22nd November 2016

Robins U11 win Autumn Trophy Event

Congratulations to Robins U11 who join their colleagues in the U9 and U10 teams in winning their group in the N Wilts League Autumn Trophy Event, the first Trophy Event of the 2016-17 season. It's a fantastic achievement for the team themselves, obviously, but also amazing for the club to have all five teams in the U9, U10 and U11 age groups win their Trophy Events. It's a real testament to the development work being done at all age groups within the club.

The successful U11 team

The U11s sealed their win in the group on 20th Nov with a convincing home victory over Chippenham Trojans, having previously defeated Blunsdon FC, Croft Juniors FC, Lydiard Millicent Juniors Green FC and Lydiard Youth Black. While all the score lines looked comfortable, they were all fought hard for, to achieve the victories.

This a superb achievement for this group which was a merger between last season's U10 Reds and Whites teams along with several players new to the squad, so along with lots of new personnel, they also had a new format to contend with in going to 9v9 football. They have all done well to adapt to the challenges set this season and a special mention to our captain Finn and vice captain Dante who have been solid and been great motivators to the team.

Also a special thank you to James for his company supplying us with our new Joma kit in addition, his great support in refereeing and his support in general and for all players parents and for guardians sticking by us and this group of players. Well done all, from Paul, Bryan and Andy!

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 U11s will play 3 Trophy Events of approx 6 weeks each, making around 18 weeks of competitive football across the whole season; the U10s and U9s age groups will play 3 Trophy Events each consisting of 3-4 weeks of competitive football, making between 9-12 weeks of competitive football in total; while the U7s and U8s will also take part in 3 Trophy Events, but shorter in duration. 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 and then gradually increase the length of the competitions year on year until finally the players take on a full season-long league at U12.

Further information on the FA's Youth Development review is available on the FA's main Youth Development Review page and locally on the Wilts FA website