English Schools' Football Association

ESFA Newsletter - Friday 1st April 2005

Message from the Chairman Mr. Steve Abson

The end of the season is getting closer (time flies!) and the time for cup finals and league championships is upon us. I am sure that many of your local competitions are coming to a conclusion - it's just the same for ESFA. The spell of bad weather in late February / early March didn't help (neither did the different half term holiday arrangements) but generally progress has been made to keep competitions on stream, with most national finals set for the period from late April through to mid May. The staff in our office are to be praised for keeping their finger on the pulse throughout the season. Equally, please pass on my thanks to your colleagues who have progressed your competitions and leagues through to their conclusion.

Council held its regular spring meeting in March with a full and varied programme throughout the weekend. Much liaison work now takes place with The Football Association. Progress has been made in discussions regarding the 14 year old playing in open-age football. A rule change is now being formulated at Soho Square that will give the authority to play only after the player's sixteenth birthday (effective from 2007).

Discussions are taking place between H. M. Government and Sport England to develop a Whole Sport Plan - where funding is to be given to the thirty national sports governing bodies to promote all aspects of sport. A meeting later in April should determine football's slice. It is pleasing to note that all the football authorities in England (The F.A., The Premier League, the Football Foundation, Football in the Community, the Professional Footballers Association and The English Schools Football Association) sit around the same table to discuss matters of importance and make progress under the title "Football United". Further details soon.

Council, together with membership, have been rightly concerned about the financial losses made by ESFA in recent years. The Trustees were pleased to announce that the financial position seems to have been stabilised.

Two items of sad news were presented to Council. Firstly the U18 International team's tour to Jamaica had to be cancelled two weeks before departure when the sponsors withdrew. Secondly, the Pakefield Festival has had to be cancelled for financial and security reasons. Nevertheless, Council is anxious that this Festival is not forgotten - membership is asked to give thought to re-vamping the event, possibly at a Midlands University, perhaps with a girl's festival, perhaps with a re-structured programme that would allow a one day or short stay timetable. If you have any thoughts on this matter, please forward them to the office.

Most areas of the country now have Specialist Colleges in the secondary sector of education, with some of these specialising in sport. Recent developments, including government funding, indicate that sports colleges will employ competition managers (to cover up to thirty sports). It is important that ESFA and its member associations keep abreast of developments - perhaps arranging meetings to share common ground. A pilot scheme of about a dozen managers will be rolled out in September, with more to follow in subsequent years. The geographical boundaries of our associations and the sports colleges (and their 'hub' of primary schools) do not necessarily match - but please be aware of any developments in your area. The ESFA Council will need to give much thought to this matter in the coming months.

At the time of writing, most Festivals are ready to go. Pakefield has already been mentioned, but other festivals at North Tyneside (u11), Jersey (u11), Durham (u13) and Isle of Wight (u14) are going ahead as scheduled. Thanks are given to the many personalities that make these events run so smoothly. In addition, the England u18 International team will be playing Finland at Newport (IOW) on Wednesday 6th April (7.00pm)

The International team has concluded its Centenary Shield programme with victories against Scotland (3-0) at Dunfermline, but defeats against Northern Ireland (0-1) at Witton Albion and Republic of Ireland (1-2) at Cork City. The game at Dunfermline was the first-ever international played on an artificial surface. Also, the game at Witton Albion was put on at short notice and thanks are given to colleagues in the Cheshire Schools F.A. for their assistance.

I hope you have enjoyed the first edition of "Kicks" magazine (posted to all schools in mid February). The next edition is due in late April. The bright, easy-to-the-eye format has been developed together with "California Raisins", the company that is also behind our Award Scheme. This has now been re-launched and is attractive to all age groups - in fact, orders for starter packs have started to pour in! Contact the office if you need more information.

In late February I was proud to attend the launch of the FA "Out of School Hours" football learning programme for primary schools - this will be available to schools shortly. Children from a local primary school from Loughborough were 'guinea pigs' for the occasion which was then broadcast on television. Sir Trevor Brooking and Gary Lineker took part in a question and answer session with the children - with questions such as "What is it like to score a headed goal, Trevor?" or "How many packets of crisps do you eat a day, Gary?" Wonderful stuff!

Arrangements are now being made for the Annual General Meeting (Loughborough, 2nd July). It is intended to organise two forum discussions on the Friday evening and a one hour forum on the Saturday morning prior to the AGM starting at 11.00am. Further details will be issued shortly.

In the next few weeks information regarding the AGM and next season's affiliations will be posted to you. Please give both items high priority.

With best wishes for the remainder of the season

Steve Abson
Chairman

Chief Executive's Comments

I hope you all had a nice break over the Easter holidays (whenever they might have been!), enjoyed your Festivals or overseas tours and are now ready for the onslaught of the end of season finals and activities.

Alan Thomson, a Scot teaching in Preston has become the new under 18 Goalkeeper Coach. Alan will take up his post after the next AGM

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

We are considering changes to the format of the AGM because a number of members have made some interesting suggestions, mainly involving more seminars or key note speeches. Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions so that they can be considered by Council before being brought forward at the AGM. I have invited Roger Davis from the National Council for School Sport to come and give us a short presentation on the progress of the Government's new initiative in the delivery of school sport and PE. The 400 designated Sports Colleges are nearly all operational and will have, over the next few years, an additional member of staff called a 'Competitions Manager'. I am sure you will all immediately recognise the implications of this to schools' football and our present administrative system

The Disciplinary Department would like to remind all teachers in charge of school teams, district and county secretaries that ESFA, in line with the FA Counties charge an £8 administration fee for all cautions and red carded offences. A £10 fine is levied if the initial fine is not paid on time. I know that some of our associations will/can not make these charges for a number of reasons. Please let me know if there is anything I can do through the office here in Stafford.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ESFA COUNCIL MEETING

Stafford, 12/13 March 2005

Adults other than Teachers in schools football

Currently we have only had 2 requests for registration of an AOTT, although a number of forms have been despatched to association secretaries.

All appropriate application forms are available from ESFA office. You can apply by using email or the normal postal route

All Association Secretaries are reminded that the FA policy for referees and match officials is for them to have attended a Child Protection Course and had a CRB undertaken. Not all referees will have complied with this, but it is important that if officials wish to officiate in Schools' matches they should adhere to that policy. Re-registration of referees for the 2005/06 season will have a mandatory requirement for officials to have completed the CRB checks. The FA, through the respective County FA, is assisting with the finance of this project.

After the next Council Meeting there will be a policy for retired teachers in respect of their Child Protection Training and CRB checking. However, if any retired teacher wishes to get the ball rolling he/she should request a CRB form and information sheet from the office. This will need to be filled in and returned to the office (under Special Delivery) for processing through the Criminal Records Bureau. We will be announcing a start date for these checks to be completed after our next Council Meeting in March. From that date ESFA will offer to pay the £7 administration fee for each application, but only for 3 months. After 3 months individuals or associations will be required to pay the administrative fee.

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. Now that we are reaching the final stages of most of the competitions I would like Associations to consider approaching the school, district or county finalists and try to get them to support their teams in the final. Not only is this a good revenue (gate money) spinner but it also helps to set an atmosphere for the players. There is nothing worse than playing in a large stadium with only a handful of spectators watching. Please encourage your players, their parents and schools to support these matches.

Web Site - www.esfa.co.uk

The web site is now updated on a very regular basis and at least once a week. Dial it up, look at the football results and stories. You can also buy ESFA memorabilia at the on-line shop.

FACT! The ESFA website recorded 43,288 hits in February alone.

Girls' Football - Easter Festival

Further to my comments in the last Newsletter, I have written to all County Secretaries requesting their views on the introduction of a girls' Festival. We would like to introduce something in the season 2005/2006, as indicated in the Business Plan, Your comments would be gratefully received.

Isle of Wight Festival

By the time you read this Newsletter the Isle of Wight Festival will be underway. Although short on numbers due to the lack of coordination of school holidays, the Festival is this year being bolstered by the hosting of a "Festival International" against Finland. As Finland do not run a schoolboy side, this side will be selected from their league clubs with two boys already signed for the academies at Southampton and Manchester United. ESFA visited Finland two years ago winning one game 3-1 and losing another 3-0.

ESFA and the Tax Man

Investigations have shown that the law on tax rebates is unhelpful to ESFA and its Associations. More work must be done through NCSS to lobby the Government, who are at this time hiding behind European Legislation.

Under 16s in Adult Football

The wording for a rule change proposal at the FA AGM has been agreed upon. In essence a player may play all age football on attaining the age of 16 (not wait until the end of the season). Under 16s but not under 15s will be allowed to play in schools' matches where players are up to the age of 19. There is special dispensation for players signed up to the FA Excellence Programme. Although this rule change is not to the liking of a number of associations it will have the desired effect of keeping vulnerable children out of the pub/club dressing room on a Sunday morning. In child protection terms this is deemed to be the area of most risk.

Saturday Morning Football

It has been repeatedly said that youth football (and training) should not encroach on the school's traditional Saturday morning. There is not much we can do about this except appeal to the clubs better side and hope they desist from this practise. It should be pointed out that this applies to girls' football as well as boys.

NOTICEBOARD

1. Saleable items - a new range of items (polo shirts, small gift items etc) is now available. Details enclosed with this mailing. Or visit our website www.esfa.co.uk
2. ESFA Award Scheme - for all ages and all abilities. Starter pack available from the office, price £1.95
3. AGM - Loughborough, Saturday 2nd July
4. England u18 v Finland Newport FC (IOW) Wednesday 6th April (7pm)
5. England u18 tour to China from 26th April
6. Misconduct reports received for ESFA matches will incur an administration charge of £8.00. Late payment will incur a further £10.00 fine.
7. Grants for kit and equipment are available from the Football Foundation.
8. Competition and other updates are available via our website www.esfa.co.uk
9. Indoor 5-a-side "Nutella" finals Saturday 16th April, JJB Stadium - Derby
10. "Sainsbury's" u11 finals Saturday 18th June at Keele University
11. Adults other than Teachers in schools football. All appropriate application forms are available in the office. Remember that an application needs to be renewed annually.
12. ESFA now has a significant portfolio of sponsors. Please reflect this in any dealing you may have with the media. The National Competitions Manager will be delighted to receive any press cuttings that mention our sponsors and their involvement in schools football.

Late Notice

I am sorry to have to announce the death of Mr Haydn Reece from Erdington & Saltley SFA. Haydn was a 50 year award winner from the ESFA. His funeral will be held on Wednesday 6 April