The Football Association define a school to club link as “a process to assist a young person to move from participating in PE and Sport in school to moving into an FA Charter Standard Club”
Through the School-Club Link programme, Oxfordshire County FA aims to:
* Increase the number of young people, aged 5-16 years old, playing on a regular basis in an FA Charter Standard, Community or Ability Counts programme
* Increase the number of FA Charter Standard and Community clubs
* Increase the provision of girls football in Oxfordshire schools
* Develop sustainable partnerships between schools and FA Charter Standard clubs
Before the end of the academic school year 07/08 a meeting was held between Jo Simpson (Primary link teacher), Pam Selby (School sports coordinator), Mark Hawtin and Graham Nutt (Kidlington Girls FC) and Vicky Bonham (Women and girls football development officer) to discuss a school-club link, focusing on the development of girl’s football in Kidlington schools.
Sessions started in September at West Kidlington School with over 30 children participating from years 3-6. Four schools took part in the programme including Edward Field, Thomas Moore, and North Kidlington. Club coaches led the sessions with the assistance of Jack Johnson, a qualified coach and student from Oxford and Cherwell Valley College.
With the nights drawing in, sessions were moved to Gosford Hill School’s all weather pitch, a central venue for all those participating. On a cold Friday afternoon, the girl’s were enjoying an after-school session which included shooting, dribbling and defending. Evlyn, who has never played football before was asked what she liked about the sessions. Excitedly she responded “we get to play matches” Another one of the players agreed and said “I have learnt how to score goals, how to dribble and I feel more confident playing football”.
Jack Johnson who has helped out with the sessions said “The girl’s listen more than the boys, they are enthusiastic to learn and always try their best”. The sessions have been a real success, club coaches Graham Nutt and Nick Birks commented on the girl’s enthusiasm even on the cold winter nights. “The programme has been amazing” stated Graham, “you can see the improvements in the player’s skill and awareness of the game, and the sessions have been fun”.
With the schools support and Mrs Simpson’s lead, all the children have been able to attend the majority of the sessions even with the venue change. All the players involved with the sessions have been awarded with a certificate and England women’s team photograph and have had it presented in assembly.
The success of this school club link has seen six girl's join Kidlington Girls FC. The club is now setting up an under 9's team after christmas. Any girls interested in joining the club should contact Mark.hawtin@btinternet.com or visit www.kidlingtonyouthfc.co.uk for more details.
A big Thank you to Gosford Hill School for accommodating the sessions and to West Kidlington primary link teacher Jo Simpson, School sports coordinator Pam Selby and club coach Mark Hawtin for their organisation and Kidlington Girls FC coaches; Steve Haynes, Graham Nutt and Nick Birks for giving up their time and providing girl’s with a positive and fun football experience.
The FA School–Club Link Programme is football’s commitment to the delivery of the Physical Education and School Sport Club Links (PESSCL) strategy document, which sets out to ensure that all children, whatever their circumstances or abilities, should be able to participate in and enjoy physical education and sport. If your school or club would like to be involved with the School club link programme, please contact Vicky via email Vicky.bonham@oxfordshirefa.com or telephone 01993 894402.