Norristhorpe Stars
Under 7’s Newsletter – Number 1 (Oct ’07)

Welcome to the first “Norristhorpe Stars” Newsletter. I will attempt to publish these as often as possible, but only when there is something of particular interest to everybody.

First of all, at the risk of becoming boring, can I say a big thanks to all of you parents for giving your support to the boys, and to me; I’m new to this as well and it’s appreciated.
You will have noticed that so far I have had the policy of playing a different team in each half (with the exception of the mighty Bradders); this of course gives everyone an equal time on the pitch. I now feel however, that as we are hitting the competitive games, and let’s face it, no matter what anyone says, we all like to win & perhaps more importantly, so will the opposition.
Therefore I think that each game will have to be assessed on its own merits, & if I feel we need to score an extra goal or two, or for example, shore up the defence, some additional rotation of substitutes may have to take place. I hope, believe & trust that you will all agree & support me on this matter.

Well so far, so good. I think we have the basis of a winning team, only time will tell of course but I believe that we can “hold our own” amongst the best of the local “B” teams.
I personally feel that all of you can see where your particular child might be lacking slightly in certain areas & obviously it is far too difficult to train so many different skills to so many different individuals. That’s where you guys come in, in the first instance, when you are having a kick about at home, for example, if your child can only kick with one foot, please encourage him to try and use the other. If his attention is lacking, see what you can do to keep him focused during the game or if he would rather look the other way to avoid a tackle, try and impress how important it can be to make that tackle. It could be a match winner.

Honours
We already have the Captain’s armband of course which is hotly contested but we also have a couple of trophies coming. I felt that rather than make the trophy(s) a weekly prize, we would have them as monthly winners. Therefore we will soon have a “Player of the Month” & perhaps more importantly, a “Most Improved Player of the Month”, which although it must, for obvious reasons, be shared around a little, I think that it would be good if the parents joined me in the vote. Both these trophies would be handed out & kept for the month and then returned ready for the next incumbent, let me know what you think.

Volunteers
I know that already, most of you Dad’s & brothers in particular, enjoy having a kick about with the boys before training or a match. I would like to know if anybody fancies making that a little more of a permanent arrangement. I’m looking for an assistant coach to help me with warm ups etc. That’s about as demanding as it gets, unless of course you want to take it any further. All it would mean is a CRB check; we can arrange all the forms for that, and the investment in a pair of shorts & boots. Another reason for asking for this is that during the month of November I am taking my Level 1 coaching course with the FA and as such will not be available for training for 3 weeks. The other guys will of course look after all the boys but it might be nice for one or two of you to get involved as well. Once again let me know if you have any thoughts.

Good to see Patrick taking up the whistle last week, I think he did a cracking job & as far as I’m concerned if he (or another of the parents / helpers) would like to ref. all my games, I would be more than happy. As a home team, we have to provide the ref. for all fixtures & it’s so much easier if I don’t have to do it. There’s lot of paperwork to fill in with the opposition before the match can kick off & the boys obviously need to be warmed up (hence my previous point about an assistant or two).

Cont/

Another point on the “volunteers” front is that we have a section on the Norristhorpe web site. (www.norristhorpe-soccer.net) which is available to us to post any match reports, upload pictures and generally mention anything that might be of interest to any of the other parents or teams, both within our club or further afield.
If there is anybody who is computer literate, and let’s face it most of us are nowadays, please have a look at the site, particularly “The Thunder” section & if you fancy making it your own little project, let me know & we’ll give it a go. The club as a whole would like us to be able to organise this.

Christmas Party
We are trying to organise a Christmas Party for all four under 7 teams & Gails’ “littlies”, we are looking for a suitable venue at the moment and as soon as we have something arranged, you will be the first to know……………After Santa of course, who is rumoured to be putting in an appearance when we tell him when & where.

We are currently awaiting the next set of fixtures which will take us through the next few weeks but the next couple of games are away at Raistrick on Sunday 14th with a home game against Shelf the following week. I will of course be issuing maps to all away games. My personal preference is that we should all arrange to meet at the venues as opposed to following each other in convoy, we’re bound to lose somebody. Once again. Let me know what you think.

If anybody has any points they would like to raise, please feel free. We can only do this with everybody’s help and feedback is a wonderful thing. I think you all have my number, if I don’t answer, “please leave a message and I’ll get back to you”. I would far rather discuss any concerns you might have, either with me or the system & attempt to resolve all issues quickly & correctly without “falling out”. Lets always remember, were in this together & there is after all only one reason why we’re doing all this.

Thanks once again for all your support &
COME ON YOU STARS!

Cheers
Adrian