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Fun for All at Ladies Leagues (1.7.04) Six weeks of 5-a-side fun start tonight, at the Birmingham Women's Summer League, organised by Birmingham FA's Football Development Scheme, with more to follow in Greater Warwickshire! The competition is now in its second year and has attracted 16 teams from all over the region. Participants include returning champions Marconi Coventry and Rea Valley, with local businesses - including solicitors from Wragge & Co - joining in the fun which kicks off at 8pm at Birmingham University tonight. "We want everyone to enjoy themselves, and to play as much football as we can cram in!" said Girls & Women's Football Development Officer, Heather Cowan who is organising the tournament. "Some players are already part of a Club, whilst others are getting involved in organised football for the first time so we are splitting the competition into two leagues. If things go as well as last year, both will be equally competitive though - and hopefully equally as fun!" "Men have traditionally been the ones who meet up after work for a game of football – we like to think we are redressing the balance whilst encouraging those who wouldn't normally play football to come and have a go. We can point them in the right direction of local teams, or even help them set up a new Club if they want to carry on playing." A limited number of places are still available in the Greater Warwickshire Women's Summer League, which kicks off on Wednesday 7th July at Myton School, Warwick. Entry is just £1 per player, with a returnable £10 deposit per team - contact Greater Warwickshire Girls & Women's FDO, Jenny Sugarman on 0247 657 4202 for details of how to get involved. For more information on Women's Football in the Birmingham County region, including the Birmingham Women's Summer League, contact Heather on 0121 682 2535. Fun + Facts at Football Festival (28.6.04) More than 200 children from 17 Charter Standard Clubs enjoyed a day of football fun at Warwick University yesterday, whilst Club Volunteers expanded their own particular expertise at the same time! The Birmingham FA Charter Standard Euro 2004 Festival was staged to reward Clubs from The Black Country, Birmingham and Warwickshire who have attained the FA's kite mark, whilst providing information and advice to help them get even more from the initiative. A series of workshops brought Club Representatives up to date on the very latest opportunities within the grassroots game including developing disability football and links with local schools, expanding girls' football activities and capitalising on funding currently available. A Fair Play Mini Soccer Festival provided players with the chance to enjoy games against fellow Charter Standard Clubs - with fixtures also taking place in the McDonalds Inflatable Pitch. Each team were allocated a Euro 2004 Country which they represented with pride thanks to face painting, hair die and flags! "We have already had some great feedback from those who took part," said Birmingham FA Football Development Officer, Gemma Adams who co-ordinated the event. "This was a huge celebration for Charter Standard Clubs - we are delighted that so many put as much effort as they did into the day, whether attending the workshops or playing. "Behind the scenes Coaches, Volunteers and Parents often go unnoticed - but they do the work that is vital in maintaining the standards required to be a Charter Standard Club," she added. "The In Service Training element to the day gave us a great chance to pass on important information which I hope those who gave up their time to attend can put to good use." The Charter Standard aims to raise and recognise standards in grassroots football, covering a whole host of aspects including Child Protection, administration and quality of Coaching. As The FA's Community Partner, McDonalds support the initiative whilst also committing to create 8000 qualified Coaches over the coming years. Participating Clubs: Hill Top Rangers (Tipton), Starlands St Annes (Sutton Coldfield), Sportsco (Sutton Coldfield), Coventry Colliery, Coventry Sphinx, Kingswood Boys & Girls (Sutton Coldfield), Bedworth Eagles, Withymoor Colts (Brierley Hill), Kewford Eagles (Wall Heath), Rubery Juniors, Rugby Town Girls, Rugby Town, Woodloes Juniors (Warwick), Birmingham City Ladies, Bournville Warriors, Kingshurst (Solihull), Rugby United Bend it like B ......Radian B Sport (21.6.04) Radian B is proud to announce the sponsorship of a junior development and coaching scheme in conjunction with Aston Villa FC Ladies Football team. Sports Match, the business sponsorship incentive scheme for grass roots sport recently approved the scheme and award. The sponsorship of the Aston Villa's Ladies team is part of an ongoing campaign to move Radian B into a younger sports market following the launch of a new range of sports injury treatments which include a warming Lotion and Freeze Spray for muscle injuries and a Stop Bleed Spray for cuts and grazes. Suzanne Corne, Brand Manager, Ransom Consumer Healthcare comments: "The sponsorship of the Aston Villa's ladies team was an excellent opportunity for the brand to be involved with sport at a grass roots level. Ladies football as a semi professional sport is growing more and more in popularity and is something we are proud to be involved in at its initial stages". For more information have a look at the dedicated Radian B Sport web site www.radianb.com that has been launched which provides information on the prevention and treatment of muscular injuries sustained from exercise. Football Festival - With Added Benefits! (15.6.04) Children and adults from The Black Country, Birmingham and Warwickshire will be converging on The University of Warwick this month, to take part in two exclusive Football Festivals organised by Birmingham County FA. Around 250 children will be taking part in tomorrow's (Wednesday's) FA Charter Standard Schools Euro 2004 Football Festival, which not only offers them the chance to take part in fun games and to win Fair Play Awards, but will also benefit their teachers. Whilst the youngsters are focusing on their footwork, a series of Seminars will provide important updates and news which aim to aid the delivery football to children within schools. Schools who have all attained the FA Charter Standard will be involved, each representing countries who are currently participating in Euro 2004. Then later this month it is the turn of the Clubs when over 350 children are set to take to the McDonalds inflatable pitch for their own Charter Standard Football Festival! Once again, a programme of Seminars will run alongside events on the pitch, covering a wide range of grassroots football-related topics, including funding opportunities, Coach Education and refereeing. Birmingham County FA has helped over 100 Charter Standard Schools and 60 Charter Standard Clubs gain The FA's "kite mark" over the past 3 years. Each has proved that they meet certain standards in areas such as Child Protection, Coaching and First Aid and in return benefit from In Service Training events and Festivals like these. "The FA Charter Standard is free to clubs and schools who meet The FA's criteria," said BCFA Football Development Officer, Gemma Adams who is co-ordinating the two events. "That doesn't mean it is easy to attain though - we know that a lot of hard work goes into each application that we receive, whilst maintaining those standards takes a commitment and effort from a whole host of volunteers. "These two Football Festivals are designed to reward that effort and to give the support that is needed to get the most out of being an FA Charter Standard Club or School. It's also going to be a great way to share in the excitement generated by Euro 2004 - even if we can't be there ourselves!" she added. Participating Schools: Ryders Hayes Primary, Raddlebarn Primary, Bournville School, Brownhills CTC, Stivichall Primary, Kings Norton Boys, Kenilworth School, Severn J&I, Bishop Challenor, Hunters Hill Special School, Balsall Common Primary, Washwood Heath School, Avon Valley School, Park Hall School, Manor Park School County FA Staff Put Their Best Foot Forward! (2.6.04) Staff from Birmingham County Football Association will be putting their best foot forward this weekend, as they take part in Cancer Research UK's "Race For Life". Claire Aston, Mandy Garner and Anne Varden will join hundreds of fellow females as they take to the 5km course at Sandwell Valley on Sunday at 11am. "All of us have friends or family who have been affected by cancer," said Claire who works alongside Anne and Mandy at County HQ in Great Barr. "This seemed a fitting way to do something positive in their name." Thanks to generous sponsors, the trio expect to raise in excess of £300 for Cancer Research UK. "Now is the time of year when Referees and Football Clubs have to re-register with us," explained Anne. "Some call in to County HQ to pay their fees and have kindly made a donation at the same time!" This is the 4th time that Sandwell Valley has hosted a "Race For Life" and is one of 150 events taking place this summer. Money raised will go towards work to prevent, treat and cure cancer. "It will be nice to get together with friends and so many other women, knowing that we are all making a difference," said Mandy. If you would like to add your support to Claire, Anne and Mandy, you can make a donation at County HQ, Ray Hall Lane, Great Barr (during office hours). For more information on Cancer Research UK and the "Race for Life" visit: www.raceforlife.org Birmingham County FA Sunday Vase Final (23.5.04) A hattrick from Lee Faulkener earned Sankey Vending the Birmingham FA Sunday Vase title in a good spirited Final at County HQ. The Wolverhampton & District Sunday League outfit applied much of the pressure throughout the first half, taking the lead in the 3rd minute - Faulkener using his height to head home his first. Sankey Vending doubled their advantage 20 minutes later, Faulkener using his head again to connect onto a Mark Walker free kick at the back post. Case Star were the first team to represent the Sutton & District Sunday League in a County Final, but failed to capitalise on their efforts. David Cook fired just wide from Robert Riddell's cross in the 8th minute, whilst Robin Stephens' header in the last minute of the half lacked power and was saved by Rob Taylor. Case Star stepped up their pace in the second half, testing the Sankey defence on a number of occasions. Steve Dearn saw his shot sail just over the crossbar in the 50th minute, whilst a vital tackle in the penalty area from Captain, Lee Edwards kept Case Star Substitute Rob Bevington at bay in the 85th minute. The final 5 minutes saw Case Star clinch their consolation goal, but not before Faulkener had completed his hattrick and sealed the win for Sankey - the opposition defence playing their part in both. A failed clearance was pounced on by Faulkener with 1 minute left to play, whilst Phil Elwell's attempted clearance at the other end bounced off Robin Stephens and past a stranded Taylor in added time. |