Congratulations to Robins U8 and U9 Red teams, both of whom won their groups in the first ever N Wilts "Trophy Events" for mini-soccer teams played during December. The U8s played in a mini-knockout competition of 4 teams in which they won their semi-final and then the final to take the trophy, while the U9s competed in a 4 team mini-league in which they beat all 3 of the other teams to win their group. Both teams played some really exciting football and all the players thoroughly enjoyed this early taste of successfully competing for a trophy.
There wasn't time to actually hand out the trophies in December, but with everyone now back after the Christmas break, club chairman Paul Wainwright took time out from training on Saturday morning to congratulate the two teams and present the trophies to the successful teams. He commented "We're all proud of what these young players have acheived and, just as importantly, the way they are playing their football, which is a delight to watch. Well done to all the players, and thanks as ever to the coaches and the parents who help out as well."
The idea of the "Trophy Events" is an FA initiative to allow younger age groups to gradually get used to playing competitive football. Previously, teams would go from playing two years of development/friendly games where no results or League tables were published, straight into a 20+ week season-long league competition. The aim of the Trophy Events is to introduce the competitive element gradually and intersperse competitive fixtures with development league fixtures.
So this season the U9s will play 3 Trophy Events each consisting of 3-4 weeks of competitive football, making between 9-12 weeks of competitive football across the season as a whole, while the U7s and U8s will also take part in 3 Trohpy Events, but shorter in duration, each comprising just two games. The aim is to give the younger age groups a taste of competitive football, but without the pressure a full season-long competition can somtimes exert on what are still very young players. Hopefully it will aid all the players' development which can only lead to a stronger league - certainly here at Robins FC our teams have made a strong start!