DHUFC Festival

I do hope everyone who attended the event over the weekend, both players and parents, really enjoyed themselves. Over the course of the two days it is estimated we parked over 300 cars and accommodated 1,000 people at the ground.

The festival was considered a great success, attracting 23 squads from around the county with DHUFC fielding 11 teams, offering most of our players the opportunity to participate in this fun event. Over the weekend we presented medals to 280 players in 34 teams, I do hope your child was one of them.

The Club has already received much praise and good feedback for the format of the event, with coaches, parents and referees commenting on the favourable playing conditions which the 'Friendly Festival' engenders. I personally believe this event offers players and coaches the opportunity to experiment and learn without the fear of losing. It was pleasing to have this sentiment echoed by Barry Stephens, Football Development Officer for Wiltshire County FA, in his address at the medal ceremony on Sunday morning.

Many, many thanks go to all the parents who gave their time to help out over the weekend. Without your assistance we would not be able to run this event. I do hope you considered your involvement, wether it be as a car-parker, BBQ-er, cake-baker or marquee erector worthwhile. From my part I want you to know your efforts are much appreciated and essential to the running of the event.

I must name a few people who gave up lots of time in preparation for the event and deserve special recognition - Pete Talbot for getting the pitches mown during some appalling weather conditions, likewise for Diccon Jordan and Pete Weston who spent days measuring and marking out the pitches, to Martin and Sarah Brock for spending a long day in Macro getting the stock needed to feed everybody, and finally Wendy Crocker for her support with organization of the overall event.

Finally, a reminder that the completion of our Festival heralds the start of 'tournament season'. This is a very busy period for team secretaries and coaches alike. Ensure you look out for communication from your team secretaries regarding weekend activity. Make their job easier by responding to availability and selection mails promptly, and please, please make sure you seek them out to pay your tournament fees. For tournaments this year the Club has paid out £950 in entry fees. We MUST recover these fees as such costs make a significant impact on how much money we have available to facility football each year. DHUFC does NOT make money from tournament fees, we simply seek to recover our costs from those who have been selected to take part. Please support your Team Secretary in the collection of these fees. Thank you.

I hope you all have an enjoyable run-in to the end of the season.

Regards,
Alan

** Tournaments Made Simple - A Parents Guide


** Club Events (May - June 2005)

• May 7: Year 1 Taster Session 1, BSG
• May 11: DHUFC AGM, Lansdowne Hall
• June 11: DHUFC Sign-On Day, BSG
• June 11: Last Club Training Session (Season 2004-05)
• June 18: Year 1 Taster Session 2, BSG
• June 18: End of Season Presentation, BSG

** Full Club Calendar (Members Only)