Developing The Game

Over the past term the committee have been considering how we can provide a more supportive, participative, developmental environment for our players. This issue has vexed both the FA and Leagues, you may have seen or heard some press articles and interviews on TV and Radio addressing the same concern.

At the end of last season the Mid Wilts Youth And Minor League also looked at the problem and the member clubs agreed to improve the balance and developmental nature of League matches through the introduction of a new rule. The rule, to ignore goal difference, was meant to limit the desire, need or motivation of a team to defeat opposition by a heavy score.

As a responsible Charter Standard Community Club, Derry Hill Utd is determined to lead this League initiative and has asked all of our coaches to adhere to a best practice that keeps all scores within 7 goals. When involved in a match where your child's team is leading by 7 goals I have asked the coaches to challenge the talents, strengths and weaknesses of their players by making changes to the way the team plays.

Our goal is not to let any team or player have an easy ride but to challenge them to experience a balanced game and above all respect the motivation and effort of their opposition.

This initiative is being implemented to ensure players are not demotivated by heavy defeats and remain in a sport which meets their emotional, social and technical aspirations.

If you have any questions about this policy please do get in touch with me.

Coach Qualifications - Congratulations and Thank You

We return to activity this weekend. Just two notes for you to kick Term 2 of season 2011-12

Qualified Coaches
Congratulations go to Russ Cole, John Snow, Chris Lower, Josh and Luke Weston who have successfully completed the FA Level 1 programme.

This nationally recognized qualification, comes with the title 'Club Coach'. To achieve this standard, Russ, John, Chris, Josh and Luke completed modules in Emergency Aid, Child Protection, Club Administration, Mini-Soccer Ethics (RESPECT) and Football Laws, as well as considerable practical instruction on how to organize and facilitate training sessions.

I would also like to congratulate Josh Weston and Mark Knevett for their attendance of The FA Youth Award Module 1 course. The four day course entitled "Developing the Environment" recognises the important role the coach can have upon levels of motivation and self-esteem and gives practical advice to help the coaching sessions become an “effective environment for learning”. This is an excellent course providing knowledge about the age appropriate approach to coaching and will enhance the skills, knowledge and experience of both coaches. Well done Josh and Mark, your commitment to gain knowledge to assist player development at Derry Hill is much appreciated.

Our thanks go to each of these coaches for putting in the time and effort to improve their understanding of coaching young players as well as the commitment they make week in week out to facilitate football for your children.

Derry Hill Utd is run by volunteers. We are looking for more Mums and Dads to assist with our coaching teams, especially the Fusion, our Under 11s girls squad. You don't need to be knowledgable about football, we'll help you that aspect of your activity.

Full support is offered including free access to an FA foundation course in football coaching as well as  guidance and mentorship throughout your coaching journey. This is a great way to support your child and gain a whole raft of skills and experience at the same time. Over the 12 years we have been at Derry Hill Utd we have launched the coaching careers of over 100 coaches, very few give up, most expressing how much they enjoy the activity and many coaching through to their children leave the Club at 17.

Coaching is a great way to widen and develop your own skills and is extremely rewarding. Contact coach@dhufc.org for more details.

Ice Hockey
Just two weeks remain before the deadline for booking Ice Hockey tickets.

This is a brilliant opportunity to see the Swindon Wildcats in an English Premier League match at a heavily discounted price. Tickets are £6 per adult, £3 for children (which is less than half the normal price). Members, families and friends all invited. It would be great to see you there.

The match takes place at the Link Centre, Swindon on Saturday 12th November where the Wildcats take on the Milton Keynes Lightning. Face-off is at 5.45pm.

You can reserve your tickets on-line here. Once ordered you are committed to pay for the tickets. The Wildcats will take your payment on the night of the event.

Ticket applications close 7th November.

Club Visit and Kit Orders

Swindon Wildcats
I have arranged to visit the Swindon Wildcats to watch a game of Ice-Hockey. A brilliant opportunity to see the fastest game on earth. An exciting battle of brute force and speed. And at a heavily discounted price. Tickets are £6 per adult, £3 for children (which is less than half the normal price). Members, families and friends all invited. It would be great to see you there.


This English Premier League match takes place at the Link Centre, Swindon on Saturday 12th November where the Wildcats take on the Milton Keynes Lightning. Face-off is at 5.45pm.


You can reserve your tickets on-line here. Once ordered you are committed to pay for the tickets. The Wildcats will take your payment on the night of the event.


Ticket applications close 7th November.




Club Kit Orders
We will be despatching the club's autumn kit order shortly.


Anyone wishing to order kit should ensure their completed order form, with payment, is sent to Catherine, our Kit Co-ordinator to arrive before Monday 17th October.


The next kit order will be after Christmas.




Derry Hill Dug-Out
Support your Club, use the Dug-Out to purchase your training and match day refreshments. A warming hot drink to counter the effects on a cold winter's day. And that big favourite; a bacon roll served warm. Other refreshments are available too. Open most Saturday mornings. All profits go toward Club funds.


We are looking for more parents to help out with the Dug-Out to ensure we are able to open it each week. Please consider helping out by contacting dugout@dhufc.org.

What The Club Means to You

A personal note of thanks from Wendy and myself for your kind comments about Derry Hill United FC and what it means to you and your child.

We have received many wonderful statements that provide excellent examples of what your Club means to you.

Many of the comments are centred around the themes of community, development and participation. What heartens me is the number of you who believe in, support and recognise the value of our participation and development above results philosophy. I believe your feedback provides brilliant testimony to the Football Foundation and Football Association that their confidence in us was founded, their grant funding was well spent, and that many people within this community value their investment.

This is not a solo effort, but one of communication and collaboration involving many people. One thing that shines through in the feedback is that the efforts and commitment of our volunteers is greatly recognised and appreciated. My sincere thanks and those of our membership go out to you, our volunteers.

Not wanting to be complacent I feel it important that I say that our door is always open to hear of your experiences and views of what goes on at the club. We may not be able to address each and every issue but your feedback will be taken seriously and considered for implementation.

Thank you once again for each person who contributed to our feedback request. Your time and comments are truly valued and frankly leave me more than a little humbled and full of pride for what we mean to you.

Regards,
Alan and Wendy Crocker

Assist Your Coach Support Your Child

As we commence League activity this weekend I find it an appropriate time to ask for your help and support. 

Our coaches are a dedicated and energetic group. They turn out week-in, week-out to offer your child the opportunity to train, develop and play football. Each of our coaches has to provide references, undergo football, emergency aid and safeguarding workshops as well as submit themselves to an enhanced CRB check to participate as a Club coach. Their dedication and commitment to support our Club and your child are the foundation of Derry Hill Utd's inclusive, friendly, philosophy to community football. 

Now an appeal to you. Match preparation is an important part of football, it is essential that our coaches get time to do what they are trained to do; facilitate and support their squad of players. Much work and effort goes into their planning for each match. You can help them by ensuring they get the time to prepare the players prior to the kick-off. There are many coaches who are hampered in this activity because they have minimal parental support in preparing the pitch for match readiness.

Can I ask that you consider what you can do to help free our coaches before each match.

There are a number of tasks which you can help with: 

1. Put up goals (or attach the goal-nets) 
2. Erect the RESPECT barriers (we have to have these now to meet League rules) 
3. Put in the corner and half-way flags 
4. Grab the wheel-barrow to repair rabbit holes and pitch divots in the field of play Of course they would also appreciate your help returning this equipment after the match has been completed (the work does not end for coaches post game as they have debriefings and paperwork to complete). 

Please do help out, there are many parents and few coaches. 

Help your coaches support your child. Thank you for your help.

Welcome to Season 2011-12

Hello and welcome to the start of season 2011-12. 

Bowood Sports Ground opens it's gates to the season this Saturday, the 3rd September. Most squads commence their training this weekend. 

I'd like to thank all of those volunteers who once again have stepped forward to give their time, energy and enthusiasm to supporting your child participate in community sport. In particular I would like to offer a big thank you to Kevin Powell, coach of the Pyros, who has agreed to give more of his precious free time to football by joining the committee in the role of the Young Players Representative. Thank you Kevin your support is much appreciated. 

Please ensure that you abide by our Club Code of Conduct and philosophy of player participation and support. We have a great reputation for playing fair and supporting our children in the true spirit of sport development. Let's continue to build this reputation through the new season. Some short tips to help you support your child get the best out of their football:

• Always stay on the sideline, never enter the field play
• Supporters must stay behind the barriers and stand on the side of the pitch away from the coaches
• Please support your child, never instruct, criticise or coach them
• Treat the opposition as you would your own team. Keep your views to yourself, they are here to play, learn and enjoy too 
• Support the referee. If you don't agree with his decision keep it to yourself, do not shout out, it is not your role to do this 
• Help your coaches by asking to erect goals, nets, corner flags and don't run off at the end leaving the coach to clear these items away 

Remember - we are a learning centre focused on teaching team, social and football skills to your child. Please respect the supportive environment we are trying to create for all our members. I thank you for reading and I appreciate your support in driving our standards and philosophy. 

I hope your child has a wonderful season, increasing their skills and experience as well as having lots of fun. 

Alan Chair,DHUFC

 Keep up to date with everything that is going on at Derry Hill Utd:

  DHUFC Calendar, DHUFC News, Like us on Facebook, Latest status updates by following us on Twitter
  Pitch Hotline (updated every Friday evening - in season only) 0845 5272 886

Young Leaders

Tom Nott and Alan Crocker discuss the value of the Club's Young Leaders programme with BBC Wiltshire Radio's Graham Rogers.


Click to hear the interview.