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Stars Come Out For Girls' Footie Fest! Some of England's top female football players will be dropping in to Birmingham County FA's Annual Girls Football Festival which takes place at Fox Hollies Leisure Centre, Shirley Road, Acocks Green this Sunday, 29th June. Faye Cardin and Michelle Hickmott will be fresh from the England training camp where they have spent the week preparing for July's UEFA U19 European Championships, whilst their Birmingham City Ladies club-mate Laura Bassett has been reflecting on a terrific season which saw her earn her first - of what will surely be many - full England caps. The trio will be meeting and greeting girls at the Festival which kicks off at 10am, and might even be persuaded to join in the fun coaching sessions on offer! Girls aged 7 - 14 can register to take part on the day, safe in the knowledge that FA qualified coaches will be providing a great introduction to the game. Coaching for those turning up to play will be tailored to the age and ability of those taking part. Information on local clubs will also be available for those who want to carry on playing after the whistle blows on the event at 3pm! Since The FA assumed responsibility for Girls and Women's Football in 1993, the game has seen a huge boom in popularity, becoming England's top female sport. Birmingham County FA has played a huge part by providing more opportunities than ever before, and last season it's Development Team scooped a national FA Award as a result of their efforts. A clear pathway now exists from Festivals and after school clubs to Centres of Excellence and Academies, so whether "girls just want to have fun" or develop their footballing talents - they can! For more information on the Girls Football Festival or the work we do to develop the game, contact Birmingham FA's Girls and Women's Football Development Officer, Laura Harvey on 0121 682 2525. County FA Search For Top Teams Birmingham County Football Association is on the search for the region's best behaved boys and fairest females. Nominations for Fair Play Awards are now being sought, and playing a vital part in The County FA's work to reduce the number of disciplinary cases emerging from youth football. Leagues throughout the region have been invited to select their top teams using a range of criteria provided by Birmingham FA. Amongst others, this includes teams' disciplinary records, their attention to club administration and recognition from their peers. Two winners of County Fair Play Awards will scoop £200 prize money for their club, along with football goodies for their players and staff. They will also be put forward as Birmingham FA's nominees in The FA's National Fair Play Awards. Earlier this year a "suspended punishment" system was introduced, which allows Disciplinary Commissions to impose hefty fines which are then suspended on the condition that no other serious cases are brought before the County FA. "Whilst we are trying to deal with the few who are giving our game a bad name through our disciplinary procedures, we want to reward those clubs and teams who are setting positive examples," said County Secretary, Dave Shelton who is co-ordinating the Awards. Dave added that the Fair Play Scheme was not just about instilling good practice at club level, saying: "Referee training now includes a practical element, but as with any job though, experience is essential - Youth football is where many begin. "Negative behaviour displayed by admittedly a minority of club officials, coaches not only filters down to players, but it puts some off referees at an early stage in their involvement. Football as a whole suffers when there aren't enough officials to go round." The deadline for leagues to make their nominations of one Male and/or one Female Youth team is set for July 25th, with the winners announced at a ceremony to be held soon after. For more details on the Fair Play Awards, or the work Birmingham FA is doing to improve discipline within the grassroots game, contact Dave Shelton on 0121 357 4278. Fun for All at Ladies League Eight weeks of 5-a-side fun continue tonight, at the Birmingham FA's Women's Summer League, supported by Greenwoods Communications. The competition has attracted 17 teams from all over the region, with the aim of encouraging more women to get involved in the beautiful game. Participants from as far as Coventry are taking part in the League, which is based at Birmingham University. The "Strikes Speed Cage" and the "Beckham Banner" gave over 80 players who attended the launch of the competition a chance to test their skills before putting them into practice in the first round of games. The results were then collated, with teams being split into two pools, according to their performance. "We want everyone to enjoy themselves, but it's no fun if you are winning or losing by massive results!" said Heather Cowan who is part of Birmingham FA's Development Scheme. "The great thing is we have a mix of abilities taking part - some play regularly, whilst others have never played before," she added. Workmates from some of Birmingham's business sector have got together to form teams, including Ernst & Young and Wragge & Co Solicitors. "Men have traditionally been the ones who meet up after work for a game of football - and enjoy the socialising that goes with it of course! Aside from the fact this is great way to keep fit, we like to think we are beginning to redress the balance and give women the chance to do the same!" For more information on Women's Football in the Birmingham County region, including the Women's Summer League, contact Heather on 0121 682 2525. Charter Standard Celebrations Birmingham FA has given the County's first two FA Charter Standard Community Clubs a big pat on the back - with the help of The Football Association and McDonalds! Rugby Town and Rugby United are the first in the Birmingham FA area to reach the pinnacle of the Charter Standard scheme - The FA's "kite mark" for youth football - confirming their massive contribution to the local community. To achieve Community Club status, Clubs must provide opportunities for adults and children, male and female, as well as having qualified coaches, first aiders and child protection officers. They also have to produce a Football Development Plan which sets out how they aim to develop their club even further. Officials and players from both clubs attended a presentation at Warwick University earlier this week, where The FA's Regional Development Manager, Rachel Pavlou and Alison Hawkes from The FA's Community Partner, McDonalds handed over the rewards for their efforts which apart from a plaque included footballs, sweatshirts and kit bags. Rachel Pavlou congratulated both clubs on their achievements, saying: "There are so many ways that people can become involved in football. Rugby United and Rugby Town have worked incredibly hard to show they are creating and providing these opportunities to a really high standard. The Charter Standard scheme recognises that fact and offers rewards to those playing a part in their local community - I hope even more clubs will take advantage of what's on offer." Meanwhile, this Sunday around 200 young footballers from Kewford Eagles FC will mark their club's first step on the Charter Standard ladder. The Black Country-based outfit are celebrating their 25th Anniversary this year and have recently attained Charter Standard Club status, so are looking forward to a double celebration! The FA Charter Standard scheme is FREE to any club operating at under-18 level and below. Clubs have to meet certain requirements to be awarded Club, Development Club or Community Club status. To find out how to get involved, contact Birmingham FA's Football Development Officers, Natalie Justice and Tom Stack on 0121 682 2525 or e-mail info@birminghamfa.com Ability Counts at Football Festival! Disabled footballers from all over the Midlands converged on Warwick University on Saturday to take part in this year's "Ability Counts" Football Festival. The pan-disability tournament brought together players with mild or severe learning disabilities, cerebal palsy or Downs syndrome along with deaf or visually impaired participants. The event was organised by Birmingham FA's Football Development Team who work hard to create opportunities within the game; whether playing, coaching, refereeing or administrating. Competition between the 20 teams was as hot as the weather. Despite their side including the talents of VI England Team member Steve Turbitt, Canley Lions lost out to Friars Old Boys (Stafford) in the penalty shootout that decided the Men's Final. The Mens B Team Competition was won by Northampton Town, whilst Abbey Hill and Friars School (both from Stafford) could not be separated in the U16 Boys Competition. Leamington-based Round Oak School won both the Girls and the U11 Mixed Competition. Special Adidas awards were made to U11 players from Round Oak and Northampton Town who showed off their skills in sessions led by Birmingham FA Coaches. Round Oak recently received FA Charter Standard School Status, and as part of their award have received brand new kit from The Football Foundation - opportunities that Birmingham FA is keen to encourage others to utilise alongside their work to improve the standard of coaching disabled footballers receive. "We were treated to some fantastic games of football thanks to some very talented players – especially in the men's competition," said Rachel Dunlop who organised the event with fellow Football Development Officer, Hannah Buckley. "Just as importantly, the enthusiasm of the younger players and their teachers really shone through. We hope that they can take that away from the day and carry on enjoying their football as much as they did on Saturday!" For more information on Disabled Football opportunities within Birmingham and The Black Country, contact Rachel Dunlop (0121 682 2525) or in Warwickshire call Hannah Buckley (0247 657 4202). |