Congratulations to Robins U10 Reds who were today presented with their trophies for winning their group in the Autumn Trophy Event, the first of the 2014-15 season. The team played in a 4 team mini-league in which they beat all 3 of the other teams to win their group, playing some really exciting football along the way in some tough games. This latest success follows on from last season's Trophy Event successes for U10 Reds who won 2 of their 3 trophy events, including a thrilling cup final win in the final knockout competition of 2013-14, as reported here
The trophies were handed out after this morning's game against Lydiard Millicent Green, themselves also winners of their group in the Autumn Trophy Event so it was nice to see both teams lining up side by side to receive their honours from League official Gerald Kent. It was especially nice to see both teams applaud each other as they each went up to be presented with their trophies, with the loudest cheer of the morning from the Robins lads for their friend and former team-mate, Corey Johnson, now playing for Lydiard Millicent (and playing really well, too, on this morning's evidence).
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 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 across the season as a whole, while the U7s and U8s will also take part in 3 Trophy 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.
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