lions or an outside professional club. Players not attending training regularly will not be considered. “No train…no game” club policy comes into effect.
If there’s enough demand, those players that are not offered a place in the playing squads, will be offered a place in our Cubs squad. However, these players would be registered with the League so that should an opportunity arise to give them match play, they are eligible to play League fixtures. They would be expected to train regularly. Should volunteer parents offer to run this squad as a playing squad, the club would consider this once the season is underway.
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. Should you reject the offer made, you would then of course be at liberty to look for football for you child elsewhere.
Next season the U10s will train on Saturday 10.45 – 12.15pm 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.