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READ HOW KITAID HIT 1 MILLION ITEMS OF DONATED KIT

NOVEMBER 2023 ISSUE 13

This Months Content Team Message

Redstones FC

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Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who donated or just offered words of encouragement while we completed the ‘5k a day, every day in October Challenge’ for Prostate Cancer UK. Due to various football injuries our team of 3 took the walking option so finding an hour a day every day to get the steps was tough but well worth it to support the work Prostate do.

Kit Aid

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Man vs Fat

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Adult Leagues

Page 18

Youth Leagues

Page 19

Football Fitness

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Match Fit

Page 26

Final Whistle

Page 30

The Clarets

Page 36

Farleigh’s

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Congratulations to Redstones FC on completing their 1100 game in the Chelmsford Sunday League, the 1st dating back to 1965, an amazing achievement.

Well done to Kaci Crook who has hit top form in October for Chelmsford City Women. Since sponsoring Kaci at the start of the season it’s been great to follow how well she has done so far, including a hattrick against Tigers Ladies. City are currently sitting at the top on the table. I’d also like to welcome back Paul Smith who wrote a monthly article from 2009 when we produced our original paper version of Grassroots Magazine, Paul is a former Sunday League ref who refereed many games in the Chelmsford area but has since moved away & gone on to do many things within the referee world. Paul will be giving all his views & here to answer your questions. If you have a question for Paul, please get in touch at grassrootsmag@btinternet.com Welcome back Smithy. Good Luck

Grassroots Team

grassrootsmag@btinternet.com

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Redstones FC Were formed in 1964 by a group of young men from Ingatestone. As they had no connection with Ingatestone FC, the existing Saturday club at the time, and as they wanted their own identity the name Redstones was chosen mainly because their first set of shirts were red. The club badge is an open gate with a football - open for ‘in’, gate for ‘gate’ and a football for a ‘stone’ so this forming the word Ingatestone which is the place name of the village in Essex where the club was formed and where they are still based there today.

fanzine @StonesReview was released. The publication was produced by Trevor Bailey on a monthly basis during the season in the 1990s. It was packed with news on @RedstonesFC, @chelmsfordsunfl and much more.

Since the first game on Sunday 29th August 1965 in Division 2 vs Braintree Spartak winning 3-0. The team that day was: Alan White, John Heath, Neil Hill, Brian Terry, Alan Davey, Roger Jelfs,Norman Swatman, John Cannon, Terry Rudgley, Sid Rudgley x1, Joe Harris x2. They have played 1100 Matches Winning 494 Drawing 159 Losing 447, Goals Scored 2646, Goals Conceded 2436 total points 1279. The team today play in the Chelmsford Sunday League Premier Division A, still playing in Red at Seymour Fields Ingatestone.

* (*3 points for a win awarded by League from season 2007/08).

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KitAid

‘It’s more than Just a shirt …’ KitAid is national charity, in its 25th Anniversary Year, dedicated to finding a new home for your unwanted kit & equipment in areas of the world where football is loved, but participation is held back by a lack of access to kit & equipment. KitAid works with projects supporting some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable communities in the world projects supporting education, skills training and those seeking to prevent harm. We know the power of football and its force for good in people’s lives and hence the strapline – ‘It’s more than Just a Shirt …’ The charity was first brought into being by Derrick Williams, MBE after a chance encounter with a Tanzanian child wearing a worn-out Liverpool shirt, whilst Derrick was visiting a water project in the country. Derrick recognised in that child & the community a love for the game, but there was a serious lack of resources for kit & equipment to support their active participation in the game. So, Derrick returned to the UK and organised, with his friends, to get their own personal collection of kits together and to send them out to Tanzania. Well from that first encounter and the first box of kit sent out, 25 years later, Derrick has overseen over 1 million donations of unwanted kit & equipment shared with communities across around 90 countries. We report here on KitAid’s success in reaching the target for sharing 1 million items of kit & equipment and its fundraising efforts this year with the Great KitAid Road Trip visiting 25 grounds in Essex and photographing the KitAid banner.

KitAid is a charity first brought into being by Derrick Williams, MBE after a chance encounter with a Tanzanian child wearing a worn-out Liverpool shirt, whilst Derrick was visiting a water project in the country. Derrick recognised in that child & the community a love for the game, but there was a serious lack of resources for kit & equipment to support their active participation in the game. So, Derrick returned to the UK and organised, with his friends, to get their own personal collection of kits together and to send them out to Tanzania.

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Reaching 1 million is huge. A huge milestone reached this month, for a charity based exclusively on volunteers and your goodwill sorting & organising kit donations.

Well from that first encounter and the first box of kit sent out, 25 years later, Derrick has overseen over 1 million donations of unwanted kit & equipment shared with communities across around 90 countries.

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THE GREAT KITAID ROAD TRIP

ESSEX

Massive thank you to the Grassroots Magazine, it’s readers & Clubs across Essex for your positive support & encouragement for The GREAT KITAID ROAD TRIP – ESSEX. Visiting 25 grounds to raise funds to support the national Charity, KitAid in this its 25th Anniversary year. You can continue to support the fundraising effort at https://www.justgiving.com/page/roadtrip-essex-1677775751739

A particularly big thank you to the Clubs who have supported the KitAid Road Trip, promoting visits to their ground: Aveley, Barnston, Bowers & Pitsea, Broomfield, Chelmsford City, Colchester United, Concord Rangers, Corinthians, Frinton & Walton YFC, Harlow Town, Heybridge Swifts, Hullbridge, Maldon & Tiptree, Mayland Village, Old Chelmsfordians, Old Parkonians, Old Southendians, Porters Soccability, Runwell Sports, Springfield, South Woodham Ferrers United, Tollesbury YFC, Wilvale Rangers, Witham Town & Wivenhoe Town.

The Road Trip has enjoyed the best of Essex. The best of people in the game at every level, working to keep the game going. Clubs across Essex make a priceless contribution to the life of local communities, at every age group, across men & women, boys & girls. The Road Trip has also introduced us to the joy that is the growing success of Soccability across the County. Throughout, the drive and passion of Committee Members, Managers, Coaches, Players & Supporters has been inspirational. Fundraising, Promotion & Kit Collections The Road Trip has so far delivered much needed funds. The JustGiving site remains open for the rest of the year, for those who can help. Todate JustGiving Page £320 https://www.justgiving.com/page/roadtrip-essex-1677775751739 Direct to KitAid £250 kitaidcharity@gmail.com It is the toughest time financially for us all and so many important causes to support. So, it has been humbling to receive such generous support and promotion for KitAid from across individuals and local Clubs. Going the Extra Mile So many people & Clubs have gone the extra mile to help. You know who you are and how grateful KitAid is for your support over the years and, in this year in particular, support on the Great KitAid Road Trip. But we must pick out: All those clubs that have provided extensive social media promotion, including Colchester United generating over 11k 'X' hits;

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Enjoying the best of Essex

Runwell Sports, making an amazingly generous £200 donation, direct to KitAid, as well as taking a KitAid banner to display at the ground; Heybridge Swifts and Wivenhoe Town have covered the work of KitAid in their match day programmes.

There were some great games too on the Trip, including: Aveley back from 0-2 down to win 4-2 as a pre-season prelude to their Charity Cup Final win and strong start to life in the National League South, Barnston taking their first 3pts of the season 2-1, Corinthian Ladies winning 5-1 under the lights pre-season, Heybridge Swifts winning 5-1 in what has been a strong start to their Isthmian North campaign, Old Parkonians 5 goals bagged by striker Issa including two worldies on Coronation Day, Witham Town committed to the end, getting back to 1-1 in the final minutes. Significant kit contributions have also come in from Bowers & Pitsea, Broomfield, Frinton & Walton YFC, Hullbridge, Old Parkonians, Old Southendians, Runwell Sports, South Woodham Ferrers United, Tollesbury YFC, Wilvale Rangers, Wivenhoe Town. Yet there is more to come, as others are organising their own kit contributions too – a big job, but much appreciated. You can follow future developments on the Road Trip at a dedicated account: twitter/X @Trip2023E

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SO MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE The 2023 Road Trip, may have 'parked up' and first 1 million donations reached, but there remains so much still to do. Many of us know well the joy of receiving your first football kit. Multiply that 10-fold and you see the power of your unwanted kit donation ‘spreading smiles worldwide for the love of the game.’ If you can, please: Donate money to THE GREAT KITAID ROAD TRIP - ESSEX 2023 to back KitAid’s work Donate unwanted kit & equipment – email KitAid at kitaidcharity@gmail.com or locally barrie.2014@yahoo.co.uk Consider advertising KitAid at your ground, in your programme or on social media If anything, else occurs to you, with which you can help, please contact us with your ideas for improving our reach and effectiveness across Essex & the Eastern Region.

Barrie Neal KitAid Volunteer (Essex)

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If watching your local grassroots team has got you itching to pull on the boots again and you feel like you need to shift a few pounds along the way, then MAN v FAT could be the answer for you! Supporting over 8,000 likeminded men up and down the UK, MAN v FAT has several clubs across Essex (and just over the border in Suffolk!), including Basildon, Colchester, Chelmsford, Romford, Southend and more. Your weekly kickabout is supported by a wide range of health and wellbeing support, giving you the tools, you need to shift that extra timber and build a new community of mates who love the beautiful game.

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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.

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LOCAL ADULT

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LEAGUES

CLICK THE BADGE TO VISIT LEAGUE AND VIEW THE LATEST NEWS AND RESULTS.

LEAGUES

CLICK THE BADGE TO VISIT LEAGUE AND VIEW THE LATEST NEWS AND RESULTS.

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grassroots magazine 20

Football Fitness Club The Football Fitness Team Explain the Cornerstone of Success: The Importance of Fitness in Grassroots Football Introduction Grassroots football, the foundation upon which the beautiful game thrives, relies on various elements to achieve success. While skills, tactics, and teamwork are crucial components, one aspect often overlooked but equally essential is fitness. The importance of fitness in grassroots football cannot be overstated, as it not only enhances performance but also ensures the health and well-being of the players. In this article, we will explore the significance of fitness and its role in grassroots football. Physical Performance Fitness is the cornerstone of physical performance in football. Players with good cardiovascular endurance can cover more ground during a match, allowing them to press their opponents, chase down loose balls, and contribute to both attack and defence. Players with superior strength can win duels, hold off defenders, and excel in aerial challenges. Agility, balance, and flexibility are essential for dribbling, changing direction, and evading tackles. A fit player can execute these actions consistently throughout a match, maintaining a high level of performance from the first whistle to the last. Fitness is the bedrock upon which all other skills and tactics are built, as it ensures that players can execute their roles effectively.

Mental Resilience The mental aspect of fitness is often underestimated. Being physically fit can significantly impact a player's mental resilience. Players who are in good shape tend to handle stress and pressure more effectively. They are less likely to experience mental fatigue during matches and can make better decisions under pressure. Confidence in one's physical abilities can be a significant boost to a player's self-belief, which is crucial in grassroots football. Team Cohesion Fitness is a collective effort in grassroots football. Teammates who train together and maintain a similar level of fitness tend to bond more effectively. The shared effort and commitment to fitness routines can build camaraderie, trust, and teamwork among players. When everyone is at a similar fitness level, the team can work together seamlessly, knowing that each member is capable of giving their all.

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Injury Prevention In grassroots football, where resources may be limited, injuries can be particularly damaging. A lack of fitness can increase the risk of injuries, including strains, sprains, and fatigue-related problems. Proper conditioning and fitness routines help to reduce the risk of injuries by strengthening muscles, improving joint stability, and enhancing flexibility. Additionally, fitness contributes to quicker recovery times and can help players bounce back from minor injuries more effectively. This is especially important in grassroots football, where teams may have limited substitutes and depend on every available player.

Conclusion Fitness is the unsung hero of grassroots football. Its importance extends beyond just individual performance, reaching into injury prevention, mental resilience, and team cohesion. Grassroots football serves as the foundation for future talent, and it is imperative to install good fitness habits at this level. Coaches, players, and parents should recognise the significance of fitness in nurturing well-rounded footballers, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and ensuring that the beautiful game continues to thrive at the grassroots level. By prioritising fitness, grassroots football can reach new heights and produce the stars of tomorrow.

If you are interested in joining Football Fitness Clubs weekly session based in Chelmsford, Please contact: footballfitnessclub@btinternet.com

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MATCHFIT EXPLAIN

THE PRO’S & CON’S OF TREADMILL TRAINING

Treadmill training is a popular choice for many. You get to stay indoors when the weather is bad and it’s really easy to set interval times so that you don’t need to watch the clock, but there are several reasons why treadmill training is a sub-optimal choice for footballers (when you also have the option of training out on the pitch). CONS OF RUNNING ON A TREADMILL: • Limited hip extension • Less effort than running on grass • No directional changes LIMITED HIP EXTENSION Optimal movement in your hips is crucial to performance. The strength of your glutes is an important factor in terms of injury prevention as they influence the movement of your lower back and your knees. Running on a treadmill tends to shorten your stride length, preventing your hips from extending and moving as they would on grass. Depending on the treadmill design, this change in running style is often due to safety concerns (especially at speed) and changing your running technique can have a detrimental effect on your performance when you’re back on grass. LESS EFFORT THAN RUNNING ON GRASS Treadmills can be quite bouncy. They’re designed this way to limit the risks of repetitive impact, but the downside of this is that each step on the treadmill will return more energy than a step on grass or astroturf would. This means you’re putting in less effort to achieve the same speed or distances you’d expect on solid ground, which could negatively impact your running economy and your performance on the pitch. To become stronger, more powerful or more efficient, your body needs to adapt to progressive overloads in training. Treadmill running lightens the workload compared to running on grass, making it a sub-optimal choice if repeatedly used to develop football specific fitness.

NO DIRECTIONAL CHANGES To be effective, stamina training should be sport specific. In football, this needn’t involve dribbling a ball in every move, but it should mimic the demands of the sport in terms of directional changes. Decelerating and accelerating in and out of turns provides a much greater (and more football specific) stimulus than running in straight lines. Without this stimulus in training, you’ll be limiting your potential for improved athleticism in matches and increase your risk of picking up injuries. So, should treadmills be avoided? Treadmill training is a suboptimal choice for footballers, but it can serve a purpose. If you can’t get access to a pitch, or if you’re in an area where snow and ice make it difficult to run on grass or on the street at times, then running on a treadmill is a good plan B. However, if you do have access to a pitch and have opted for doing all of your pre-season running using a treadmill instead, you’re actively making a decision to use your training time in a less functional, less efficient way than you could be.

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grassroots magazine "Photo Credits: Chelmsford City FC"

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FINAL

WHISTLE BY PAUL SMITH Hello it is great to be back a lot of water has passed under the bridge and beer from our spiritual home in Chelmsford many memories of Melbourne Park and some disciplinary issues with some of our colleagues in this magazine. The idea of this column was to try and explain parts of the game from a refereeing point of view in this everdeveloping game we all love. We thankfully do not need to deal with VAR but an ever increasingly number of teams now record their games. This was originally just academy football but has spread to all levels of football including youth football.

Sunday's coaches/players are Saturdays premier league watchers and supporters. The elite league will never follow grassroots football I strongly believe grassroots is better may be not facility based and the standard, but we have volunteers who spend hours on comities, groundsman ,people who help to run clubhouses, catering they do this because they are about their clubs , their game and not an over inflated pay cheque. The women's game has burst on to the scene with the success of the England Ladies team who have encouraged many women and girls to take up the sport I officiate in Women's football and have done for many years the standard has improved over the last five years at breakneck speed trust me I have refereed an Arsenal u18 ladies' team comfortably beat a men's football team. As the women's game is still relatively new, they play with an enjoyment and camaraderie , they just seem to enjoy it more win , lose or draw it is all about competing. There is a million different topics to discuss, and we will address in future editions so glad to be back , if anyone has any questions or points to raise, please ask away.

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The idea initially was used as a training tool to help players improve their performance, however as Referees we are offered the chance to view footage of decisions they have made which can lead to confrontational issues especially if you do not have a team of assistants with you, when you are on that pitch with players who have an opinion a never ending barrage from benches and possibly a couple of hundred fans we have to make a decision there and then no luxury of an earpiece. Imagine delaying a game for five minutes to talk through a crucial decision this could lead the referee into a whole world of trouble we have to make a decision quick.

Enjoy the Game

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The Noticeboard

grassroots magazine IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO OUR NOTICEBOARD, CALL 07752 178637. grassrootsmag@btinternet

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THE

CLARETS

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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 website -

www.farleighhospice.org/events Here we take a look at some of the exciting events coming up… the Annual Quiz, Sponsored Doggy Walk and Autumn Shopping Extravaganza!

grassrootsmag@btinternet.com