Club News (November)

Contents

• Cold Weather Clothing
• Not Only For Winners
• Weblog
• Parking in the Bus Stop
• Reading FC Trip
• Lost Property
• Springfields School
• Club Christmas Party

Cold Weather Clothing
As winter draws in, and the weather gets more inhospitable, please send your children to training with lots of warm, water-proof clothing. Players should bring hats, gloves, track-suit bottoms and sweat-shirts as a minimum.

If the coach considers a child is not appropriately dressed for the session they will not be allowed to participate.


Not Only For Winners
The DHUFC coaching philosophy. Football for children is about fun and participation, not really about winning and losing. Whilst they will eventually consider the result to be a significant part of their participation, these early years are not ones we, as a Club, want to focus on the match result. Matches should only be considered as one of a number of training methods, "part of the package". Matches are not well bounded or controlled so they provide minimal opportunity to repeat and perfect technique and skill, therefore their value to player development is limited.

As a Club we seek to offer every child the appropriate chance to develop within their squad. For some, this will mean more time spent training than playing matches. Coaches are encouraged to rotate players to give them match experience as part of their development, when the time is right. This means coaches will not select the strongest players all the time. So if your child is one of the stronger players in their squad please remember they will need to step aside from time to time to allow others opportunities to participate in a game. This will also provide your child with a better chance to develop their own skills and techniques by attending a training session, which has far greater benefits than continually playing in games.


The result of a game is far less important than the opportunity to take part, have fun and learn through experience.


Weblog
A new facility is available for all Club members, a Weblog, otherwise known by Internet geeks as a Blog. This is simply an on-line notice board available for use by registered users. The committee are trying to encourage the members, coaches, parents and players to tell us about your football experiences and activities, so that the whole Club can see what your squad has been up to.

If you want to write an article or comment on an existing one, you need to register first. Email me on weblog@dhufc.org requesting an invitation if you want to post.


Parking in the Bus Stop
We have noticed an increase in Club members parking in the Bus Stop lay-by recently. Due to the fast speed of the A4 and the blind brow of Black-Dog Hill can I ask that you don't park there. Not only does it restrict your view when pulling out, it also endangers others exiting the ground, whose view of oncoming traffic is obscured by those cars in the lay-by.

Remember, there is additional parking available at the Soho Inn, and I encourage everyone who just drops-off or picks-up, to park at the Soho and walk into the ground, as this reduces traffic volumes into and out of the ground during training. If you do use the Soho, remember to be out by 11:30am


Reading FC Trip
We've had a phenomenal response to the Club trip to train and watch Reading FC on February 19th. There is one seat remaining. If you are interested in joining the 50+ members that are going, contact me quickly.

For full details of the Club programme, visit the Events Calender


Lost Property
Every week we find at least one item of equipment or clothing at the ground. All items are currently stored in the Clubhouse, however we are fast running out of room! If you have lost an item of clothing or equipment over the past 6 months then take a look during your next session. We will be disposing of all unclaimed items during the Christmas break, so be quick!


Springfields School
It gives me great pleasure to tell you that DHUFC has recently secured access to some of the playing and changing facilities at Springfields School, Calne. We are very pleased with this arrangement and hope that it will develop into a long term relationship between the Club and
Springfields as it moves forwa rd with it's proposal to become a Sports College. This is a very important relationship for DHUFC as it is essential we secure additional match venues as our membership grows.

Whilst we intend to retain BSG as the home of DHUFC, some squads will be using Springfields for matches to address the overcrowding, car-park and pitch wear issues that we have. Please support this endeavour and when using Springfields always treat the venue and facilities with respect and care.


Club Christmas Party
A quick reminder that Christmas is fast approaching and so is the Club Party. This year it will be held on the afternoon of Saturday 11th December. You will shortly see a mail with details of the event and how to obtain tickets. If you interested in helping with the organization please get in touch with Karen McCormack.