Take yourself back 5 years and to the setting up of the u12s girls squad at Waverton. Some of the little 10 year olds are still with us. Kiera, Lily, Ellie Riste, Cara, Olivia, Ellie Mageean, and Lucie who even then was frustrated that she was a school year younger than the others by only days.
We've watched them grow and develop as footballers and as people and whatever they do in life, we hope they will look back with fondness at their time at Waverton and hope that they have learned something to carry with them.
Now though we have reached a crossroads as that some of that squad reaches a point where there is nothing for them to progress into at Waverton. We had our first 16th birthday this week and as we move into the last few games of our 2011/12 league we have to decide where we go. It is a real crossroads. Added to this, the club Chairman, Graham Frost, a man who has been critical to making AFC Waverton the best junior football club in Chester and who has been so supportive of the development of the girls squad, (although because of his quiet and calm manner many parents and players would not even be aware of his presence and role), has announced he is to step down in June after 14 years with the club.
We have fun and laughs over the last 5 years and it has been a big part of all of our lives. Where now though do we go next September? What do we want? What do the girls want?
We have two options really. One we stay within the u16 group within the Wallasey League for next season. The advantage is, we know the league (oh yes we do!), it's Saturday mornings, we are already registered, we only need to put seven players out etc. However, Cara, Ellie M, Laura, Olivia, and Sophie will not be able to play. Lucie and Rebecca can join us, but unless we get others in, the squad will struggle for numbers even more so than last year. We do not know how many teams will be in the Wallasey League next season. We also have to be conscious of the feeder system to enable progression from u12s, u14s. There are variations on this option as we could try again to get into the Northwich based u16 league on Saturday mornings, but Y12s will not be be able to play.
The second is to move to an u18 squad so that we can keep all of our current squad together. We have always wanted to establish an u18 team so that our girls can keep playing football at our club until they go off to University or college. Graham Frost has been supportive of this and we will not have any problem with funding etc. The Wallasey League do not support u18 football though and so we would have to move to another League. The new Cheshire u18 Womens League is the obvious option, but would involve travelling further for away games and most likely playing on Sundays. This may be a no-no for some of you for family reasons and we will have to do some negotiation on pitch availability. Fundamentally it is 11 a side and so we need a big enough squad and players who are going to be comfortable playing at that level and it is a step up. We understand that next years Y10s (Lucie) would be able to play at u18 level in that league, but would have to have this clarified. We might also be able to persuade the odd ex player from last years u16s to play as I have spoken to one and she is interested.
I am very conscious (how could I not be?) that some of our current squad don't see things the same as others. What the girls want from being in the football team varies. Some want to learn and just play and absolutely love it, whilst some, to put it carefully, enjoy the camaraderie and friendships more than the playing of the beautiful game. We know without a doubt that if all of the squad was in the former camp we could improve the team as a whole football wise, but we also recognise that this is about people as individuals and that one of the great things that we have here, and which teams such as Irby, Upton and Ridgewood have so often remarked on, is the fantastic team spirit and atmosphere.
So that is where we are. We cannot make decisions without knowing from the parents and the girls what you want. It has to be inclusive. We have to make decisions relatively soon too, as options will be closed off to us (League cut off dates) plus we need to prepare. For example if we are to try to recruit more players we need time to do so plus if we are to go to 11 a side, we need to get some 11 a side games fixed up for this Spring.
I am therefore requesting feedback from all parents and the girls through them. I need to know by the end of January where it is we wish to go. We can change and adjust but I need to know the preferred direction of travel.
You can let me know by email, phone or by face to face. I will make myself available in the Ring of Bells 8:30-9:30 on Thursday 19 January to meet parents (and girls if they wish). This is not mine or the club's decision alone, we have to make it together. As a coach, I am happy to continue, as long as I have support from parents and the girls, and it is what the girls want to do.
On a wider note, the Club has called an open meeting for 7:30 -8:30 on Wednesday 25 January at Christleton Primary School to discuss the future of the club in the light of Graham's intended departure and the need to get more new blood onto key positions (non coaching) in the club. It would be good to get parents from the girls side to make that meeting too.
Look forward to hearing from you
Happy new year and lets hope we can get playing football again soon
Mike
