English Schools' Football Association

 

Dave Woollaston,

ESFA Chairman

As the school year is firmly underway and it seems an eternity since the balmy days of the summer break. So much has been happening and I am sure that the amount of activity in all schools matches the industry at the office in Stafford. I would like to begin by welcoming our newest member at HQ, Dominic Ellam, who has joined us from school as an apprentice learning the ways of business operations and management. I am sure that he will be an excellent team player and a valuable asset to our team.

The coaching and development course for U18’s at Repton once again proved to be a great success. Well led by Andy Buckingham, all of the lads gave their best and responded to the high level coaching in a positive manner. Just as importantly, the compliments they received from the locals for their behaviour and manners around the village were a joy to hear. This is a great course for our post 16 players to attend, spending five days amongst 70+ players of the same age, receiving first class coaching and analysis and excellent advice on fitness preparation from ESFA physiotherapists Steve Wilderspin and Mike Hewitt. There is also a very good presentation about attending university in the US which attracts plenty of interest.

John Appleby and myself were very honoured to receive an invitation to attend a player reunion at Stoke City FC. The players gathering together were the winners of the ESFA trophy in 1962, Stoke Schools’ FA. It was a pleasure to spend the evening with them hearing of their success from many different viewpoints as well as their later participation in the game but every one of them lamented the demise of the opportunities available to schools players in the city today. Sadly, this is all too prevalent throughout many parts of the country as fewer players are given the opportunity to represent their ‘town team’. Times have changed, I know, but are all of the players being drawn into academy and centre of excellence teams as well as the so called ‘development squads’ really getting a good deal? The FA statistic on players progressing from this level of football into the professional game is less than 2 in a thousand. The progression rate from the ESFA U18 team is far in excess of this, three made the step up last year from eighteen!

Still, widening the experience base for our young players should be what the ESFA is about. I recall Jack Tarr’s astute comment from an AGM in the early ‘90’s, ‘we are about providing football for schoolchildren not children for football’. Therefore it has been a great pleasure to see teams from ESFA membership represent their country on the international stage. Seaton Burn represented us with great pride in the SAFIB tournament in Glasgow towards the end of last season and more recently Cardinal Heenan School from Liverpool were our representatives in the 32 team Danone Nations Cup which was held in England this year. Unfortunately, losing one drawn game in a penalty shoot out meant they were unable to reach the last eight in the playoffs. Their final game against Russia at Wembley saw them produce the most outstanding performance of the tournament. Their slick passing game totally outclassed their opponents and the 3-0 score line was fully deserved. Ninth place in the competition was their reward but the knowledge that they were the best footballing team there should stay with them forever. Very well done, gentlemen.

The trials process for the ESFA U18 team for this season is just getting underway. Can I ask all of you involved in U18 football to ensure that our best players are put forward. The trials have changed this year and we hope this will allow all players to have more game time in their preferred positions. Please come along and watch the games, check we are picking the right players on the day!

Those primary associations linked in with Premier League clubs should now be in contact with each other. Your Council Member should have informed you via email and the club coaches should have made contact. Please let us know about the experiences for your players and yourselves.

Finally, the ESFA is teaming up with the ‘bechildcanceraware’ charity this year. Information about the charity and how you can help can be found via the link on this website. The work of this charity is proving to be very special for those youngsters fighting the disease. Take the time to watch a short video on their website, there are hundreds to pick from. Hopefully, you will then be moved to join us in fundraising.

Enjoy the forthcoming season which I hope will provide you with many memories. Thanks for your efforts.

Dave Woollaston, ESFA Chairman