The Invincibles of grass roots
This is what grass roots means
Saturday morning 8:45am Carville Hall Park North and Spartans Chairman Mark Stow is on the Club’s mower cutting the grass, Elsewhere, other coaches are setting up mini goals, marking areas with cones and generally preparing for the morning training session.
One of the coaches is Coach Brandon who is in charge of the U7s, soon to become next season’s U8s.
This time last year the team did not exist but it was clear from numbers turning up every Saturday that a team could be formed.
Plans were made and, thanks to the generosity of Bees United, a brand new kit was purchased.
Context!
The Spartans teams play in the Harrow Youth League (HYL). At U7 level the matches are five-a-side on a smaller pitch and reduced size goals. A team would normally have three subs and these would all be used throughout the game. Whilst all scores are recorded and sent to the League, no league tables are produced for the junior ages. The idea being to introduce the basics of the game without a competitive element.
Enjoyment rather than winning is the key.
At Christmas time the junior sections of the HYL have a break. The League then look at results and decide whether a team that is winning every week should be moved up a division. In the same way if a team is losing they may be moved to a division where they can compete more fairly.
This did not slow them down and they remained undefeated throughout the season. Apart from the HYL fixtures they also played friendlies against U8s and beat them!
Their final season record was P32 W32 Goals scored 232 Goals conceded 70
This was a group that at the start upon formation were 6 years of age. Coach Brandon described the first few training sessions as “like trying to herd cats”. However, his philosophy of letting the players be comfortable on the ball and enjoying all aspects has certainly paid off. He speaks to his players and tells them that these training sessions are a “School for football where we will have fun but we will learn”. All the boys in the team live in and around the Brentford area.
Thanks again to the generosity of Bees United for the assistance in purchasing of the kit.
Once again, I cannot emphasise enough the pride that the boys (and parents) feel as they run out in identical kit complete with Club badge and numbers!
They will be wearing their kit proudly next season as Spartans Youth FC U8s!
HEADLINE
The Bees United Community Fund has donated to the Spartans for next season.
They asked if we could help provide first aid gear for each squad and attendance on the higher level first aid training courses for the senior coaches