Everyone at Grassroots has been working extremely hard over the past Month on a few exciting projects that we hope to bring to you in the near future.
We are also very proud to announce that we will be sponsoring the Chelmsford Sunday league for the coming season. This is another huge step in our aim to support the Grassroots game.
Having reached July we see the return of 11 a side football, Social media is full of requests for friendly matches, which shows so many of us are desperate to get back out there playing.
At the time of writing this England are still playing at Euro 24, there has been huge criticism over some of the performances, but we have continued to grind out the results needed. If we bring the trophy home, I wonder how many of the armchair critics will still be moaning?
Come on England!!
The Grassroots Team
If you would like to feature your Club, please email us at: grassrootsmag@btinternet.com
Chelmsford Sunday League
Sponsorship Announcement
Our mission to highlight the great community of grassroots football gets another brick laid in its foundation! Grassroots Magazine is proud to announce its sponsorship of the Chelmsford Sunday Football League, a premier league within the county. We are privileged to be associated with such a historic organisation.
Founded in 1962, the league has served the mid-Essex area for over half a century. During this time, several notable teams have represented the league in county cup final victories, a testament to the exceptional talent that has graced their pitches.
The 2024/2025 season will see 46 teams competing across four divisions, keeping the spirit of grassroots football alive and kicking!
GRM will deliver regular updates about the Chelmsford Sunday Football League throughout the coming season. We hope this association will flourish for many years to come, mirroring the league's impressive longevity. These updates will include match reports, results, photos, and league committee news, ensuring the Chelmsford Sunday Football League receives the recognition it deserves.
But wait, there's more! GRM remains dedicated to serving the entire grassroots community. Even if you're not affiliated with the Chelmsford Sunday Football League, we still want to hear from you! Are you a player, coach, club secretary, social media whiz, or a parent cheering from the sidelines? We want your stories!
Send your pictures, match reports, club announcements, and news of your charitable endeavours! As long as it's grassroots football, we are your mouthpiece to share your story with the thriving wider football community.
Together, let's celebrate the beautiful game at its most fundamental level. Please contact us at grassrootsmag@btinternet.com / 07749686398. We can't wait to hear from you
Broomfield FC held their annual 5 aside tournament over 2 weekends in June, it was an amazing well-run couple of weekends of football and fun delivered by an army of wonderful BFC volunteers and staff. Grassroots Magazine attended both weekends to run a fastest shot competition that went down well with the attendees, we would like to thank the Broomfield management team for letting us be part of these wonderful tournaments.
grassroots magazine
Autistic FC News update
Big Well-Done
To Frankie, Ryan and Charlie who recently won jack Petchey awards
On the 12th of July we take our seniors to play Manchester united inclusion team at their training ground. It’s going to be epic.
WHO WE ARE
The DT38 Foundation has beenset up in memoryof Dylan James Tombides.Dylan was an Australian International and WestHam United professional football player who passed away aged 20 in April 2014 after a 3-year battle with testicularcancer. The WestHam Family thought so highly of Dylan that theyretiredhis number38 and madeDT38 one of their principal charities.
The charity has beenformed as a resultof Dylan being misdiagnosed. Our vision is to change the way testicularcancer is diagnosed by implementingbest practicediagnostic guidelines for patients who presentwith testicularsymptoms.
We also aim to arm future generationsof young menwith the necessary knowledge about testicularcancer that will enable themto be confident when taking health matters intotheir own hands.
Our missionis to raiseawarenessand change the stigmaassociated with men’shealth issueswith a focus on testicularcancer.We aim to do this througheducational programsand opportunitiesfor the youth of our community,to help shapea generationof children who are selfaware about their health and wellbeing.
OUR MAIN GOALS ARE TO
✓ Drive the SELF-AWARENESScampaignfor the early detection of testicular cancer
✓ Focus on youth EDUCATION through various teaching programmes aligned to national curriculum
✓ Partnering with the COMMUNITY to promote the changes needed for increased male awareness and openness towards discussing their health matters
✓ Collaborating with GOVERNINGBODIES to foster a best practice mentality for the early detection of testicular cancer
OUR HISTORY
The charity is based in both the United Kingdom and Australia. The charity was launchedon the 28th February 2015in the United Kingdom when West Ham United came up againstCrystal Palace at Upton Park. At the 38th minute mark the spectators from both sides stood and clapped as a mark of respect. The charity officially launchedin Australia on September 1st 2015 when Premier Colin Barnett and the Tombides family unveiled a bronze statue of Dylan outside NIB Stadium- Perth’s home of football. Both events were extremely momentous occasionsand highlight the high regard in which Dylan was held both as a footballer and a person.
The charity has come about as a direct response too Dylan’s personal story and the current status of testicular cancer awareness in society. Testicular cancer affects younger men aged 15- 49. It is the second most commoncancer in young men in Australia. There was 732 cases diagnosedin Australia in 2011 and 25 deaths. The rate of men diagnosed with testicular cancer has grown 50% in the past 30 years and the reason is unknown.The survival rate is 98%. There is currently no routine screening tests in place for testicular cancer. We at the DT38 Foundationbelieve that awareness is the key to addressing this illness. We know that our vision and mission clearly state the changeswe plan to bring aboutin the future.
At the moment we have a small team of 4 directors and many volunteers in Perth, Western Australia. The foundationis growing at a rapid pace and so is the number of people becoming involved with DT38. We have found the need to have the Australian Company (DT38 Australia Pty Ltd) registered as a charity and the direction we are heading is very clear to us. We are now at the stage where we require funding to assist us in beginning various projects.
We at DT38 recognise the potential impact we canhave on a large scale and are proud to be part of an organizationlike ours. We believe that we have the correct structures and procedures in place to assist us in developing our key milestones and we lookforward to continuingto spread the DT38 message with the world. To read about our latest developments head to our newspage
Debden Sports EST. 1948
The History of the Club
THE PAST:
In 1948 a group of young men, and some not so young, got together and formed BARFIELD'S CRICKET CLUB which was based at Avondale Drive, South Loughton; although a majority of members live in Debden. In 1950, to establish an identity more in line with its origins, the club changed its name to DEBDEN CRICKET CLUB. A further name change occurred in 1954, when, with the formation of the club’s first football team the name DEBDEN SPORTS CLUB became more appropriate.
The club was only 10 years old when in 1958 it moved to its present home at Chigwell Lane, Loughton. With the aid of a grant of £400 from the National Playing Fields Association a clubhouse / pavilion was purchased and by a lot of hard work from those early members it was erected on its present site Football continued to flourish and 1970 saw the start of Sunday teams playing in Debden’s colours. By the mid 1970’s the club's origin (cricket) was languishing but the amalgamation with Selby Cricket Club in 1976 was its revival. A further amalgamation in 1986 with long established Higham's Park Cricket Club (founded in 1908) was a strengthening of both ability and fixtures. However, the club’s backbone had been football, and over the years junior teams at under 12’s, under 13’s, under 14s and under 16’s have produced players for the Saturday and Sunday senior sides to such good effect that in 1993 a Saturday veteran team was formed
Minority sports and activities have not been neglected and have been organised as and when demand dictated. Competitive Table Tennis (1966), competitive Darts (1986) and a Homing Pigeon section (1991) continue to thrive. At one time clay pigeon shooting was popular and held regularly, but we should mention ceased prior to the pigeon section starting.
Over the years additional facilities and amenities have been added to the original clubhouse/ pavilion; a brick-built toilet and shower block and an extra changing room The increase in private car ownership necessitated the building of a tarmac car-park and with the introduction of flood lighting it can “double up” as a wet weather training area Further floodlights have been installed over part of the ground adjacent to Chigwell Lane to provide an area for mid-week football training, thereby relieving the pressure on the pitches. In 1993 an all-weather matting cricket net was laid nearer the pavilion and replace the old net in the far corner of the ground.
We have also been fortunate to attract a very good sponsor in Higgins and can only thank them for the help over the last few seasons. The improvements made to the ground due the sponsorship has made the club more attractive to the eye
THE PRESENT:
The club’s management and administration continues to maintain the original objective set out nearly fifty years ago, namely :-
“To offer a variety of sporting activities to the locality of Debden and the surrounding districts.”
The club unfortunately has lost its Cricket and Darts sections but still has several sections listed below
Football :
Saturday 4 veterans' teams
Sunday 3 adult teams
Table Tennis: Mid-week 4 league teams
Pigeons: Friday 2 league teams
Petangue : Weekends Friendly matches
THE FUTURE:
As we now look to the future we can only hope to improve 2023/24 season saw us have some great success, with Debden Sports Reserves winning Div 2 (Corinthian League) so will now play in Div 1 and Debden Sports 3rd Team were runners up in Div 7 (Corinthian League) so will now play in Div 6 next season. We have teams in the Essex Veteran’s League, Brentwood Sunday League & Essex Sunday Corinthian League.
We are also actively looking at our club house and facilities and hopefully with the right funding we would like to rebuild our club house and improve the drainage to the pitches. We know fund raising is difficult, but all our members are now looking to push forward and help get the required funding in place The club is also blessed in the fact that our younger members are taking an active role in managing the club.
We would also like to increase the number of sports played at the club and hope to encourage some younger teams and a female football team. If we do improve our facilities this should make this aim even easier.
We would like to thank our sponsor Higgins for their continued support .
ROLE OF HONOUR
Debden Sports was started by:
Bill Lane
Len Rowe
Carried on by:
George Binet
Ex-players who have been at the club for 50 years plus and still play an Active role in the club:
Mick Nunn
Dave Daltrey
Cliff Moss
Martin Brazier
John Falconer
On yer bike!
Cyclists across the country prepare to take on Cycle the Month challenge for Prostate Cancer UK
This August, thousands of cyclists will go the extra mile – or 100 - and take part in Prostate Cancer UK’s successful cycling challenge,Cycle the Month, to raise money for the leading men’s health charity.
Now in its fifth year, Cycle the Month will see supporters around the UK saddling up and hitting 100 miles on the bike this summer to raise money towards lifesaving treatments for prostate cancer.
Everyone taking part in 2024 will be joining an intrepid team of fundraisers who have raised a remarkable £2.3 million since 2020. One of those is 74-year-old Barry Jessop, from Gloucestershire, who is gearing up to take on his fifth Cycle the Month challenge. Barry was successfully treated for prostate cancer after being diagnosed in 1994 and is marking 30 years since his diagnosis by cycling 100 miles this August.
He said: “After my diagnosis, I made a promise to myself that if I ever got well enough to get back on my bike, I’d like to take part in charity cycle rides to try to help others.
“Prostate Cancer UK were always there for me when I needed answers, so supporting the charity was always going to be my first choice.
“The best thing about Cycle the Month is the camaraderie between fellow cyclists, who are mostly strangers; we all post our updates online and no matter how well or badly a ride has gone, we all support one another.”
Seren Evans, Head of Events & Community Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our team of remarkable riders in taking on Cycle the Month, raising vital funds for Prostate Cancer UK this August.
“Sadly, 1 in 8 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK, but the efforts that every Cycle the Month rider is going to this August will mean that we’re able to invest into more research into this disease.
“We thank everyone who is taking part in Cycle the Month – and all of our fundraisers across the UK – for their support.”
For more information about how to sign up to Cycle the Month 2023, visitcyclethemonth.prostatecanceruk.org.
Prostate Cancer UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1005541) and in Scotland (SC039332). Registered company 02653887.
About Cycle the Month
o Cycle the Month is a virtual challenge for cyclists everywhere.
o Sign up and cycle 100 miles over August
o Take on Cycle the Month alone or get your mates together and form a team Share your progress using Strava or log your miles manually on your fundraising page to keep track.
o Every mile you tick off and every pound you raise will help fund lifesaving research for the 1 in 8 men affected by prostate cancer in the UK.
o Find out more about Cycle the Month at cyclethemonth.prostatecanceruk.org
About Prostate Cancer UK
o Prostate Cancer UK is the largest men’s health charity in the UK, striving for a world where no man dies of prostate cancer.
o The charity works to give every man the power to navigate the disease: by helping men understand their risk through our award-winning online risk checker; by providing them with trusted support and the information they need to make the right treatment choices for them; or by empowering them to make improvements for their path ahead, and for the paths of generations to come.
o Prostate Cancer UK is the driving force in prostate cancer research in the UK. Investing millions into the best researchers in the world to unravel the complexity of the disease, the charity has improved how men are diagnosed through funding cutting-edge technology like more accurate MRI scans. The charity works to give men precise and personalised care with the right treatments at the right time, for the best chance of living the full life they want and spending more time with those they love.
o Prostate Cancer UK also supports men living with and after prostate cancer, providing services like a Specialist Nurses helpline to give expert advice, and working with the NHS and its Clinical Champions to change the healthcare system so men are more involved in decisions and empowered to navigate prostate cancer.
About Prostate Cancer
o Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men.
o 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer.
o If you’re over 50, if you’re Black, or if your dad or brother have had it, you’re at even higher risk.
o Most men with early prostate cancer don’t have symptoms.
o Go to www.prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker for our 30-second online risk checker to find out what you can do about it, and learn about a free blood test you can get from your GP.
o More than 52,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year on average – that's 143 men every day.
o Every 45 minutes one man dies from prostate cancer – that's more than 12,000 men every year.
o Around 475,000 men are living with and after prostate cancer.
Anyone with concerns about prostate cancer may contact Prostate Cancer UK's Specialist Nurses in confidence on 0800 074 8383 or online via the Live Chat instant messaging service:www.prostatecanceruk.org. The Specialist Nurse phone service is free to landlines and open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays, 10am to 5pm on Wednesdays.
Match Soccer Football 4
All is an Essex based Footballing School run and managed by head coaches Paul and Dan who are based primarily in Bicknacre, Essex.
Born through an initial and continuing partnership with the grassroots club, Danbury and Bicknacre Youth Football Club, they provide early years coaching for local 3 to 6-year-olds and offer a unique pathway for their graduates to progress into the club to begin their journey into grassroots mini soccer.
Paul and Dan, as well as their team of young coaches, hold a strong belief and ethos in ensuring all of their sessions are fun, enjoyable and inclusive for all regardless of age or ability. Through this they have graduated 3 successful teams into the club with a further 2 teams ready to go from this coming September.
They have seen the school grow from offering the early year’s pathway into also hosting successful and popular holiday camps throughout the calendar year for students from 4 to 11 years old. The team also offer Birthday Parties, 1:1 Coaching and most recently have established an Advanced Development Centre session in Maldon on Friday Evenings, aimed at players from 6 to 11 years old who want additional coaching for further development but with no pressure on performance.
Both Paul and Dan are hugely proud of the success they have had through Match Soccer and with Danbury and Bicknacre FC both on and off the football pitch, their passion for seeing all of the boys and girls they coach grow and develop whilst ensuring the progress is deep rooted in enjoyment is evident and visible in the feedback and endorsements they have received.
Some great feedback from some of our Parents
Thank you to team Match Soccer for another fantastic football camp George loved it!
Simply the best soccer camp my kids have ever been to. Lynsey
Unlike other camps my kids have come home asking when the next one is!! Michelle
It was lovely to see such a blend of boys and girls having so much fun on Friday, I haven’t watched before, but the laughter was infectious! Andy
My son has been attending MS for 3 years and each camp he has made new friends, he now has such a wide group of friends across all ages, he loves it!! Issac
Having been involved in kids' football for 15 years I have never seen coaches that have the kids so engaged, it’s amazing and the kids love it. Wendy
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LEAGUES LOCAL ADULT
LEAGUES LOCAL YOUTH
SUNDAY
23/24
23/24
ESSEX FA
GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL AWARDS FOR ESSEX VOLUNTEERS
Heroes of Grassroots Receive Prestigious Recognition
Essex football volunteers who’ve contributed their time and energy for the benefit of parents,coaches,clubs,leagues,fellow volunteers, match officials and more have been recognised with 2024 Grassroots Football Awards for Essex.
The awesome local volunteers who’ve give so much, week in, week out, rain or shine, have been appreciated through this year’s awards, which say thank you to all the people and organisations who give their time to make the game happen.
Essex football has taken the opportunity to pass on appreciation for these volunteers thanks to a recent nomination process which has enabled the Essex County FA to highlight these amazing people, share their story nationally, celebrate them and say a huge thank you.
Nominations included details of what the nominees do, how they make a difference to others’ lives and where they’ve had an impact in their community. Essex’s winners were:
Coach of theYear (Female Pathway): Varsha Patel (FC Redwing), Highly Commended: Ian Hogan (Buckhurst Hill YFC)
Coach of theYear (Male Pathway): Chris Mascall (Dagenham United FC), Highly Commended: Harvi Singh (Buckhurst Hill YFC) and Riz Khan (Bealonians YFC)
Coach of theYear (Disability Pathway): Fin Morton (Lancaster Lions FC)
Club of theYear: Ridgeway Rovers FC, Highly Commended: Little Canfield Stars FC
YoungVolunteer: Zoe Eldridge (Valley GreenYFC), Highly Commended: Max (Essex Minors (Hornchurch) FC) and Eden (Basildon Boys & Girls Club FC)
NewVolunteer of theYear: Carl Oliver (Colchester UnitedWomen FC)
Grounds Team of theYear: Brian Rafis (Blackmore FC)
Match Official: Graham Austin, Highly Commended: Matt Jarvis (Blackwater & Dengie Youth League)
Keeping Football Positive Award: Jozef Dymond (Southminster United FC)
Lioness Award: Deva Sunassee (Central Park Allstars FC), Highly Commended: Debbie Leitch (Essex Women's Walking Football League)
Bobby Moore Award: Sheryl MacRae
Lana Gillard, Essex County FA Football Development Officer, was delighted to see so many local nominations, commenting: “Thank you to everybody who put a deserving volunteer forward for these awards. It’s always rewarding when the countless volunteers who deserve recognition across the county receive a nomination in the various categories. Everyone deserves a great deal of praise... and congratulations to all the winners!”
If you’d like to get involved with grassroots Essex football as a volunteer, visit www.essexfa.com/volunteers. You can also interact with @EssexCountyFA on Twitter/X and ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook.
ESSEX FA
EXPLORE THE ‘BRILLIANT BASICS’ OF FOOTBALL VOLUNTEERING
EE Playmaker Course Supports Active Grassroots Football Roles
Existing and future grassroots volunteers can access the entry-level ‘EE Playmaker’ online course, which will navigate them around the competencies of volunteering at grassroots level whilst creating fun, safe and inclusive football experiences.
While EE Playmaker is a football course, there is no need to have extensive football knowledge or experience to get the most out of it. The ‘brilliant basics’ of football are being nurtured by the course, providing a toolkit for anybody aged 14+ through five, free, engaging modules. No previous experience or qualifications in the game are required prior to signing-up.
The focus throughout is about providing skills, guidance and tips so anyone can help create safe, fun and inclusive football. The modules include:
o Creating Fun Sessions: a module focused on FA session plans, routine and ideas which can be easily accessible all you have to do is pick up and use at training straight away
o Connecting with Your Players: a module which explores motivation, unity and a real sense of communication techniques to help engage individuals and teams and cohesively establish an environment of comfort
o Make Football For All and Keep Football Safe: which offers imperative knowledge on concussion management, sudden cardiac arrest and safeguarding children
EE Playmaker has been developed in collaboration between The FA’s Education and Grassroots Participation Departments. The course has the potential to make a significant difference to the way football supports volunteers to drive the grassroots game. It’s online, free and designed around the needs of current and prospective volunteers, meaning it can be a realistic entry point into football education for a lot of people.
If you would like to take the EE Playmaker Course, visit www.essexfa.com/coaches/england-football-courses to signup. You will need an FA Number (FAN) to register. If you don’t have one, you can create one right now via the website. Information is also shared by @EssexCountyFA on Twitter/X and ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook.
ESSEX FA
SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST: REACT PROMPTLY,
INITIATE ACTION,
SAVE LIVES
England Football Learning Promote Online Course
England Football Learning are offering a free,online module designed to help navigate through the challenges faced when identifying a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), an essential,life-saving skill,providing techniques on how to respond appropriately.
The nature of football means it operates at a high intensity, and it only takes one sudden incident, and everything can change. Unfortunately, an SCA can happen to anyone, and this course equips learners with the necessary tools to adapt when faced with a challenging scenario.
This initiative comes in response to the increasing importance of immediate action during a cardiac emergency, as timely intervention can significantly improve survival rates. According to FIFA, SCAs have claimed one footballer's life every month for the past ten years. By completing this module, participants will learn how to identify SCA signs and how to take appropriate measures to respond.
Lasting for 30-45 minutes, the training is available online, making it accessible to everyone across the country who wants to be prepared to save a life in an emergency. This course aims to provide a deep insight into how to prepare yourself when faced with an SCA in football, and how the underlying risks can be mitigated.
The course delves into the standard code of behaviour, touching upon the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) as well as performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Following protocol is essential. Creating an awareness, but also providing an educational element, will, eventually, equip participants with the necessary knowledge of how to intervene when faced with an SCA.
Defibrillation within 120 seconds of a player suffering an SCA can increase their chances of survival to 100%. England Football Learning’s comprehensive online training module covers all the critical aspects of handling an SCA. This programme is not only targeted at football coaches and players, but it’s also open to anyone who wishes to gain these essential skills.
The course is structured to provide clear and guided step-by-step instructions on how to act swiftly and effectively during an emergency. It includes video demonstrations, interactive scenarios and practical advice from medical professionals. The goal is to ensure more people in the community are prepared to act confidently and competently if they witness someone experiencing an SCA. This course is free… so why not take up the opportunity to bolster your knowledge? Visit https://learn.englandfootball.com/courses/medical/suddencardiac-arrest. You will need to be signed in to thefa.com with your FAN and password. Find out more at www.essexfa.com, Information is also shared by @EssexCountyFA on Twitter/X and ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook.
Football Fitness Club
The Top 5 Reasons Why
Pre-Season
Training is Crucial in Football
Pre-season training is a vital period in the football calendar. It's more than just a time to shake off the rust; it sets the stage for the entire season. Here are the top five reasons why pre-season training is so important in football:
1. Physical Conditioning and Fitness
One of the primary goals of pre-season training is to get players physically prepared for the demands of a long season. During the offseason, players may not maintain peak physical condition, and preseason is the time to rectify this. Rigorous fitness regimes including cardiovascular training, strength conditioning, and flexibility exercises are implemented to enhance players’ stamina, power, and overall physical resilience.
• Endurance: Building cardiovascular endurance ensures players can maintain a high level of performance throughout the 90 minutes of a match and recover quickly between games.
• Strength: Enhancing muscle strength helps in reducing the risk of injuries and improves players' ability to withstand physical challenges during matches.
• Speed and Agility: Speed and quick reflexes are essential in football, and pre-season drills often focus on improving these attributes.
2. Team Cohesion and Chemistry
Pre-season is a critical period for developing team cohesion and chemistry. With new players often joining the squad, it's essential to build a strong team dynamic both on and off the pitch.
• Understanding: Players need to understand each other's playing styles, strengths, and weaknesses. Pre-season games and training sessions allow them to develop this understanding.
• Communication: Effective communication on the field is crucial, and pre-season provides the time to establish and refine these channels.
• Bonding: Off-field activities, such as team-building exercises, help in creating a sense of camaraderie and unity, which translates into better teamwork during matches.
3. Tactical Preparation and Strategy Implementation
Pre-season is the time for coaches to instil their tactical philosophies and strategies. It’s a period for experimenting with formations, trying new tactics, and setting the tone for the style of play the team will adopt for the season.
• Formation Drills: Coaches can test different formations and see how players adapt to various tactical setups.
• Set Pieces: Time can be dedicated to perfecting set pieces such as corners, free-kicks, and defensive organization during these situations.
• Match Scenarios: Simulated match scenarios help players understand and execute the coach’s strategies under game-like conditions.
4. Mental Preparation and Focus
Football is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Pre-season helps in preparing players mentally for the challenges ahead. The psychological aspect of pre-season training can be pivotal in ensuring players have the right mindset entering the competitive season.
• Motivation: Setting goals for the upcoming season helps in keeping the players motivated and focused.
• Resilience: Pre-season can be used to build mental toughness, preparing players to handle the pressures and setbacks they will inevitably face.
• Concentration: Drills and training exercises aimed at improving concentration and focus can make a significant difference during critical moments in matches.
5. Injury Prevention and Management
Injuries are an unfortunate reality in football, but pre-season training can play a significant role in minimizing their occurrence and managing players' health.
• Assessments: Initial fitness assessments help in identifying any potential issues or weaknesses that need to be addressed.
• Rehabilitation: Players recovering from injuries have the chance to fully rehabilitate and reintegrate into the squad without the immediate pressure of competitive matches.
• Preventative Exercises: Specific training exercises aimed at strengthening vulnerable areas and improving flexibility can reduce the risk of injuries during the season.
Conclusion
Pre-season training is indispensable for football teams aiming to perform at their best throughout the season. It ensures players are physically fit, mentally prepared, and tactically aware while fostering team unity and minimizing the risk of injuries. Investing time and effort into a thorough and well-structured pre-season can be the difference between a successful campaign and an underwhelming one.
If you are interested in joining Football Fitness Clubs weekly session based in Chelmsford, Please contact: footballfitnessclub@btinternet.com
EURO 2024
DON’T MISS A MATCH THIS SUMMER!
EXPLAIN THE ESSENTIALS OF
THE ESSENTIALS OF AGILITY
TRAINING
Agility in football gives a player the ability to stop, start and make changes of direction at speed without losing their balance. This is achieved using several fitness elements, so agility training can’t be singled out as one stand-alone aspect of fitness. It requires a combination of exercises, including drills designed to build both strength and power.
ECCENTRIC STRENGTH
Out on the pitch, you need good lower-body eccentric strength to be able to decelerate at great speed. Without it, you’re going to struggle to slow down or stop to make sudden changes of direction. It’s about training your body to absorb force, and this can be done using bodyweight alone or with weights in a gym.
BODYWEIGHT EXERCISE:
Drop lands from a box or step are a useful eccentric strength-based exercise that requires only bodyweight.
• Stand on a box that’s around knee height
• Drop down to the floor from the box with both feet
• As you land, try to freeze in the bent-knee landing position for 3 or 4 seconds before straightening your knees and preparing for your next rep
WEIGHTS EXERCISE:
Barbell back squats or any other squat variation can be used as a tempo exercise to develop eccentric strength.
• With weight in place, go from the top to the bottom of the squat in a slow, controlled four-second count
• Explode out of the bottom of the squat back to the top at speed
KEY POINT:
Eccentric focused training exercises (the lowering phase of a lift) cause greater muscle damage compared to other forms of exercise, so you may experience greater muscle soreness as a result. For this reason, it’s best to schedule this type of training into the earlier part of your week if you have a game on a Saturday. Pre-season is also a good time to place additional emphasis on increasing your eccentric strength. Avoiding muscle soreness during the season is a top priority but during pre-season muscle soreness can be accommodated to a greater degree due to being outside of the competitive part of the year.
CONCENTRIC STRENGTH
Once a good level of lower-body eccentric strength has been developed, it’s time to focus on producing greater concentric strength. Out on the pitch, concentric strength gives you the explosive power to accelerate quicker, so when combined with eccentric strength, you’ll be better able to sprint, stop, turn and burst away from your opponents to a higher level.
BODYWEIGHT EXERCISE:
Double-leg and single-leg box to box jumps provide a useful progression to droplands.
• Drop down from a box with both feet as described in the drop lands exercise above, but immediately power out of the bent-knee landing position to jump up onto another box
• Alternatively, drop down onto one foot and power out of the landing using the same leg to jump up onto another box
WEIGHTS EXERCISE:
In the gym, exercises such as the clean pull can be used to develop concentric strength that will transfer into movements needed in football. Explosive lifts like this which involve your heels powerfully lifting from the floor help to develop the ability to power out of a stop and turn on the pitch.
LATERAL MOVEMENTS
Of course, explosive moves in football aren’t always upwards, they’re much more likely to be rapid changes of direction from one side to the other. This means agility training in football must include lateral movements. Options include:
1. Advance the above single-leg box jump to directional box jumps. Instead of jumping straight up onto another box, jump sideways onto another box, making sure to repeat the exercise using the other leg
2. Use a landmine attachment in the gym (or a barbell positioned in the corner) towork on side lunges. From a standing start, step out into a side lunge and then push hard to return to the start position
AGILITY DRILLS
The last stage of progression in terms of agility training for football is to practice agility drills. These can be split into closed or open drills:
CLOSED AGILITY DRILL:
Closed drills are the best way to begin as they generally involve just one predetermined change of direction. An example would be running out to a cone and running back. In this type of drill, you already know where you need to change direction, so your focus is on technique and making the change in as few steps as possible. Fewer steps followed by a big push out to switch direction is the aim of the exercise. If it takes you 8 or 9 steps to switch direction after running into the cone, your eccentric strength needs work.
OPEN AGILITY DRILL:
Closed drills can be progressed to include more than one cone, but the changes of direction remain predetermined. In an open drill, the number of changes and the direction of the changes remains unknown until instructions are called out.
For example, you might begin by standing in a box marked out on the pitch with different coloured cones in the corners. A teammate then calls out one of the colours and you must sprint out around that cone and back to the centre of the box. Colours will continue to be called out at random, so the number of sprints or the direction of the sprints will never be known in advance, bringing in a cognitive element.
The faster your mind can register the instruction, the faster your body can react, making open drills closer to actual play on the pitch. However, the rapid reactions needed in open drills require a good level of eccentric and concentric lower-body strength, so it’s always advisable to begin with closed drills and advance to open drills when you’re able to change direction at speed with great technique.
THE BOTTOM LINE…
Agility is not a stand-alone element of fitness. To be agile, you need balance,coordination, speed, strength and quick reflexes. This means that the best approach to agility training is to follow a training plan that brings all of these elements together. Keep it progressive and you’ll see gradual improvements month on month as well as lowering your risk of picking up injuries.
FINAL WHISTLE
BY PAUL SMITH
Hello All,
So, we have come to the end if another season already got my preseason friendlies in talk about no rest for the wicked!
The junior game will change where certain ages will not be able to head the ball and throw ins will be replaced by a dribble on.
I see the logic but realistically how often even at adult football do you head a ball in a game three/four?
The powers that be should look at academies and the professional game where headers are practised during each weekly training session, prevention is the cure and all that but let's be realistic it will never be banned in the professional game.
The Euros are almost upon us more hype no doubt more VAR controversy I was not surprised that the premier league clubs voted to keep it better the devil you know.
I agree with potentially the decision to be explained by the match official to the crowd although think the incident should be kept off any big screens in stadiums. I recently refereed a game in a sold-out stadium and did not give a free kick and a potential red card it was on screen in ten seconds for all to see!!
Luckily, it was a charity match so no harm done but that could affect an official’s decision making for the remainder of the game.
So, all that remains to say is it's been a hell of a season 232 games a few new grounds ticked off and now a well needed 3week break!!
Enjoy the Beach
MORE ABOUT CAMPS WITH EPC
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SOCCERBILITY
@ Baddow Spartak FC
In Essex there are over 20,000 young people with a special educational need and or disability. Many of these young people would like to participate in sports just like everyone else but unfortunately this is a major lack of access to this for them.
In 2019 in Chelmsford there wasn’t a single football club or offer available to these young people, with help from the Essex FA we introduced Soccability at Baddow Spartak FC, our aim was to provide an environment where young people with a special educational need and or disability could not only play football, but do this as part of a club in exactly the same way as the mainstream players can, on Saturday morning they train on the same pitches as the rest of the club and are integrated into the football club exactly the same way, we also have players from the mainstream teams come and help coach our young players, this is so special to our players making them feel a part of the Baddow Spartak FC family.
grassroots magazine
Grassroots gives back
Grassroots Magazine is committed to giving back to grassroots football and we are excited to sponsor a talented young player Kaci Crook & an equally talented youth team in Broomfield Lions U13’s for this season.
Grassroots is proud to be supporting Farleigh Hospice
Grassroots Magazine is delighted to be supporting local charity, Farleigh Hospice. In each edition, we will be sharing with you their latest news along with upcoming events that you can get involved in!
Farleigh Hospice has been a cornerstone of our local community since 1982 when, following the death of a lady called Audrey Appleton from cancer, her friends Glenda Lance and Dr Gill Collier launched an appeal to establish hospice services in and around Chelmsford.
Since its creation later that same year, Farleigh has provided hospice care to thousands of people affected by life-limiting illnesses and bereavement across mid Essex. The hospice, which is celebrating its 40th birthday this year, continues to help people to live as actively as possible from the point of diagnosis to the end of their lives, by providing physical and emotional care, free of charge.
As a charity, Farleigh relies on the generosity of the local community to raise the £6 million it needs every year to care and support those who rely on its services. One of the ways that Farleigh engages with the community is through the range of fundraising events it organises throughout the year, which are listed on its websitewww.farleighhospice.org/events
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Chris Berry Media
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If you want your game filmed and a highlights package, put together afterwards, then please get in touch by emailing cberrymedia@gmail.com or text 07447 458405" https://twitter.com/messages/media/1716932374142083238
