Congratulations to Robins U7s who won their Trophy Event final on Sunday, completing a Robins treble across all the age groups competing in the first ever N Wilts Trophy Events (U7, U8 and U9). As reported last week, the U8s and U9 Reds won their groups in December, but due to a replay being required in the other U7s semi-final fixture, the U7s weren't able to complete their final until yesterday.
In the event, it was a lovely morning for a game of football and all the players responded well, with some great football played by both sides. Robins ran out worthy winners though and were presented with their trophies immediately after the game, just reward for playing so well in their first taste of competitive football.
The idea of the "Trophy Events" is an FA initiative arising from the recently adopted "Youth Development Review", a two-year study of how best to promote development in youth football in this country. The aim is 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; in contrast, Trophy Events aim 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!
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