ESFA Newsletter - Friday 7th December 2007
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Chairman Gerry Smith
The English Schools season is now in full flow with many competitions in rounds four or five. On Monday 3rd December I will be making the draw for the fifth round of the ESFA Trophy comprising of sixteen teams. This draw will be divided into eight northern teams and eight southern teams. Congratulations to all districts that have reached this stage of the competition and good luck in your next game.
November has been an active month in many of the ESFA activities competitions. In the first weekend of November I attended the South West Regional Under18 England Trials.
A squad of sixteen were selected, as were squads from the North, South East and the Midlands to compete in the Regional games during the weekend of the 10th /11th November. I witnessed two very competitive trials with 64 committed players all striving for selection to the final 32 places at the first Lillishall Weekend in December. Many thanks to all colleagues who helped stage these games and to Tony Martin and his management team who attended all the regional trials and games prior to the final selection. The names of the squad are listed on the ESFA website and they will be assembling at Lillishall on December 7th. Congratulations to all the boys concerned, I look forward to meeting you in the future.
I also worked with Tony Martin at RAF base Brize Norton in Oxford to promote the ESFA / RAF association during a coaching day with 40 local boys and girls. As sponsors of the Under 16 competitions the RAF are keen to involve the communities near a number of their bases. Local schools benefit from good quality coaching and the RAF use these opportunities to promote careers education. I really enjoyed this occasion and many thanks to Tony and other ESFA coaches who worked on behalf of the ESFA during these promotional days.
During my year as Chairman I will be the guest of the FA on a number of occasions. In early November I was invited to attend the Under I6 Victory Shield match against Wales at Telford. Prior to the game I spent some time with the manager Kenny Swain, his management team and the players. The game resulted in a 2-0 win for England in front of a crowd of 3000. With a previous draw against Northern Ireland and a win 2-1 last Thursday against Scotland the English boys won the Victory Shield outright. Congratulations to the boys in this development squad. They were a credit to manager Kenny Swain, the FA and of course to their schools and the ESFA.
I was also present at Wembley when England lost to Croatia. This result and subsequent replacement of the England manager will undoubtedly have repercussions for all involved at grass roots level. The ESFA in conjunction with its professional partners will be asked to examine its structures and its ethos to ensure young players are receiving the appropriate football education in their formative years.
Opinions differ as to when young players should be introduced to competition and when the transition from mini games to 11 aside should be made. This issue and others relating to the provision of football at school and district level will need local and national debate to ensure the ESFA is not isolated in future grass root plans made by the FA. Membership will be informed of any future initiatives that need to involve school, district, county or a national voice in future discussions.
At the recent Council meeting it was my pleasure to congratulate and welcome David Gent as the new Council Member to represent Area F. David has been a prominent figure in Newbury Primary Schools Association for many years. I am sure David will be an asset to the Council and will contribute to debate and discussion to the benefit of the Association.
Finally, can I thank all colleagues who volunteer their time and expertise for the benefit of boys and girls in schools and a plea to ensure games are played by due dates, results are given to head office and that rules are checked prior to games being played. Losing a game by default or the toss of a coin at this stage of the season is not the type of experience young players want. If they lose let us ensure it’s on the pitch.
Have a good break during the Christmas holiday and I wish you all a happy Christmas.
Gerry Smith.
Chairman
Chief Executive’s Update
Our older members might remember one of our old friends from the SSFA (Scottish Schools' F.A.)
Connell Duggan: Teacher immersed in youth football
Connell Duggan, schoolteacher and football coach: born Winchburgh, West Lothian 19 August 1937; Member, Livingston Development Corporation 1968-76; Deputy Head, St Augustine's RC High School, Edinburgh 1979-92, Headmaster 1992-96; President, Scottish Schools Football Association 1985-87; married 1966 Teresa Clair (two sons, one daughter); died West Calder, Midlothian 22 October 2007
Published: 12 December 2007
Health Warning!!!
I have received a number of very disturbing reports that teachers / coaches / managers have been seen smoking on the touchline at schools football matches. May I remind you that, as well as being against the principle of healthy living is also against the law. Smoking in a public place was banned by the Government in July of this year. A football match constitutes a ‘public place’. I would urge those people who desire to smoke whilst in charge of a school / district / county team to desist from the practice and show a good example to our young players.
Affiliations
Council
We were particularly pleased to welcome David Gent, Newbury & District Primary Schools’ Football Association, onto Council to represent Area F. As all AGM attendees will appreciate, Council will be kept on their toes in future!
It is now the time for Area H to become more nationally friendly and support the Governing Body by nominating a colleague to come onto Council to represent their Area. The more people involved at National level means less work for each individual.
Competitions
I must apologize for a number of results that have not been placed onto the ESFA Website. Mike and Darren tell me that the ‘blip’ was caused by sheer weight of numbers and the fact that the Competitions Department has been running one member of staff light since August. We hope to have the staff issue resolved early in the New Year.
The website continues to improve and shows all the draws for this season. We are continually improving the site so if you haven’t had a look recently, please do so: www.esfa.co.uk A new look front page has been designed and looks very professional.
As we enter the New Year we introduce a number of District and County winners into the National rounds of our competitions. It is imperative that all Schools, Districts and Counties follow the progression of their competitions on the website.
I am sure that you are all aware that there has been a considerable media backlash towards schools’ football in the wake of the England team’s demise. (How can that be our fault? Let’s hope that Fabio can do a better job?) I have had a number of discussions with the Chairman and Officers, which followed a presentation I gave to Council on the future. We will be asking Council in January to agree the following 3 initiatives:
- County Schools’ FA Secretaries and invited District Secretaries Meetings in the 4 Regions. In late January / early February.
- A complete review of our National Competition Structure
- A press release restating the values, ethos and philosophy of schools’ football. Confirmation of our backing for the Sir Trevor Brooking Skills Coach and the introduction of age appropriate football.
Of course, this philosophy will require schools and local authorities to provide the necessary facilities, however especially in our Primary schools’, facilities already exist for the provision of small sided games.
Coaching and International Selection
It is hoped to announce the successful candidates for the Under 18 International Assistant Manager and Goalkeeper Coach positions after the Council meeting on 5 January 2008.
The squad of 32 players has had their first training weekend, which went very well apart from the atrocious weather conditions.
I am sure that everyone will know by now that the game at Wembley against Scotland has been confirmed for Saturday 26th April 2008. The International schools match will be preceded by the National Primary Finals and a Celebrity match. Full details and ticket application forms can be obtained from the office on 01785 785970. Each area of the country has been allocated a Ticket coordinator and again details of these coordinators can be gained from the office.
If the thought of traveling from the far north is a daunting prospect, please consider supporting schools’ football by bringing a large party to the Stadium of Light, Sunderland Football Club, for the Centenary Shield International against the Republic of Ireland on Friday 18th April (7.00pm Kick off). Ticket information can be obtained from Geoff Wainwright of the Durham County Schools’ FA, on 0191 416 1235.
To complete the Centenary Shield programme the international team will travel to Haverfordwest for the Welsh game on Friday 4th April (Kick off 7.00pm) and to Glenavon for the Northern Ireland match on Monday 10th March.
Mixed Football (repeat)
The Football Association, under pressure from the Government, has agreed to investigate the age restrictions to mixed football currently in force in this country. Any junior league which has players up to the age of 14 and above the age of 11 and within the current age group banding (no more than 2 years) may apply to their County FA for permission to play up to 4 girls in any one team for the season 2007-2008 only. If there are a number of leagues in each county applying for this dispensation, the County FA may restrict the number of Leagues given this dispensation. Boys are still restricted to boys’ leagues and may not play in girls’ football.
The Football Association will:
- 1. Monitor the number of girls who actually register and play for boys’ teams.
- 2. Monitor the number of girls’ teams withdrawing from girls only leagues.
- 3. Compare the situation with other European countries.
- 4. Debate the results with the Women's Committee, Development Committee and the League Sanctions Committee before putting recommendations before Council in June 2008.
All of the above does NOT apply to SCHOOLS' FOOTBALL where current regulations remain extant.
Goalposts
I have recently received the following email from the Football Association:
Email from The F.A.
The attached link to The FA's web site, states that metal cup hooks on any part of the goal are not permitted and as such matches will be postponed by match officials where these hooks are evident.
I should be grateful if you would advise all relevant personnel, including local leagues, referees societies, etc, of this news to ensure a clear and consistent message is relayed across the country.
Insurance (repeat)
All Associations, whether it be District or County are covered for loss of kit and equipment under our General Insurance Policy.
Players and staff from Associations, when playing or working under the ESFA banner are also covered in our Personal Accident Insurance. This gives cover for death, permanent disability, broken bones, hospital visits etc.
We are in negotiation for this cover to be extended to ALL our school teams, but at present schools are NOT covered by our insurance and should make sure that they have their own insurance.
We are also taking out an International Match Cancellation Insurance as our fingers have been burned once too often with the late cancellation of matches.
News from the Football Association
1. Clarification of under 16 Football
The Association has confirmed that players in the approved School of Excellence programme at Football League level and Academy programme at FA Premier League level are exempt under the provisions of FA Rule C4 (vii) (C) which states that “to play in an open age football competition a player must have achieved the age 16 (to come into effect from the start of the 2007-08 season)”
The clarification was prompted by the debut of a player in the FL Championship at the age of 15 years and 287 days.
The Association acknowledges that professional clubs with appropriate licenses have needed to verify that qualified staff are deployed and child protection policies adopted to conform to the FA’s Safeguarding Children regulations ahead of the new Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act set to become law in September 2008.
For the avoidance of doubt grassroots football is unaffected by the ruling applied at professional level. A player outside the excellence programme cannot play in open age football until on or after his 16th Birthday. A reminder to your Leagues and Clubs may be needed in the light of publicity generated by the inclusion of a young player in the FL Championship.
2. International Clearances
Unfortunately there have been several examples this season of County FA’s giving erroneous advice to member Clubs over FA provisions affecting International Clearance. By and large this has been done in all innocence to assist new teams and clubs formed of migrant workers from other EU countries.
The FA’s registrations team is mindful of the pitfalls and urges all County FA’s to inform their clubs that all players moving countries (including Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) must have International Clearance. This includes players outside of the NLS playing for the Dog and Duck in a local Sunday League. It applies to all players over the age of 12 – you have been warned!
If in doubt please contact the registrations staff via e-mail – registrations@thefa.com or telephone 0207 45 4629/4630/4631/4852/4966.
3. Disability Football
Clarification has been requested in respect to the eligibility of mixed football in disability football.
Mixed football in disability at under 16's is permissible only if the league write into Jeff Davies at The Football Association to ask for dispensation. It is not allowable at open age.
4. CRB AND VOLUNTEERS
The FA CRB Unit would like to thank County FAs for all their support for the CRB process. We would also like to take this opportunity to draw your attention to an important communication from the CRB nationally, in Liverpool.
As County FAs will know, FA CRB checks costonly £12 for volunteers and £48 for those people who receiveremuneration for their role in football. The additional £36 difference goes directly to the Home Office to cover the cost of running the CRB service in Liverpool and through local Police Forces.
The CRB in Liverpool has recently asked everyone to be vigilant, to ensure that no one who should be paying the full £48 fee is being submitted as a volunteer.
Currently some 20% of all CRB checks issued nationally are for volunteers and sport makes up a large part of this 20%.
This is simply to remind County FAs that the CRB definition of a volunteer is:
a person engaged in an activity which involves spending time, unpaid (except for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses), doing something which aims to benefit some third party other than or in addition to a close relative
The FA is considering asking for further clarification on this definition. If in the interim you or anyone in your County is unsure when the full fee should be paid please email crb@thefa.com or ring 0800 085 0506.
Excellence Programme (Women)
It has been agreed with the Women’s Committee at the Football Association that there will be a series of meetings pre-season 2008-2009 where County Schools’ secretaries can attend and discuss fixtures and dates for the forthcoming season. Kent County Schools’ FA already have a good relationship with their colleagues in the South East and have agreed that one Saturday a month be reserved for Schools’ matches.
Adults other than Teachers (AOTTs)
We still have less that 50 adults registered with us as AOTTs. If you use AOTTs please register them with us in Stafford. If you are using non registered adults other than teachers and they are not properly qualified or have not undergone a specific football CRB check you are risking a great deal if something goes wrong. It is most likely that any insurance, local or national, will be invalidated if your AOTTs are not registered.
Registration forms can be obtained from the office.
Child Protection / Child Welfare
There are a number of changes about to hit the streets including new government legislation. Martin Duffield, our National Child Protection Officer, and I have regular meetings with the specialist FA and Social staff and are preparing an advisory document that will be available in the New Year.
All School District and County Football Associations will have to, by law, nominate a Child Welfare Officer to ESFA by 1 September 2008. That nominated person will then have 12 months to attend a training and induction course provided regionally by the FA. It is hoped that by 1 September 2008 ESFA will have its own dedicated Child Welfare Officer who will coordinate the ESFA County and District officers. We may even be able to provide the training courses as well.
Sponsors / Supporters
This company have set up a clearing house for academic and sporting scholarships to the United States of America. For further details please see our web site www.esfa.co.uk and the appropriate link.
We continue to have a relationship with Recycle4Kit. Again please go onto our web site www.esfa.co.uk and the appropriate link. An easy way to get a new kit for your Association.
Additionally the Professional Footballers Association has increased their sponsorship interests with us and will continue to support the purchase of trophies and the activities of our Easter Festivals.
Please support ALL our commercial partners by publicizing their activities where you can. Logos for use in match programmes can be obtained through me in the office.
Finally
- If you are in Area H and even have the slightest thought about becoming a Council Member – give me a call.
- Check the credentials of all the AOTTs involved with your Associations – they must all be registered, CRB checked and qualified to Level 1 if actually coaching a team unsupervised.
- Keep a watching brief on the introduction of girls’ Centres of Excellence and report any incidence of bad practice.
- look after player discipline.
- ensure parental behaviour is acceptable.
- Best wishes for a happy festive season and a successful New Year and see you at Wembley on 26th April.
