Community Update – Programme Page from 4th October 08

As we all know so far it has been a disappointing start to the season but we are very confident that we can progress up the table and we are all working very hard on the training pitch to put things right. We have been a bit unfortunate with injuries so far but as early in the season showed when we have a fully fit squad we are a match for the best teams in the league so please keep your support coming and I am sure we will reward you with some entertaining football. We have a very young squad and we have to remember we are still learning, this has to be done very quickly but I believe we have the players at the club to do it.

On the community side of things we are over half way through our first term back at school and it has been a very successful start of the year for us, we have been attending assemblies and free taster sessions in schools to show them what we can offer in terms of football coaching after schools, lunchtimes, P.E lessons and as extra curricular activities. I am delighted to say we have had many more schools show interest and have asked us to come and show what we can do. We have a great coaching team in place here now, Ben Wright, Tom Walsh, Joe Harris, Dave Cates all names which I am sure you recognise form our Basingstoke teams. It is great to have these working with the children because it is great for them to be able to go home and tell their parents they were coached by the players they watch from the terraces. Not only are the coaches good football players they are all great with the kids and help make all the sessions very enjoyable yet beneficial for their football skills no matter what sex or ability they are.

We are looking to introduce new initiatives into schools/clubs in the community so keep an eye out for these as we are going to be aiming on getting everyone involved with their local team.

Just a quick reminder that we will be running our football fun weeks during the October half term, final details of this will be published very soon. They consist of matches, challenges, ball skills, social networking and of course there are the added incentives of prizes for winners/ best behaved/most improved and many more.

Regards Jason, BTFC Community Officer