Chris Evans reports…
GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL FESTIVAL – ENTRIES OPEN
Clubs Invited to Attend Colchester Event
Teams are being invited to Colchester’s University of Essex campus to enjoy SSE Wildcats sessions, recreational small-sided matches and a Walking Football tournament at the Essex County FA Grassroots Football Festival on Saturday 14th July.
Each year the festival (formerly known as ‘Community Football Day’) provides as many opportunities and elements of the game as possible. Similar to last season’s model, there will be solely non-competitive tournaments (except for the open-age section, which will be competitive). Three sessions will run for different age groups from 9:00am-6:45pm.
The festival has progressed rapidly based on feedback from participants, and they have quickly gained in popularity. The non-competitive element eliminates pressure and expectations, especially for new teams or those who are experiencing a new format for the first time.
The festival, this year in partnership with Boots2Africa, is divided into two events to maximise the number of teams who can join in. This is the first of the two dates, aimed primarily at the county’s geographical Group 1 (Braintree, Colchester, Maldon, Tendring) and Group 2 (Brentwood, Chelmsford, Epping Forest, Harlow, Uttlesford).
A second festival later in the Summer will cater for Group 3 (Basildon, Castle Point, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea, Thurrock) and Group 4 (Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Waltham Forest). This will also include a disability element, as well as 7v7-to-9v9 transitioning.
Senior Football Development Officer Danielle Warnes explained: “We’d love to see as many teams within each category as possible. Anyone who has already entered is welcome to encourage parents, siblings and other family members to join us too. We’ll have refreshments stands and, fingers crossed, the weather will be on our side so we hope it’s a fun day for all!”
Danielle has explained how one of the key elements of the festival will be to transition players between different formats of the game as they move up the age groups, as well as assisting their coaches in adapting to the changes in-between seasons. She added: “We know clubs and teams are always looking to support the next element of the game.”
“It’s crucial to allow teams to be creative in exploring new formations and playing positions without the pressure of the scoreline. It’s equally important for the coaches and managers to see their players on a different-sized pitch and in different positions so they can understand how to support them for the new season in their new format.”
Team entries can be made at www.essexfa.com
Foundation (8:30am-11:30am)
SSE Wildcats Session (5-11-Year-Olds)
5v5 Girls Festival (Under 9s for 2018/19)
FA Charter Standard 5v5 to 7v7 Festival (Under 9s for 2018/19)
Youth (12:30pm-3:30pm)
FA Charter Standard 9v9 Girls Festival (Under 12s for 2018/19)
FA Charter Standard 9v9 to 11v11 Festival (Under 13s for 2018/19)
Open-Age (4:00pm-6:45pm)
Adult Female 6v6 – Adult Male 7v7
50+ Walking Football
