After a busy summer, this weekend sees the opening games of the 2019/20 season for most of our teams. From under 7s to under 16s, including girls and pan disability, we have a total of 29 teams representing the club this season.
Don’t forget at mini soccer, which is under 7s to under 11s, the games are non competitive with 100% of the focus on players having fun and longer term development over results. Results at these age groups must not be published, this includes posting scores on Facebook.
For our older teams, everyone will be hoping for a positive start to the league campaign and for good runs in cup competitions.
Referees are learning the game too. Most grassroots referees are children and are learning the game, many will be just starting their journey as qualified referees. This season referees who are under 18 will wear yellow arm bands to signify their age. Respect the referee, this is grassroots football not the Premier League.
Sin bins will be used this season for the first time for dissent. Please make your children aware that undermining or questioning the referee’s decision will result in them sitting out of the game for a period of time, leaving the team a player down.
Most of all, please remember:
Let the children play
Let the coaches coach
Let the referees referee
Let them make mistakes, let them make their own decisions, that’s how players learn and develop.
#WeOnlyDoPositive
Words: Liam Whitehead
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