Hello everyone and welcome all to my second monthly Chairman's report. As mentioned in last months edition, the process for these are to allow everyone the opportunity to see what as a club we are doing both on but most importantly off the pitch.

Breaking News

With the size of our youth section now at the club, we have an ever growing concern of child safety over dog fouling on the pitches. You may of seen the social media campaign we tried to get out to the local community and further a field and I must say we had such a positive response, to which we took to the 'social club' and I'm please to say they have fully backed us to try and prevent dog walking within the fields of the PBA.

The fields with be plastered with NO DOGS ALLOWED signs as well as all fences and gates around the fields getting repaired, with our committee sanctioning these repairs. We as a club are not 'anti dogs', but we just want the area to be safe for local kids to enjoy this wonderful game. 

We will get some challenges but I would like to think the majority of dog walkers will respect our club and what we are doing in the community for our 200+ kids and those from visiting teams. More news to follow on in the coming weeks.

Potential Job Vacancy

As a club we are missing a trick every weekend on a Saturday/Sunday morning with refreshments on matchdays. Not only is this a way to make money for our children, but more importantly, it's nice just to have a coffee while enjoying the football on show from our kids. We have tried to do this alongside the social club, but it just hasn't been as successful as we wanted, so we are to do this on are own and actively looking for someone who can do the following most weekends.

• SATURDAY (10.00am - 13.00pm)
• SUNDAY (10.00am - 15.00pm)

If anyone would be interested in this or likewise if anyone has any suggestions or ideas around this by all means please bring them to the committees attention. 

Social Media

This is massive for a club like ours and the more exposure we get of the work we do the better rewards for all involved. Although, we want you to show how proud you are of our players, we do have strict guidelines we have to follow as a club. As most of our wonderful parents know, posting scores across personal social media accounts is NOT ALLOWED in foundation phase football matches, due to it not being competitive. As we grow, we have new parents coming on board all the time, who are not aware of this, so this is a polite reminder for everyone as it can actually land the club in some trouble with the Gloucestershire FA.

This applies to all the following age groups.

• Soccer tots 
• U6s
• U7s
• U8s
• U9s
• U10s.

We are not asking you not to share how proud you are of your child's individual achievements what we are asking is to be mindful how you word this on social media.
Example

Team Updates 

Soccer Tots, U6, U7, U8

During February, you would of seen the launch of our new 'Foundation Phase Policy', on our website that directly affects our soccer tots, U6s, U7s and U8s, starting fully in time for the 2019-20 season. Headed by Chris George, all the coaches involved with the foundation age groups are all on board with this policy with the main focus ensuring your children have the best journey possible whilst at our club but enabling them to progress.

I am personally backing what the coaches are trying to create here for your children and I very much hope you as parents will give the coaches the support they need for this to be a success.

I recently had the pleasure of taking our U6s session on a Monday evening outside at St.Bedes and I have to say what a talented bunch of children we have for there age. Their behaviour with me was exceptional, they were fully engaged in my session and were all brave to try their skills they have been learning as well as having fun fun fun. Credit to all the coaches involved with this age group.

Other Age Groups

I would like to wish good luck to all the teams in competing in there 3rd trophy event of the season (U9s, U10s, U11s) I have been following all the teams results to date and I am looking forward to getting round as many games as I can where possible.

We are nearing the business end of the season with our U12s/U14s/U18s all competing to win there respected leagues with our U18s still in the league cup, so the double is very much on and we are all hoping they can match last seasons success. Good luck to these teams and I look forward to hearing about the outcomes of how the season finishes. 

Coaches Update

I would like to announce a new coach for our U13s, George Stewart. George has a wealth of coaching experience and it has been great getting to know him and watching him work. Because of this appointment, I will be stepping away from this age group at the end of the season, but we are still looking for one or two parents to come on board and assist him as this team moves forward into U14s

Congratulations to Matt Daley, who has been working within our U9 set up. He has recently completed his FA Level 1 course and now working with a newly formed U9 squad...our third in this age category.

As previously mentioned anyone interested in getting into coaching please contact you child's manager to alternatively contact your coach representatives Tom Lawlor or me directly. 

Clothing & Kits Update

We are getting there... The plan is to order everything via our website but as it currently stands there is an issue which has yet been resolved. I expect this to be completed by the time I write my next report.

Key Dates

• 18th May 2019 - Presentation
• 29th & 30th June 2019 - Our tournament
• 06th December 2019 - Xmas Party

Coach/Parent Rep

Tom Lawlor 07501 012055

Sponsorship 2019-2020

As a club we are always actively seeking sponsorship for training equipment, match day equipment, coaching development etc. If anyone has any potential sponsors please get contact with any of the committee members to discuss in more depth.

• Van Papantoniou - Chairman (07793413943)
• Sean Palmer - Treasurer (07958195480)
• Chris George - Welfare Officer 07879291339
• Tom Lawlor - Coach/Parent Rep 07501012055
• Tom Lees - Social Media Rep 07990280118