Enabling Our Players
by Colin Woods
Many thanks for taking the time to learn about our club. My name is Colin Woods, and I was honoured to be appointed Club Chair in May 2022. I became Chair because I love the club ethos, which enables players to enjoy the game and is based on three fundamental principles:
- Everyone is welcome at the club, subject to player capacity, regardless of ability or background
- Being competitive at the right level for the players
- Providing the foundation for the players to continue to enjoy playing later in life
My daughter and son play for the club, and my wife is an active volunteer (Kit guru and provider of the best Saturday morning bacon sandwich, no less).
To provide the most enjoyable playing experience possible, our club relies on many volunteers, all playing vital roles in maintaining the culture and ethos that makes our club unique. I, as Chair, value the role everyone plays, I listen to what they say, and their input enables the following people to build our future.
Running the Club
Every successful club requires a robust governance structure and safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. Our Welfare Officer, Aisling Protozzi, works closely with myself and the coaches to proactively review and consider any potential safeguarding issues in how we work as a club. This robust approach enables us to provide a safe and enabling environment for all players.
Prudent financial management is vital and our treasurer, Joe Greenaway, provides the foundations that enable us to offer a very competitive annual subscription fully supported by ongoing investment in kit, equipment, and facilities.
Enabling boys and girls teams to play regularly across several leagues requires strong rigour and full oversight of the club. Our secretary, Paul Devine, oversees our governance and compliance with great effectiveness, building trust and respect across the club.
We seek to communicate as simply as possible both through this website and other platforms. Parent liaison is crucial and through our newsletters, briefing notes and social media updates, everyone is kept up to speed with relevant events.
Playing the Game
We are a forward-looking club and to enable the kids to maximise their enjoyment and learning our Football Development lead, Trevor Speller, is making great progress implementing a number of iniatives that will develop both players and coaches. The development will be continuous throughout the age groups and will be sustainable for year to come.
Supporting Trevor, we have Will Asher, our lead coach for the girl’s squad. Overseeing a meteoric rise in girls’ football Will, girls manager Nicola Fannin, and their team are building a reputation for playing attractive, skilful football with determination and a smile.
Chad Heuston, our lead coach for boys/mixed squads, also works closely with Trevor and Will, enabling the age group coaches to play enjoyable and competitive football. Chad played to a high level during his career and role models the benefits of positive reinforcement and, teamwork, critical life skills for the future.
Trevor Speller
Chad Heuston
