ALBURY EAGLES Football Club

The formation of a new youth football league in Surrey is formally announced today.

The South Surrey Youth Football League (SSYFL) will provide a framework for teams for all age groups from under 6 to under 16 years. The guiding principle of the league will be to provide a structure that gives top priority to the continuous development of each and every player’s skills and performance in line with FA best practice.

In particular this means the provision of 9 v 9 leagues for the under 11 to under 14 age groups, which is the FA recommended format for these ages, as it provides a far better environment for player development than the 11 v 11 format. In particular, the 9 v9 format operates within pitch and goals sizes that better match the physical attributes of the players and increases the opportunities for each player to gain the ‘time on the ball’ that is fundamental to the development of their skills and confidence.

Mini-soccer format will be operated for younger age groups and under 15s and above will use the full 11 v 11 format.

SSYFL is the first league in the area to support competitive football in the 9 v 9 format and in recognition of this the league has not set any strict geographic limitations on eligibility of clubs to ensure that as far as possible any teams in the area wishing to benefit from it will be able to do so.

At the present time, it is anticipated that about 20 clubs will participate in the league during the first season and that there will be several divisions within most age groups from under 9s upwards.

In line with the philosophy on which the league is based, SSYFL will be seeking to achieve FA Chartered League status at the earliest opportunity.

For further information, please contact Gary Williams, League Secretary (email ewhurst.jfc@hotec.co.uk, telephone 07976 803 760) or Vincent Wells, League Chairman (email vwells@amina-products.com, telephone 07802 777 418

Albury Eagles World Cup Fun Day was well attended on Sunday 20^th June on Albury Heath, as the club celebrated another successful season with tournaments in three age groups, a Hog Roast and several stalls. It is projected that the day raised over £1000 towards club funds.

The season’s awards were also presented, for teams’ Top Scorer, Player’s Player and Manager’s Player.

The winners of the Golden Boot Awards, given for the highest goal scoring tally in their respective leagues went to: Sam Moldon (Under 10 Eagles) Tadworth League, 27 goals, and to Jamie Bloomfield (U11 Eagles) Horsham League, 32 goals.

Particular thanks to Jim Owen and Sarah Savage for organizing such a splendid event.

Everyone is preparing to get away for a week or two during the next couple of months, but there is still quite a bit to do behind the scenes.

July is the time of year when Horsham League players are registered, so, a reminder to all those players that we now need application forms (available on website download), passport sized photographs, and for new players to the league, a copy of their birth certificate.

The new season kicks off at Albury Eagles on Saturday 4^th September, with the first matches in the Horsham League, and, weekly training beginning again on Saturday mornings.

Players should have registered their intention to play with us this season by then, by simply completing an application form, and sending to Sarah Savage who is handling all ‘subs’ this season.

Play in the Tadworth League begins at the end of September, and we shall be supplying sides to this competition from U8 through to U10 age groups.

As you will see from the head of this newsletter, the South Surrey Youth Football League, which concentrates on 9-a-side play also kicks off in September, and it will be fascinating to see how this new direction within our local game develops.

Looking to next season, we expecting the following teams to be participating…..

Nb. U14s and 13s look like having reduced numbers, due to player shortages at these age groups.

Any players interested in getting involved here should apply to the Club Secretary in the first instance.

for the 2010/11 season

Albury Eagles FC has been awarded a Grow-the-Game grant from the Football Foundation of £5,000 over 3 years. This is to launch an adult football side this season (2010/11) and then a Youth side (u16-u18) in 2011/12, when Mark Hurman’s current u16 team will be eligible to play. The purpose of the grant is to build on the success of AEFC and provide a bridge, via a youth team, into senior football. In the long-term we don’t really expect to run more than 1-2 sides per group, and the main aim is simply to provide continuous football in the Tillingbourne Valley area for youngsters,

through to adults.

The grant break-down is £2K, £2.5K and £0.5K for the 3 years, and can be used to support a range of activities within specified limits e.g. pitch/training hire, coaching courses, hire of FA coaches, Referee fees, affiliation fees, promotion & recruitment etc. In practice, this will help keep costs down while the two sides steadily establish themselves, and also enhance the facilities offered e.g. introducing some external coaching sessions, using a better training or match pitch. For the adult team, the aim this season is for 15 or so friendly fixtures (though an unofficial cup or mini-league can be agreed between opponents to give a competition feel), and then entry into the Surrey & Hants Border League in 2011/12.

So we need your help. Firstly, to join the side as a playing member, if you have interest and ability – in which case note that the inaugural year membership is at the reduced rate of £25 with 3 free training sessions. It is possible to play senior football at 16+ years, so we are also keen to see younger players come forward. Secondly, to volunteer help (whether or not playing) by recruiting adult members, suggesting fixtures and actively supporting the team in practical ways.

We welcome all comments and suggestions, so please apply for an application form and email back. If you require more information first then please ring or email.

Kind regards

Richard Cawker

Tel: 01483 561399 (H)
020-7433-2853 (O)
j.owen@ucl.ac.uk
Have a great summer everybody, and we look forward to seeing you all again in September..