Match Report 16-12-2012

West Hagley North vs Halesowen Community Rangers

HCR were the visitors to West Hagley following our recent last gasp draw a couple of weeks earlier. Both teams started brightly Aaron and Maien lively and effective with the ball. Elliott scored from an offside position keeping the score 0-0 but things were looking good. Taha was industrious and combining well with Hamza who drew the keeper out only to shoot just over the bar.

Hagley won a corner which Javon parried out and Hagley finished well for 1-0. Shortly afterwards Hagley scored their second of the game when the ball trickled over the line for 2-0, a very soft goal for us to concede and in contrast to the positive start that HCR had made. Javon was called into action as the confidence in the home side was visibly growing and he pulled off a great save to keep HCR in the game. However HCR were thwarted soon after and were victims to a well worked goal by Hagley for 3-0. Half time looming Aaron managed to persist and score for HCR.

Half time: West Hagley North 3 vs Halesowen Community Rangers 1

The second half started well Taha’s great effort was saved, up the other end Javon saved a Hagley attempt. Then Javon was off his line and conceded for 4-1. From this point Hagley surged into “all out” mode whilst HCR appeared to allow this to happen. A flurry of home goals leaving the final score  at 7-1. A strange game to watch with one left scratching one’s head, well done to Paddy who was forced to play in goal and made one great save and conceded one.

Final score: West Hagley North 7 vs Halesowen Community Rangers 1

Let’s hope this was a one off, the Christmas and New Year break looms with our first match of 2013 against our Locals Bearwood Sports on 6.1.2013. Have a great break everyone and see you next year! 

Match Report - Sunday 2nd December 2012

Halesowen Community Rangers  Vs  West Hagley North

We welcomed West Hagley to very boggy conditions  at Hurst Green on Sunday, however it must be said that West Hagley brightened the day by bringing along the cutest team mascot in Zara “the teddy bear dog”.

It was good to get a game underway with so many games cancelled due to the weather recently. All credit to the 30 players and the match official for coping in very muddy conditions, it can’t have been easy. Thanks also to Gamel Saleh and match official Matthew Flanagan for carrying out an early pitch inspection.

Both teams made a good start; this was not going to be an easy game with the conditions affecting the movement of the ball and the players. Marzouk was lively and had an early chance forcing a good save from the Hagley keeper who looked to be a safe pair of hands, which we found as the match unfolded. Chris and Zeyad were combining well, Hamza was taken down nothing awarded.

A slip up at the back allowed Hagley to open the scoring with a good finish. HCR continued to press with Maien and Chris moving the ball forward to Hamza who won a penalty and placed it just wide.

The half time whistle blew with the visitors one goal ahead.

The second half saw HCR come back on the field of play and persevere with the conditions uphill. Early on there were two excellent chances when both  Hamza and Aaron shot across goal with no one able to get to them and finish, this was encouraging play  with Taha, Zeyad and Marzouk working away, breaking up play and creating. Hagley were fast in the attack and were on target for a sure goal in the top left hand corner and somehow Javon got to it for a top quality save.

Marzouk was looking likely to score when his shot was parried out to Elliot who was making an impact on his debut, 1 on 1 with the keeper his shot went just wide. HCR were building their momentum with Aaron shooting over the bar. There was spirit and passion evident and Aaron, Elliot and Marzouk were linking up only for Marzouk’s shot to go wide, on another day we would have put these chances away.

HCR were trying to grab an equaliser which was looking likely by the effort and commitment but the clock was ticking down. We were awarded a free kick on the half way line with only minutes to go. Mo who was playing in defence on his debut was the only man back and Javon (GK) appeared to being taking the free kick, the HCR faithful on the side line rallied and encouraged him and the ball flew through the air, in under the bar and plopped in the muddy goal to get the equaliser the whole team had been working for. There was heartache for Hagley and happiness for HCR. This may well be our defining moment of the season where we get our season well and truly under way, the jubilation was a joy to see. A point salvaged but more importantly team spirit ignited. Hagley’s rapid No 13 raced through the defence and shot over the bar just before the final whistle to keep the score level. A point each.

Final Score HCR 1  -  West Hagley North 1

Man of the Match – Javon Bailey for pulling off a top quality save to keep us in the game at 1-0 and for scoring the equaliser from a free kick on the half way line.   

Aston Villa Stars line up for Charity Football Match

Charity Football Match in aid of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research

Aston Villa Lions & Legends

vs

Petrovs X1

on Sunday 18th November 2012

Gates open 12pm. Kick off: 1.30pm

Venue: Halesowen Town Football

The Grove, Old Hawne Lane, Halesowen B63 3TB

Admission Fee

Adults £5.00
Children £2.50

Resonate Menswear are proud sponsors of the match balls.
www.resonatemenswear.com

Pigroast and refreshments available on the day.
www.pigroastbirmingham.co.uk

Proud sposnor of the kit: www.protection-services.com

 

March Report 28.10.12

Black Country Rangers   2     Halesowen Community Rangers   1

HCR made the journey over to Victoria Park. It was a wet and dreary day. The game kicked off at 15.00. BCR started more brightly putting HCR under pressure and HCR were slow to react. BCR looked hungry and in the first half hit the woodwork twice before managing to open the scoring with a rapid attack that, whilst Javon came out, we were unable to prevent the ball crossing the line. The game was more even thereafter but HCR went into the break trailing 1-0

Half time score BCR   1-  0 HCR

The second half was a different story with HCR waking up to the challenge. We were missing Tarik and Marzouk who were not available and Zeyad who had been injured in the match and could play no further part.

HCR contended and created and worked harder, whereas in the first half we had only tested the keeper once the second half was proving to be a much more competitive affair. Hamza had a couple of cracking attempts which went just wide, Taha was pressuring the ball when he managed to unravel the ball and combined well with Chris and Mahamood was able to latch onto the fast flowing ball and slot it past the keeper for 1-1.

HCR and BCR were battling from end to end. The game looked like it was going to be a draw with a couple of close chances for each side when HCR kicked the ball apparently out of danger over the line and as our players began to regroup in expectation of a throw in, BCR made reasonable advantage of the fact the whistle had not been blown and put the ball in the back of our net for 2-1.

Despite industry and hard work HCR were unable to recover and all the points went to BCR.

Man of the match was Javon who made a number of great saves in difficult playing conditions.

HCR Match Report 21.10.12

Halesowen Community Rangers   3  Vs  Bearwood Sports   1

Goal Scorers:

Marzouk

Sam

Hamza

Halesowen kicked off their 5^th league game of the season against Bearwood Sports, who took us to the final game of last season in order to decide who would claim the Division 3 title.

Both teams started brightly, Bearwood looking to avenge last season and HCR hoping to record a 3^rd successive victory over their local rivals. Marzouk and Hamza, who was back in the team after recovering from an injury, were both looking to test the opposition keeper early on with Bearwood  endeavouring to do likewise, although Javon was equal to any Bearwood attempts.

HCR were finding it difficult to establish themselves and make an impact on the game as normal slick passing was thwarted by the boggy conditions of the Hurst Green Pitch. Looking to capitalise on HCR’s misfortune Bearwood attacked in their numbers looking to play through their striker, but the back 5 of Javon, Matty, Sam, Paddy and Tarik were able to deal with the Bearwood attacks.

The first goal came, however, midway through the first half when a miscommunication between the 2 centre-backs Paddy and Sam saw the opposition’s forward break through on goal and he was able to slot it past the oncoming keeper. Finding themselves on the back foot HCR battled to try and get back on level terms but the condition of the pitch meant the midfield  of Chris, Marzouk, Taha and Aaron found it hard to move the ball around, with the 2 forward men finding themselves becoming more isolated from the play forcing them to drop deeper in search of the ball.

As the players acclimatised themselves to the pitch HCR began to mount some attacks on the Bearwood goal, with Taz and Chris linking up well and Taha working hard to retain possession. Aaron and Marzouk combined well only to see the Bearwood defence deal with Aaron’s inviting cross. Just as HCR were beginning to play and the 2 forwards were becoming more involved in the play, the referee blew for half time. Rangers went into the break trailing 1-0 although there were positives to build on in the second half

Half time score

HCR  0  -  1  Bearwood Sports

The second half saw HCR mount several attacks only to meet the committed work of the Bearwood defence who were clearly working well and did not want to allow the HCR forwards any chink in their armour. Bearwood were being well dealt with in the middle of the park and Zeyad, Taha, Marzouk, Aaron and Hamza with  new signing Brad were working well and creating some good chances. Taz knocked a well placed free kick into the area, Sam chested it down, it hit off the keeper only for  Marzouk to pounce on it and lash it home for 1-1. This was encouraging and revved up the whole team, play continued in a positive and determined fashion.  

HCR won a corner and Zeyad’s delivery was nearly met by Aaron who competed for it, however Sam curled it into the back of the net allowing the home side to take the lead for the first time in today’s proceedings.

HCR played out the rest of the game with confidence with Bearwood making a fine forward attack which was cleared by Aaron who had tracked back to clear the danger. Marzouk won the ball in the middle of the pitch and sent Hamza through 1 on 1 and Hamza finished neatly to bring the home side’s tally to 3 for the day. Play continued until the final whistle with no further goals recorded.

A tense game but a fine finish against a good side in Bearwood. Character shown to come back from a one goal deficit. Today’s man of the match goes to Sam for his energy, persistence and strong role in defence.

HCR Match Report 14.10.12

AFC Hinksford  1  VS   Halesowen Community Rangers 2

Goal scorers:

Sam and Chris

The rangers made the journey to the picturesque setting for this away fixture with Hinksford. It was  a lovely playing surface  and there were wonderful rural  views all around. Despite the lovely blue skies we were without the inform Hamza Javaid, who was sidelined with an ankle injury, we were always going to miss his lethal threat in front of goal and on the wing.

The first half saw Hinksford having the lion’s share of possession and  forcing Javon into action on a number of occasions. Javon Bailey is a quality keeper and plays with a smile on his face, he is truly a pleasure to watch. He was forced to make a double save from a Hinksford free kick.

Halesowen whilst not playing to their potential in the first half had their moments; Chris was running up and down the left wing, winning balls and outpacing the defender, he created a wonderful chance for Marzouk who hit the post. When HCR put on the pressure it was impressive and this time Marzouk fed Chris who forced a save from the confident Hinksford keeper. Once again Chris and Marzouk combined with Marzouk heading just over the bar.

Javon was 1 on 1 with a Hinksford forward, Javon cleared the ball and within minutes Javon calmly made another  great save to keep the score 0-0.

Our new look back four, Matty, Sam, Paddy and Tarik were combining well showing organisation and commitment with Sam making a vital final clearance, great stuff Sam. AFC won a corner and Javon got his hands to it. Then Paddy made a committed and well timed tackle to cancel out the AFC attack.

AFC continued to put us under pressure with us failing to retain possession in the middle of the park.  Marzouk managed some of his magical play with his shot going just wide. Maien was energetic and causing all sorts of trouble, he was attacking in the box and was the recipient of a push in the back but nothing was given.  

Hinksford broke from a corner, a through ball split the Halesowen defence  allowing their forward a 1 on 1 opportunity with Javon. Javon had no choice but to commit himself to the ball, and his unintentional connection with the player left the referee pointing to the spot which was converted for 1 – 0 to the home team. It was a blow for the visitors to concede just before the half time whistle was blown.

Half time score AFC Hinksford  1   Vs   Halesowen Community Rangers  0

The half time team talk must have been inspiring as Halesowen Community Rangers entered the field of play with some more energy and belief. The midfield of Marzouk, Taha, Aaron, Chris and Zeyad were winning more balls and contending. Halesowen were awarded a corner which was taken by Marzouk and Sam hit sweetly with his left foot  into the back of the net, a quality finish from Sam .Sam has a knack of scoring hugely important goals for HCR,  as  was this one  – the all important equaliser that our improved play warranted.

Confidence and energy was up, Mohamed  was lively and shot just wide, he then set Aaron up with a great ball which Aaron did well to get to and his shot was collected by the keeper. Maien was a revelation upfront, busy, threatening and skilful and he  forced a great save.

The game was end to end with both teams pushing hard for the winner, AFC won a corner which Taha cleared, Sam then made  a crucial challenge with Javon gathering to make sure the ball didn’t cross the line.

Zeyad was playing with renewed energy and making great forward runs but shot over the bar, nearly grabbing the winner, on another day it would have sailed into the net. He didn’t give up he kept going and crossed an exquisite ball into the area, Maien unselfishly left it for Chris to smash into the back of the net. His team mates proceeded to swamp  him in a pile on to show their appreciation. Halesowen had audaciously grabbed the winner ahead of the final whistle, no doubt a blow to Hinksford but sheer joy to the rangers as their improved passage of play deserved this outcome.

There were many candidates for Man of The Match, Javon saving the day on many occassions, Paddy with his last ditch tackles, Zeyad with his no nonsense football which elicited the killer cross for the winning goal.

Today’s Man of the Match goes to Chris for his industry in the first half and for scoring the all important winning goal and opening his HCR account. Well done Chris.

A very entertaining game of football with Halesowen not at their best but showing great character and determination to come back from conceding a goal before half time to take home all three points and we look forward to moving up the league table.

Well done to everyone !

Pics from Awards Night 2012

A few nice memories from the summer, what a fantastic Awards Night - well deserved by the squad. Here they are photographed with the Mayor of Dudley.

But can we do it again this season?

Yes we can!

Keep the faith and believe in yourselves.

 

Halesowen Community Ranger 5 Vs Trysull Tigers East 0

HCR Match Report 7.10.12

Halesowen Community Ranger 5   Vs  Trysull Tigers East 0

Goal scorers:

 Hamza 3

Marzouk

Mohamed

After a wobbly start to the 2012/13 campaign HCR are now starting to acclimatise to the altitude in Division 2 and demonstrate their ability to compete at this higher level.

HCR welcomed Trysull Tigers East to Hurst Green for this home encounter. HCR were looking lively so too were the tigers, Hamza played in a great cross which was swiftly cleared by the visitors. HCR’s competent back 4 of Tariq, Sam, Paddy and Matty were working hard and were communicating well and seeing off most of the danger.

Marzouk won the ball well and his first time shot was collected by the keeper,   the HCR faithful knew it was only a matter of time before we would convert as the passes were being strung together and there was a forward energy.  It was no surprise when Mohamood linked up well with Hamza to opening the scoring as Hamza despatched the ball decisively into the bottom right hand corner of the net for 1-0.

The tails were up and more attacking play was in evidence with Mohamood shooting on target forced  the Tiger’s keeper to make a great save. Up the other end Trysull made a surging run for what was a certain equaliser only to be denied by a quality save from Javon.

Half time score HCR 1 – Trysull Tigers East 0

The second half started with gusto and within minutes Mohamed fed the ball to Hamza who made no mistake for 2-0.

HCR were enjoying a lion’s share of the possession with Zeyad, Taha, Aaron and Marzouk passing the ball well and tracking back to regain possession when necessary. Paddy and Javon were combining well to eliminate any problems at the back. Mohamood battled to win the ball, passed to Marzouk who fed Mohamed who slotted home for 3-0.

With the momentum with us Marzouk scored a great individual goal twisting and turning and finishing a well-crafted goal to bring the tally to 4-0. The inform Marzouk went on a similar run and skilfully took the ball around the keeper only to shoot just wide of the post. Aiman was battling well on the right wing and Hamza was brought down on the edge of the box, he coolly stepped up to despatch the awarded penalty into the back of the net to complete his hatrick, his second in two games, bringing the score to 5-0.

The excitement didn’t stop there and HCR continued to press and create, with both Aaron and Taha being denied by the woodwork before the final whistle. Three points, five goals and a clean sheet. The 13 men of HCR combined well as a unit with all players contributing to a fine display. Well done to you all.  

MAN OF THE MATCH went to Tariq who was very disciplined in a new position, held his back line well and put in some important challenges.

It was great to see Maien and Jack on the side lines, wishing them both well.

Welcome Back

Welcome back to the HCR Blog for Season 2012 - 2013

Let's get blogging but more importantly let's get winning!

Street League – changing lives through football

Street League is a charity using football to help some of the UK’s most disadvantaged young people. Club Website editor Dan Pope paid them a visit this month.


Football is a powerful thing. It can alter a person’s mood in the blink of an eye but, when harnessed correctly, it can even change people’s lives.

Street League is an organisation that does exactly that. They use the positive power of football to help some of the UK’s most disadvantaged young people to make a positive change in their lives.

There are currently more than one million 16-25 year-olds out of work in the UK. That’s one in five.

The brainchild of Damian Hatton – a doctor who wanted to provide a positive focus for the homeless people he saw regularly in A&E – Street League was setup in London in 2001 and hasn’t looked back, now operating in five centres across the UK.

They are focused on helping the most disadvantaged 16-25 year old NEETs (Not in Employment, Education or Training), who are often ex-offenders, have been excluded from school or who have a history of substance abuse.

How it works

Using weekly ‘Street Football’ drop-in sessions to attract new recruits, Street League run an intensive eight-week academy that combines football and education to help participants improve their employability levels.

Run four days a week from 9am, the academy provides a structured programme of two hours educational training followed by two hours of football – the game acting as an incentive for students to do their work each day.



Participants receive help with CV writing, goal setting and gaining qualifications. They also take part in mock interviews and employability workshops, whilst one-to-one careers advice and support is offered throughout.

The results speak for themselves. Three out of four (75%) academy graduates find employment, training or get back into education.

That currently works out at over 600 young people a year – 65% of whom find their way back into work. Street League aims to increase that figure to 2,000 by 2014, when they hope to be in 12 different cities across the UK.

The participant

I met some of the latest Street League graduates when I attended this month’s London South West graduation, including Ashley – a young man who had recently come out of prison and was hoping that Street League could help him turn his life around.

“It wasn’t the best 10 months of my life,” Ashley told me. “It’s obviously not a good thing, but it’s done now. I’d like to leave it behind me and get on with my life.”




"Being part of Street League been good. I’ve been here seven weeks now and I don’t want to leave.”

A talented footballer, Ashley (right) was made captain of the academy side and his influence on the pitch was reflected in his progress off it.

“I was proud to be made captain, but I also felt this responsibility on my shoulders to help other people. It made me realise that I can take on responsibilities that I didn’t think I could take on before.”

“I know I can finish things now. Before I never finished anything in my life. In school I got kicked out early. In college I got kicked out early. I came here and realised I can finish things if it’s something that I’m motivated to do.”

The co-ordinator

Motivation is key to Street League’s model, as students are often in a cycle of facing few prospects, having little direction and receiving only negative feedback.

“I think the model we’ve got really works,” Sean Porter, Progessions Officer at the South West academy, told me. “16-25 year-olds are a notoriously difficult group to engage and football is such a powerful tool to achieve that.

“It’s good to get these guys motivated, to break them out of their routine, to get them active, to make them aware of what skills they’ve got and what opportunities they’ve got out there.




“All they hear is ‘recession, recession’ but there are lots of opportunities out there. It’s just about making sure they’re aware of what they are, how to access them and how to sell themselves once they’ve accessed them. I think the programme works really well.”

“Football is the most important element. Ultimately it’s a bit of smokescreen for what we’re trying to achieve but, without it, these guys wouldn’t be engaged.”

Sean is one of three people who run the South West academy, like all Street League centres across the UK. He handles all employability, life skills and career advice work, while Youth and Community Coach Erkan Ibrhaim handles the sports coaching, football training and outreach work to get participants involved.

The success story

Working alongside Sean and Ibrahim is Apprentice Coach Rowan Simon, himself a former participant at Street League. Rowan left school at 17 with few qualifications, no direction in his life and negative feedback ringing in his ears.

One teacher told him that he would “end up in prison”, which re-inforced a cycle of disruptive behaviour that ended, in February 2009, with a 15-month prison sentence.

Rowan spent the first five months out of prison in limbo, not even signing on. He was on the verge of re-joining his old gang when his probation officer referred him to Street League in December 2010.

Rowan with colleagues and graduates from the South West Academy

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Rowan told me. “I just knew I had the chance to play football and that I could get some qualifications. Football was the thing that stood out. That’s what made me be there.”

“I remember once early in the academy, somebody asked me what skills or qualifications I have and I said I didn’t have any.

“Then he made me realise that there are transferrable skills that everybody has. It’s just a case of recognising them.”

Rowan has been working at the South West academy for the last 18 months, providing help and guidance to those young people in the same position that he once was.

“I can give them the same sort of help I got. I can relate to them ’cause I was in the same position as them, so I bridge the gap between the staff and the participants.”

You could call him the manager’s number two in the Street League dressing room. It is a familiar role in the Street League setup, as half of all London operations staff, and one in four nationally, are former academy graduates.

The boss

But the ability to connect with participants is only part of the reason why Street League re-employ so many graduates, as Chief Executive Matt Stevenson-Dodd explained.

“We try our best to employ as many people as we can from the front line. There is just no better person to lead our courses than someone who has been through it.

“But we’re all about employability here, so we have to be able to put our money where our mouth is. If we can’t take on our own graduates, why should we expect anybody else to? Practicing what we preach is important.”


This is anything but a token gesture.

The value that Street League place on their graduates was evidenced perfectly last week when Street League won the P&G UK Impact Award at the Beyond Sport Awards.
With Lord Coe presenting the award, one might expect the CEO to provide the public face of the organisation.

But Matt and Rowan took the stage together to collect the award, and it was the ex-academy graduate who gave the acceptance speech on behalf of Street League.
Not bad for someone in the “first proper job” they have ever had.

Already a charity partner of the FA and 10 Downing’s Street volunteering partner, the award marks another step on Street League’s upward trajectory and highlights football’s extraordinary ability to change people’s lives.

“The power of football is so incredible here,” the Chief Exec continued. “I’ve been in youth work for over 20 years and I’ve never seen anything as powerful as football at engaging people. It’s phenomenal. It just speeds up the whole thing.

“The youth worker relationship can take three- to six months to build properly. You can do it in days in football, because it’s just so powerful. It’s incredible.”

The future

With a sixth centre opening in Liverpool next month and a further six planned for 2014, it seems the sky is the limit for this organisation with the beautiful game at its heart.

“Football can be a really powerful force for good. It’s just what you do with it,” added Stevenson-Dodd. “We’ve got something here that’s just amazing. It’s working really well. Our challenge is to take that further and wider and see how far we can go with this.




“Now it’s all about the outcome. It’s all about the impact and what happens in that young person’s life.

“If you can get them into a job, that young person is no longer claiming benefits, they are paying taxes, they’re more likely to sustain a home and a sustainable relationship.

“People like the Prince’s Trust have proved this time and again. It’s saving £50,000 a year for the taxpayer getting someone into a job when they are 16, 18, 20, and they are more likely to sustain a job for life then, which is so important.

“It’s a long term investment here.

“There are one million young people out of work. I think don’t our job is to try to find a job for a million people. Our job is to make sure that the most people in the most need are helped and have a chance to compete on a level playing field.”

Dan Pope, Club Website editor

How can I help?

If you’d like to show your support for Street League, there are a number of ways you can get involved, from raising money through your football team to offering your services as a volunteer or even employment opportunites through your company.

“We’re really keen to build a movement here of the people who believe in the power of football to change lives,” said Stevenson-Dodd. “Can any of your members or their businesses give our young people a chance? Can they give them an entry level job?

“One thing we can promise is they will be motivated. I hear this all the time from employers, all they want is people who are motivated and ready for work.

“That’s what we’re able to do.”

To find out more about Street League visit streetleague.co.uk.

Giving young players confidence to try new things

Every footballer needs to try new things on the pitch to improve, but young players may lack confidence to do so. Kids Coach Naomi Richards tells us how we can help.

Sometimes we just have to go with our own intuition. No-one can tell us what to do.

Playing football for example. Someone passes the ball to us and we have to make a snap judgement of whether we are going to dribble with it for a while, pass to someone on our left or our right or, if we are relatively near the goal, to take aim and shoot.
Whether it is us or our children playing football it is the same quick thinking that needs to be done.

What we do know is that each game our child plays is going to be different. Not everyone in their team is going to be feeling the same as they did last week and your child may never have played against the opposition before and so will not know their strengths and their weaknesses.

So what can we, as parents and coaches, do to help?

Well, we need to allow and trust our children to try something new if they need to during the game and they can only do this if they have the confidence to do it and are not afraid of making a mistake in trying out a new move.

We have a crucial role to play in giving children the confidence to express themselves on the pitch. Here are just a few things we can do to help:

* Praise and talk to them about what they are doing right;
* Explain that everyone makes mistakes and that it is better to try something new and not do so well than not to try at all;
* When they make a mistake discuss it. Get them to learn and grow from it;
* Put them back in the game so they move on from the mistake;
* Put them in a mindset of if they make a wrong judgement it does not make them a failure or an awful player;
* Don’t focus on their mistake – discuss and let go;
* As a parent or coach model how you deal with mistakes. Teach your children by showing them what you do.


Naomi Richards is The Kids Coach – a life coach for children. Her first book, The Parent’s Toolkit, shares key life tools for you to help your children successfully navigate their own childhood problems and grow up into happy, confident and resilient young adults.
The Parent’s Toolkit was described by The Sun as “clear and to the point… a must-read for parents”. It is published by Vermillion and is available to buy on Amazon.co.uk.

Put your questions to The Kids Coach

If you’ve got a question for Naomi or would like to hear advice on a particular topic relating to young footballers, please leave a comment below, email us at clubnews@clubwebsite.co.uk or tweet Naomi at @thekidscoach.

Whether it’s about how we can take pressure off kids after a game, teaching them acceptance and tolerance of other members of the team or something completely different, tell us what you’d like to read about in Naomi’s next column.

Strictly Grass Roots Football with Robbie Savage and Russell Grant

Strictly Come Dancing contestants Robbie Savage and Russell Grant will be teaming up again at the NEC in Birmingham later this month, all in the name of grass roots football.

The two Strictly Come Dancing stars, who have become good friends following their chance meeting on the popular BBC primetime show, will be appearing at The Grass Roots Football Show between the 25^thand 27^th May.

Grant, who’s first ever job was an unpaid archivist and statistician for the Middlesex FA, will be appearing at the show as part of his role as ambassador for the Non League Association and will join former Premier League star and now media pundit, Savage, in a football seminar in the main arena on the Saturday.

Savage, an ambassador for The Grass Roots Football Show, said; “Not many people know that Russell has such a passion for grass roots football.

“We became really good mates during Strictly Come Dancing and see each other quite a bit now that the show is finished.  When I mentioned The Grass Roots Football Show to him he was very keen to get involved and I am delighted he is going to be joining us for the three days at the NEC.

“We might not seeing any dancing at the NEC but I will try and get his twinkle toes in a pair of football boots over the weekend and see what his skills are like.”

Russell, who helped design the club badge for his beloved Brentford FC, said; “I have heard so much about the show from Robbie and I can’t wait to meet the grass roots football family at the NEC.

“We might have to swap our sequins for football kits throughout the weekend but I am really looking forward to three days of nonstop football.”

The Grass Roots Football Show 2012 is the biggest football event of its kind in Europe and takes place at the NEC in Birmingham between 25^th and 27^th May.

Tickets are priced at £12 for adults and £6 for under 16’s. Buy your tickets today at http://www.grassrootsfootball.co.uk/tickets/

For more information about The Grass Roots Football Show go to www.grassrootsfootball.co.uk

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or follow Grass Roots Football  on twitter http://twitter.com/grfootball

London 2012 Football Tournament – tickets on sale now

Young footballers must see respect to show respect

Many mums and dads love it when their children say they want to play football because it can teach their children valuable life skills.

It teaches them how to work as a team where they can develop their hand to eye co-ordination, make lots of like-minded friends, have fresh air, exercise and, more importantly, have fun.

Some parents are happy to take their children along to practice and games and are not too bothered if their child plays well, has a bad day or if their child’s team wins or loses. Other parents are less relaxed, are more vocal and want to be part of the game.

These parents might shout instructions from the sidelines to their children, shout at the ref or make criticisms of other players – from either team – so that other parents and children around them can hear.

Is it a good thing to be so vocal? What is the message that we are sending our children when they hear a parent, possibly their own, verbally abusing the ref or another player?

What does it say to them?

What can you do if you are not one of those parents who is being disrespectful but the person next to you is? What could you say to get them to tone down their language?

Is it fair for a parent to be shouting instructions at their child when the coach is watching the game and using encouraging language to get them to play better, stronger?

Think about your child and what kind of adult you would like them to be when they get older. What kind of life skills would you like them to have? Would you like them to have respect for others and respect for authority?



Would you like your children to be kind and respectful to the other players during the game?
If so, then we need to consider the way we act and speak to people during and after a training session or game.

Respect is about asking someone to do something instead of shouting. It’s about talking nicely to people and thinking about other’s needs. How would you like to be spoken to?

How do you feel when you are criticised?

It is also about listening to others and accepting the decisions sometimes that other people make. As parents we need to model that behaviour and teach our children to ‘do as we do’.
We have to live our values and if one of those is respect, then we’ve got to behave in a respectful way.

We need to set a good example to our children as we are their role models. If they grow up seeing us treat others with manners then they will want to do the same. This is particularly important when we are communicating with other parents who are watching the game who are not setting the best example.

If we only tell them to respect others and don’t do it ourselves, then they will learn how to be a hypocrite.

Naomi Richards is The Kids Coach – a life coach for children, helping them address behavioural and emotional issues an interactive, creative and supportive way using both face-to-face sessions and workshops.



Naomi’s first book, ‘The Parents Toolkit’, was published by Vermilion in February 2012. To find out more visit www.thekidscoach.org.uk. You can also follow Naomi on Twitter at @thekidscoach.

FA youth proposals - one step to go

Football Association plans for a radical overhaul of youth football in England are just one step away from becoming reality.

The youth development proposals include a revised player pathway focused on small-sided football – including new 5v5 and 9v9 formats – up to the under 12s age group and a child-friendly approach to competition up to under 11s.

The ambitious plans received the approval of the FA Council earlier this month, leaving just one more hurdle to negotiate – a vote by FA shareholders at the AGM on 28 May – before work can begin on implementing the proposals.

If 75% of FA shareholders approve the rule changes relating to the revised player pathway and new competition formats then they will become mandatory practice, being phased in from the youngest age groups from the 2013/14 season onwards.

The most controversial element of the original proposals – a de-coupling of school and grassroots football age groups to combat the Relative Age Effect – was omitted from the proposals put to FA Council, although the FA will revisit this issue in due course.

For Nick Levett, the FA’s National Development Manager for Youth and Mini Soccer and the man behind the proposals, the AGM vote represents the final hurdle of a two and a half year project featuring extensive research and a nationwide consultation procedure, including over 125 events and engaging over 4,000 parents and coaches.

“I think we’re in a good place,” Levett told Club Website. “I hope that we’ve done enough. This is the next 15 to 20 years of youth football we’re talking about here.”

“[LMA Chairman and author of the FA's 1997 Charter for Quality] Howard Wilkinson stood up at the Council meeting and said that this was the most exciting and aspirational piece of work that he’d seen the FA do in years.

“If he recognises that it’s the right thing to do for the development and support of young players in the game, then we must be on the right track.”

The omission of the Relative Age Effect element of the proposals represents the biggest change to the FA’s final recommendations published in January.

This exclusion, says Levett, was due to “some concerns around it being the right solution, so it was decided it was best not to take that forward.

“That doesn’t mean that it’s off the agenda. It’s still a hugely important thing that we need to address. We can’t pretend it doesn’t exist, but maybe that wasn’t the right solution.”

Levett concedes that, were it down to him, the proposals being put forward to FA stakeholders might look slightly different, but he is happy that they represent the views of the majority of the grassroots community – the very point behind the FA’s extensive consultation.

Whilst the original plans may have been whittled down, the two proposals being put to the vote on 28 May still represent the biggest change to youth football since the introduction of mini soccer in 1999 – and they arguably go way beyond that.

If voted in, for the first time ever children will only begin to play on full size pitches at under 13s level while, for teams up to under 11s, the traditional league format will be replaced by three six-week ‘trophy events’, allowing all teams to play ‘competitive’ football for 18 weeks of a 26 week season, rather than all compete for a single league trophy over an entire season.

Club Website will bring you further details of the two elements of the proposals before the AGM on 28 May, so watch this space over the coming weeks for more details of what’s in store.

Champions 2011-2012!

Well done to the Under 15s team who won the league on Sunday with a 4-3 win over their close rivals Bearwood Sports FC.


In a tightly contended game, HCR went 2-0 down in the early part of the first half and it looked like it was game-on for Bearwood who only required another 8 goals to steal the league title in the very last match of the season.


But HCR showed their customary hard working spirit in getting straight back into the game and stepping up a few gears to dominate proceedings in the second half to win 4-3 with goals from Aaron, Rawaz (2) and Hamza.


Celebrations were wet and muddy to say the least. What a great achievement in only our second season in existence. As Raj told the boys at the end of the game, enjoy this feeling because football seasons played without losing a single game are one of life's rarities.

Match Report - 1st April 2012 - HCR vs Wordsley Wasps

Beautifully breezy and sunny conditions for today's match, Wordsley's last of the season. The pitch was dry and dusty and the bounce of the ball was hard to judge.

HCR won a corner which was delivered by Tariq, Marzouk squared Rawaz who put it behind.

Wordsley made a good attack which Matty did well to tackle just in time to reduce the danger. The Wordsley throw in was well headed out by Jack.

HCR were passing well and good interchanges were observed between Tariq, Jack and Hamza. Zayad payed a great ball to Hamza who narrowly missed the target sending the ball just wide - the flight of the ball was hard to judge. Sam had a chance that went just over. Followed closely by Jack playing in a superb ball to Sam who was heading home only for the Wordsley keeper to pull off a top drawer save.

HCR continued this better passage of play with Marzouk playing a fabulous one-two to Hamza, resulting in Marzouk finishing for 1-0 to commence the scoring.

The ball was pinging around and it seemed difficult for players to get the ball down and play. Jack crossed the ball in, Aaron and Sam were unable to connect.

Wordsley went on the counter but Rawaz cleared well.

Marzouk got his second of the day as he dribbled past several players and the advancing keeper for 2-0. HCR had one more good chance before half time when Aaron put the ball just over.

Half time score: Wordsley Wasps 0 HCR 2

In the second half Javon was called upon to make a great save early on, dealing with an awkward bounce. Wordsley applied the pressure and got their reward when they scored to bring it to 2-1.

There followed numerous chances from Tariq, Aaron, Hamza and Rawaz but despite the effort and against a great Wordsley keeper, nothing would go in.

Wordsley were awarded a freekick, Paddy got his head towards it only for the ball to be heading goalwards, luckily Aaron rose up and headed the ball out to prevent the Wasps from equalising.

Aaron and Hamza combined in a fabulous twisting run with the ball trickling just past the post.

HCR were holding onto their slim lead when Javon somehow managed to to grapple with a wayward ball to make an all important save. Wordsley continued to attack but Javon and Paddy were able to soak up the pressure. Whilst at the other end Josh, Maien and Matty all had good chances denied.

3 points, 2 matches to go.

Man of the match Marzouk.  

HCR to stage Under 15s Five-a-side Tournament on 14th July 2012

Halesowen Community Rangers would like to invite Under 15 soccer teams to our first ever Five-a-side Tournament which will take place at Goals Dudley, Cakemore Road, Rowley Regis, Dudley, B65 OQX on the 14th July 2012 - kick off at 10am. If your team would like to take part, please contact us for an application form. 7 players per team squad.  Fee - £20 per team entered. Applications must be returned by 22nd June 2012 Teams must be affiliated to a recognised FA youth league to ensure that all players and coaches have been through standard checking procedures. Please obtain a form from: Gamel Saleh    salehg1@hotmail.com or Theresa Millington   millies@blueyonder.co.uk