Birmingham County FA's Development Manager joined delegates from all over the footballing world last week at FIFA's 3rd Women's Football Symposium, staged to coincide with the Women's World Cup Final.
Natalie Justice was invited to the event in California by the Montserrat FA who are working with Birmingham County's Development Team to improve the state of the game both on and off the island.
Representatives from Montserrat FA approached The County FA and the Montserratian and Friends Organisation Birmingham (MFOB) for assistance in providing Football Development opportunities for evacuees who had to leave their homes when the volcano on the island erupted in 1995.
Around 30 players now attend weekly MFOB training sessions operated by Birmingham Council's "Strikes" scheme, and were given a boost earlier this year when The FA and their Community Partner, McDonalds pledged their support by donating kit and equipment.
Not only has this helped the community as a whole, but it has also provided a platform for talent. As a result, three regulars - Troy Cunningham, Charleston Farrell and Marcel Simpson have been selected to play for their National Team against SV Vollmond (Switzerland) later this month.
Natalie has also been giving advice to improve initiatives on the island, now that more areas are being declared safe: "I've been particularly involved with advising on the development of girls and women's football - something that I am already involved with here in Birmingham County," she said. "Because of this, I was asked by the Montserrat FA if I would be interested in attending the FIFA Conference on their behalf. It was a real honour to say yes!"
Around 130 National Associations were represented at the two-day gathering, sharing ideas on how the quantity and quality of female footballers can be improved, alongside the development of coaching opportunities and sponsorship.
"It was so exciting to be part of the Conference," said Natalie who will be reporting back to both County and Montserrat FA's on ways in which ideas from the meeting could benefit both Associations. "You don't realise how many barriers women have had to overcome to be able to play football. I've learned a lot from the experience and can't wait to put it into practice now I'm back!"
Birmingham County FA Secretary, Dave Shelton paid tribute to Natalie's work, saying: "Last year our Development Team won an FA Award for their work in the Girls and Women's Game - this is yet another acknowledgment of how Natalie and her colleagues are working hard and getting results. We are very proud that she was asked to attend the conference and are looking forward to hearing her feedback."
Birmingham FA Rewards Football's Workforce (7.10.03)
Birmingham County FA paid tribute to the heroes of grassroots football last night as awards were made to volunteers and clubs from throughout the region. Winners were congratulated by representatives from Birmingham FA, The FA's Rachel Pavlou and Alison Hawkes from The FA Community Partner, McDonalds.
Individuals who make a massive contribution to the grassroots game were given a pat on the back as part of The FA Football Workforce Awards, including John Wright who is Secretary of the Dudley & Cradley Heath League and Dudley Referee Association. As a Licenced Referee Instructor, John recruits and trains a steady flow of new officials into the game - whilst still finding time to referee!
Clubs were given well-deserved recognition via Birmingham County FA's Fair Play Awards. Youth League winners were announced before Attleborough Sports FC and Rocester Girls FC were named as County Winners. Both will benefit from a £200 prize for their efforts!
"The Club has gone such a long way in the 2 years since we formed," said a delighted Steve Brough, Secretary of the Nuneaton-based outfit. "Getting recognition for the way we operate will give everyone at the club such a boost. Winning was such a surprise - we aren't sure what to spend the prize on yet, but we will make sure it goes on something that will benefit the club as a whole."
A range of awards were made to clubs and schools who have attained FA Charter Standard Status. These included Aston Villa Girls' Ian Badger who was crowned the County's top Charter Standard Coach, and Gary Dunne who won the 2003 Charter Standard Administrator award for his work at Burton-based Winshill FC.
The Black Country was represented by Withymoor Colts FC; named as best County and Regional Charter Standard Club, whilst Birmingham City Ladies scooped a hattrick of awards, picking up County, Regional and National award for the best Charter Standard Adult Club.
The FA's kite-marking initiative is also available to schools, with 60 in Birmingham, The Black Country and Warwickshire already meeting Charter Standard Criteria.
Teachers from Cockshut Hill Technology College (Birmingham), Coseley Sports College (Black Country) and Round Oak Special School (Leamington) were presented with Regional Charter Standard School Awards. The trio had already scooped County Charter Standard School Awards, along with Stivichall Primary (Coventry).
"Our aim is to help make sure that football develops in a safe, enjoyable environment," said County Development Manager, Natalie Justice. "This was a great opportunity to say thank you to those people who work with us to make it happen."
"We wanted to draw attention to the terrific contribution made by the thousands of volunteers in our area who give their time for the good of the game and hopefully encourage even more people to get involved," added Natalie.
FAIR PLAY AWARDS 2003
BOYS: Birmingham Boys League - Vikings FC, Burton Junior League - TL Darby FC, Central Warks Youth League - Rowheath Rovers FC, Coventry Minor League - Baginton Guild, Mid Warks Boys League - Hillmorton Juniors FC, Mid Warks Junior League - Whitnash Junior FC, Nuneaton & Bedworth Minor - Attleborough Sports FC, Stourbridge Youth League - Wordsley Wasps FC, Tamworth Junior Leagues - Atherstone Rangers JFC
GIRLS: Burton Junior Girls League - Rocester Girls FC, Central Warks Girls League - Bournville Warriors Ladies
COUNTY WINNERS: Attleborough Sports FC & Rocester Girls FC
CHARTER STANDARD SCHOOLS AWARDS
COUNTY WINNERS – BIRMINGHAM FA
Primary School - Stivichall Primary School (Coventry), Secondary School - Cockshut Hill Technology College (Birmingham), Special School - Round Oak Special School, (Leamington Spa), Sports College - Coseley Sports College
REGIONAL WINNERS – MIDLANDS: Secondary School - Cockshut Hill, Special School - Round Oak, Sports College - Coseley Sports College
CHARTER STANDARD CLUB AWARDS
BIRMINGHAM COUNTY WINNERS
Charter Standard Club - Withymoor Colts FC (Brierley Hill), Charter Standard Development Club - Coton Green FC (Tamworth), Charter Standard Community Club - Rugby Town JFC, Charter Standard Adult Club - Birmingham City Ladies FC
Charter Standard Administrator - Gary Dunne - Winshill FC (Burton on Trent), Charter Standard Coach - Ian Badger (Aston Villa Girls FC)
REGIONAL WINNERS – MIDLANDS: Charter Standard Club - Withymoor Colts FC (Brierley Hill), Charter Standard Adult Club - Birmingham City Ladies FC
NATIONAL WINNER: Charter Standard Adult Club - Birmingham City Ladies FC
FOOTBALL WORKFORCE AWARDS 2003
JOHN WRIGHT - Refereeing, GARY DUNNE - Winshill FC, SAM JARVIS - Rugby Town JFC, ANDY MARCHI - Refereeing / Nuneaton Griff FC, ANDY BUTLER - Wolves Women FC