English Schools' Football Association

ESFA Newsletter - Monday 4 October 2004

Message from the Chairman Mr. Steve Abson

The autumn term is now underway, with September and October perhaps the busiest time in schools football. May I take this opportunity to wish everyone another enjoyable season. Thousands of players of all ages will be involved in schools matches in the coming months. Teachers do, of course give of their time freely to promote the game and its values. This is much appreciated. Perhaps your school has employed a new member of staff this term - what better time to introduce your new colleague to schools football.

I was honoured to attend the launch of the Royal Air Force sponsorship at R.A.F. Cranwell. Joining in the celebrations were the winners of last seasons' competitions, Shenfield High School (Essex) and Notre Dame School (Merseyside). The official launch was marked by a fly-past of the celebrated "Red Arrows". The enthusiasm of The Royal Air Force to join with us for three years was there for all to see. On behalf of The English Schools FA, I thank them most sincerely for their support.

As you may know, our Finance Officer, Alison Miller left the Association at the end of August. Her replacement in the office is Dawn Howard. Dawn takes up her appointment on Monday 11th October. I am sure that everyone in membership will give a warm welcome to Dawn. In the meantime there may be a few minor delays in the finance department - I am sure that you will bear with us during this changeover.

The ESFA Office is geared up ready to receive the results from competitions organised directly from Stafford. Perhaps this is the time to remind your schools that each national competition has a deadline, and extensions to deadlines are unlikely to be agreed unless there are very special circumstances. Pride of place always goes to the Trophy competition for under 15 district teams, now kindly sponsored by the National Union of Teachers.

The four u11 primary competitions are now getting under way, sponsored by Sainsbury's. Please remember that the two Individual Schools competitions are separate competitions for boys and girls (not mixed as last year). The only competitions that can be mixed are the Soccer Sixes and Association seven-a-sides.

The ESFA Council held its regular meeting during the weekend of 18th / 19th September.

It is important that membership are aware of some of the discussions and issues raised.

• The closing date for grant applications is Saturday 9th October. No applications can be entertained after this date.
• "Sainsbury's" u11 national finals will be staged at Keele University on Saturday 18th June 2005. All four finals will be on the same day, with 32 teams in attendance.
• The date structure for the early rounds of the "Sainsbury's" competitions has been changed in order to give a little more flexibility. Counties may have until Saturday 29th January for their finals, with the regional finals extended to 23rd April.
• Further advice has been received from the Football Association regarding recommended sizes for goalposts and pitch dimensions. An enclosure is attached with this newsletter.
• Associations (and schools in nationally organised competitions) will have received details of sanctions to be invoked following incidents of misconduct. An administration charge of £8 will be added to all referees' misconduct reports received. Players of school age cannot be fined, but fines can, and may, be levied on schools or associations.
• Child Protection issues are currently being addressed, with further details expected shortly. To start the ball rolling, the ESFA Council has volunteered to undergo CRB checks later in the autumn.
• Schools and Associations are reminded that they should not play matches against teams that are not affiliated to ESFA. Insurance issues are important here. Sanction forms are available in the handbook on page 229.
• A variety of Festivals are being organised for the Easter holiday period. Details will be available to membership very shortly.
• The u18 England Schoolboy team has a full programme of international fixtures in the Centenary Shield. The first match is away to Scotland on Friday 25th February (Dunfermline). The first home match is against N. Ireland at The Reebok Stadium, Bolton on Friday 4th March. The team then visits Cork to play the Republic of Ireland on Friday 18th March. Additional matches are being arranged.
• The ESFA website has recently been updated. Competition updates, funding opportunities and much more! Log on at www.esfa.co.uk
• A reminder to visit the National Football Museum at Deepdale, Preston. Schools football memorabilia is now being added to the displays.
• Please remember to acknowledge our sponsors in every way - media exposure is vital.

With best wishes

For a successful season

Steve Abson

CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S COMMENTS

As you will have seen our sponsorship portfolio has increased enormously this year, thankfully for our previous financial situation was dire. Although I cannot reveal, due to confidentiality clauses in the contracts, the individual sponsorship fees I can say that with the FA grant we now have an income in excess of £1 million pounds. Please do not go rushing off to the typewriter (or whatever you use) to pen bids for further grants all of this money is tied up in supporting and managing the competitions. Schools will already have noticed the difference with football packs being received from Coca Cola (Under 13s), 4 Aces (Under 14) and the Royal Air Force (Under 16s). Additionally sponsors investing such large sums of money require 'pay back' in a number of different ways. Mike and Darren are already witnessing an increased sponsor's involvement

I must reiterate the Chairman's remarks about support for these sponsors, please acknowledge them wherever you can. If you would like copies of logos (for pre-agreed use) please contact me.

I have had a number of letters offering ESFA memorabilia from past Chairman, thank you very much gentlemen. Dave Price, who is co-ordinating our input into the National football Museum in Preston will be looking at the items offered and getting in touch with you in the near future.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ESFA COUNCIL MEETING

Stafford, 18/19 September 2004

Adults other than Teachers in schools football.

Following agreement at the AGM, and after consultation with the RSPCC and the FA the rule regarding the control of teams includes:

a person who has the direct approval in writing from the local or county schools football association who is a licensed member of FACA (giving a first aid and coaching qualification, plus a CRB check and attendance at a Child Protection) and is registered with the ESFA Head Office.

All appropriate application forms will be available from ESFA Office by the middle of October 2004.

Reciprocal Discipline.

The new County Administrative System (CAS) introduced by the FA has a number of teething problems, one of which is the identifying of school children playing out of school club football. A number of County Schools' FAs have reported this problem and we are endeavouring to sort the problem with the CAS management at Soho Square.

Schools Association Football International Board (SAFIB)

SAFIB is the governing body for international schools' and youth football and has a membership of 22 countries. It may be of interest to know that the long serving Secretary and Treasurer, Bob Docherty of the Scottish Schools' FA has decided to retire with immediate effect. Alan McInstry of the Northern Ireland Schools' FA, a man well know on the international circuit as the organizer of the superb Ballymena Tournament, will take over the role of secretary and Treasurer.

Amongst a number of other things SAFIB is currently addressing the two problems of international child abuse and cross border representation.

England Schoolboys (under 18)

The provisional programme for the 2005 season is:

• 18 Feb - Trinidad & Tobago Port of Spain
• 25 Feb - Scotland Dunfirmline FC
• 04 Mar - Northern Ireland Bolton Wanderers FC (ground TBC)
• 18 Mar - Trinidad & Tobago Cork
• 30 Mar - Invitation International Pakefield Festival
• 06 Apr - Wales Newport FC, Isle of Wight Festival
• 30 Apr - China Shanghai

The final 32 trial will be played at Lilleshall during the weekend of 15/16 January 2005. Trial matches will be played against an RAF Under 25 XI and PASE XI.

The selected squad of 16 will play Loughborough University over the weekend 29/30 January 2005, before departing for Trinidad on 14 February.

Competitions

County Secretaries and Council members receive regular updates and news of all our competitions. My only comment now is that all ESFA Members should encourage their teams to make sure that they adhere to the dates of the competitions. Although there are often good reasons for seeking an extension when the deadline is due, this could be alleviated if thought were given at an earlier stage. When dealing with thousands of matches in each competition it is very difficult for the Competitions Department to have a flexible attitude to extensions.

Web Site - www.esfa.co.uk

We are making strenuous efforts to get the web site updated and to keep it updated on a weekly basis. There have been some problems, but we feel that we now have the ability to complete an update at least once a week. If you wish any notices, news etc to published on the web site please let me know in good time.

(7) Festivals

This is a gentle reminder for those of you who are interested in attending one of the ESFA Easter Festivals. You need to get your entries into the Festival Co-ordinators without delay.

Contacts

• Durham (u13 District)
  Alan Johnston
  01207 284916 (home)
• Isle of Wight (u14 District)
  Gerry Smith 01793 750955 (home)
  
• Jersey (u11 District)
  David Lailey 01256 881517 (home)
• Pakefield (u18 County)
  Alan Ball - 01903 812006 (home)
• North Tyneside (u11 District)
  Dennis Fulton - 01661 886289

NOTICE BOARD

1. Long Service Awards. A reminder that competed nomination forms must be returned to the office by 31st January 2005
2. Funding Opportunities for schools and associations (kit etc.). This is available via The Football Foundation at www.footballfoundation.org.uk
3. ESFA Business Plan Funding. Application forms have been issued in early September. These will be considered at the Council Meeting on 20 November 2004.
4. The next ESFA Council Meeting will be held at the CCPR Main Office in London on 20th November 2004.
5. The 2005 Annual General Meeting will be on Saturday 2nd July in Loughborough.