Middlesex FA Club of the Month November 2022
Coaches Reports 2018-20
SEPTEMBER 2020
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We kicked off 2020 with the start of the Middlesex FA Spring League with 3 squads competing across the over 50's and 60's age groups and 2 great fundraisers, the Swing and Soul evening and Mick H's Quiz Night.
But as we all know, Covid-19 took hold and from late March to June, lockdown took its toll.
The FA gave the green light for grassroots football to return and with the support of the Uxbridge Sports Club, we returned to training under the FA guidelines to restart football.
As a club we had to review our policies and procedures to ensure a safe return and John Handell took on the role as the Club Covid Officer with great success to date.
On the playing side social distancing has been a blessing in disguise as it has allowed me to focus everyone on defending to 2 metres, individually and as a team, resulting in minimal contact during play.
I have also been able to return to my coaching roots by working with smaller groups on all aspects of the game which over weeks has seen standards of play increase.
Our future aim is to get back to our regular sessions at the Leisure Centre, when ever possible, but continuing our focus on good Covid practice both on and off the field.
Regarding competitive matches, I am working with the Middlesex FA on restarting our League but only when it's safe to do so.
As always, thanks to all the Members and Committee for your support.
Mick
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DECEMBER 2019
As we come to the end of 2019 its good to reflect and review what has happened at the club.
The club continue to support the FA and County FA’s Walking Football strategy by taking a lead in developing walking football referee workshops, a walking football instruction video and organizing and co -ordinating the inaugural Middx FA walking football League at Hillingdon .
Our coaching philosophy of 3 touch.3 seconds and defend to within arms length is being adopted elsewhere as it is proving to reduce contact and improve the flow of the game which with no running/jogging is what Walking Football is all about.
The next point of discussion in 2020 will be pitch sizes as some clubs play on too big an area which encourages running 6v6 or even 7v7 on our standard pitch is about right.
We now have an established programme of sessions . Wednesdays and Fridays.
We recently achieved FA Mars Just Play status for our sessions which is part of our FA Charter criteria.
The club has 57 members of which 40 have represented the club in both the Middx League over 50s and 60s and in friendlies including a successful trip to Clevedon.
Our success on the field continues with a Spring Championship and Autumn runners up in the 60s Middx FA league with the Blues over 50s winning the Autumn Championship.After 4 straight Woking Cup victories we were narrowly beaten in highly contested tournament in the Final ,a testament on how far our game as come on 5 years in quality competitive Walking Football.
Off the field we were proud to be a Finalist in the London Sports Awards and receive a Grasssroots award from KItLocker .
We are also proud to have 8 club members FA first aid trained added to the members who already have the qualification that number increases to 14.
2020 will see more of the same with increased numbers of members , FA Charter standard sessions ,the Middx League starting in Feb/March, a trip to Clevedon and one other venue.
Our relationship with the Hillingdon Council and the Leisure centre continues to strengthen and we are confident our costs will remain the same and the facilities will continue to improve.
Finally a massive thanks to Mick H, John and Ken for their support in making us a club that others follow .
To Robbo,Ken,Mel,John and Mick H for their management skills on matchdays, Pete Harris and Barry Morris for their Referee support .
And to all our fantastic members for making us a club that has a National standing to envy.
Yours in Football
Mick
JULY 2018
September will see the 4th anniversary of the founding of the Uxbridge Amblers walking Fc
Over the past 4 years our club has evolved into one of the leading independent Walking Football Clubs in the country.
We started with 14 players with the support of the Middx FA and now we have 50 members enjoying the Friday club night and the Wednesday roll up session .
Our version of the beautiful game has exploded over the past 18 months and over 1000 sessions a week are delivered across the country.
As you all know I take a structured approach to our sessions . Warm ups and downs have reduced injuries in play . Ball familiarisation sessions support the warm up with a ball , small sided games in confined areas support 3 touch play and minimal contact which migrates to a full 7v7 game.
My approach is that all our sessions will be 3 touch play and defending to within half a yard is now a discussion point with other clubs . I know the FA rules do not play to those two conditions but if more clubs train that way competitive matches will be much improved.
The last key area that has improved by adopting 3 touch is the pace of the game is determined by the speed of pass not the pace of he player. For as long as I can remember running has been an issue but jogging is now the problem. I accept we will all jog from time to time but with a concerted effort we will achieve 95% success at playing walking football.
We now have 6 newly qualified FA First Aiders , our own difribulator and quality equipment and facilities to support our FA charter promise and as the summer continues to have a 1976 feel and we play on grass for a few weeks I am sure we are looking forward to playing on a brand new surface at the Ambledome. We continue to have 3 pitches booked and I am sure our numbers will increase so we can have a full house at the sessions.
Finally thanks for all your support.
Mick