Liverpool Schools’ Football Association

Under 11

Players and Parents Handbook

Season 2008-09

 

Welcome to the LSFA, and congratulations on receiving your place in the Under 11 squad. You are joining an elite band of players who have been chosen to represent the City of Liverpool, and in particular, the Primary School children of our city.

 

You are not only part of a team representing this year’s children, but are also part of an association that has more than 100 years of history behind it. During the associations’ history, many great and gifted players have emerged and gone on to represent clubs and countries on a national and international stage. The LSFA can boast former players who have won League, FA Cup, and Champions League honours, as well as having played in the World Cup Finals.

 

The LSFA is run on a voluntary basis, by teachers from Liverpool Education Authority, for the children of this city. We are committed to providing a year that is successful and enjoyable for all those involved, whilst also providing an experience which the players will cherish for a lifetime.

 

However, this cannot be a one way street. From the commitment we make to the players, we also expect the same commitment in return, in the form of playing as well as they can, putting their all into training, and above all, being excellent representatives of this City, wherever we may be.

 

We expect parents and supporters to set a good example to the players, being supportive of the team and showing respect for the opposition and officials (and the decisions they make).

 

We look forward to working with you, the players and parents throughout the year. We hope that the experience will be an enjoyable and successful one, and that this year will provide a lifetime of good memories for all involved.

 

Competitions and Games

ESFA National 7-a-side

Vernon’s League – Against teams around Merseyside. 10 teams play each other once then team splits in two and complete fixtures in your half.

Pennine Premiership – Four teams playing each other twice (Liverpool, Leeds, Hull and York)

Everton Cup (Barnetshieldhouse Cup for those who do not reach Everton Cup Final)

North-West Cup: 5 teams playing each other once

League Play Off Cup for top four teams at end of season

Friendlies arranged on a regular basis – possible games this season include Kent, Inner London, Charlton Athletic, Hibernian as well as other associations

Tour –  FC Barcelona

 

 Training and Playing

 

  • Training will take place from 4.15-6.30 pm, Friday. Please notify us if you are going to be late or have difficulties in getting to training for this time. An extra session will be arranged on Tuesdays (venue to be confirmed). This is mainly for those boys who do not train with clubs during the week although it is of course open to all if they want to attend. Every little helps as they say.
  • All players are expected to train regularly, and cannot expect to hold down a starting place in the team if they do not train. A register will be kept of training attendance.
  • For all games, players should wear the polo and tracksuit or shirt, tie and trousers (on certain occasions) as directed.
  • We would ask that that all boys wear black boots for playing.
  • All players are expected to bring their own drink to training and matches.
  • Players are responsible for their own kit.

 

 

Home Fixtures

Meeting and kick off times will be provided at the end of training for forthcoming matches.

 

Food :

For home league and cup games parents should take it in turns to provide a drink, crisps and a biscuit for the opposition.

For home games against opposition from further away, sandwiches etc should be provided for both teams. These are usually more high profile games.

 

Away Fixtures

Meeting and kick off times will be provided at the end of training for forthcoming matches.

Where possible, directions will be provided to opposition grounds. For fixtures outside of Merseyside, transport will be provided, for which a small fee may be charged.

 

Team Selection

This is done on merit, taking into account players’ form, how they have trained, availability and other factors (such as behavior and attitude).

Where possible, all players will be given some playing time, but this is at the managers’ discretion.

 

Costs

 

The costs of the season depend greatly on the decision to go on tour or not and how soon any flights can be paid for. Each year the training/playing kit, polo and tracksuit is bought by parents – it’s the boy’s for keeps. The approximate costs of the season are given below.

 

Kit etc: £100 (Playing and Training Kit)

Season Costs: £100 (Transport, referees, replace equipment etc)

Tour: £400 (Flight, accommodation, food, transfers, insurance, entrance to club museums/tours etc)

 

Total: £600 per boy

 

In order to reimburse the LSFA funds for the costs of the kit and to be in a position to book the flights before Christmas (or as soon as they become available), I would respectfully ask that these payments be paid on the following dates.

 

Friday 31st October - £100 for kit

Friday 28th November - £120 for the flight

Friday 27th February - £100

 

Total £320 (balance £280 to be raised through fundraising))

 

Once the flights are booked I can give a definite cost for the tour. Any money raised beyond that can be reimbursed to parents, although we would ask that some be left in the Primary account towards next year’s team – as is usual.

 

Fundraising

 

In the past the parents have raised most of the costs through fundraising. However, for it to be successful all parents must support it to the best of their ability. Often in the past it has been left to the efforts of a few while others do very little. Everyone must support these events by bringing family and friends or buy selling raffle tickets etc. It should not be left to the few to subsidise the rest. Equally, if it is a fundraising night, if only our parents attend we may as well ask for parents to pay the costs and not bother with the event.

 

Possible Ideas

  • Race night, bag-packing, sponsored events, raffle – typically £800-£1,000 raised; typically there are one or two of these per year
  • Subs - £5 per week x 20 weeks = £100 raised by end of April
  • Sponsorship of training kit - £1,000 - £1,500

 

Any fundraising ideas must be approved by the manager first. This is to avoid situations where other LSFA teams may be approaching the same companies etc for sponsorship or events that would not be appropriate.

 

Parent Representatives

Each year two parents volunteer to be parent representatives. Their role is

  • to take in subs and keep a record payments
  • to act as a link between ourselves and the parents  - advising us on the fundraising intentions of the parent group, issues or causes for concern etc

 

Code of Conduct

 

It is important that players and parents alike understand and follow the codes of conduct. Incidents involving the behaviour of players and parents have in the past lead to the deduction of points from teams involved.

 

Code of Conduct for Parents

 

  • Please do not allow your son/daughter to play more than one full game per day
  • Encourage all players to play by the rules
  • Please do not “coach” from the side lines
  • Please encourage at all times.
  • Applaud good play and encourage sporting behaviour from both sides
  • Do not question the decisions of the Referee and his/her Assistants
  • Please help to remove all verbal, physical and racial abuse from football
  • Please accept defeat in the correct manner and try not to show disappointment
  • Always look at the positive signs in both individual and team performances

 

Players Code of Conduct

 

  • Learn and observe the laws of the game
  • Beat opponents by skill and not unfair means
  • Never argue with the referee or his assistant
  • Retire quickly to 10 yards when a free kick is given against you
  • Do not appeal for throw ins, off-sides, free kicks etc
  • Give the ball promptly to opponents for a throw in free kick etc
  • If an opponent gives you the ball for a throw in, free kick etc. do not take advantage of him/her being out of permission.

 

Contact Details

 

If you are unable to train or play, please contact one of the following, preferably before training, or after 8.30am on a Saturday morning.

Should you wish to discuss any other issues, please contact us between 7-9pm, Monday-Thursday.

 

Andy Reidel (Manager)

St. Francis de Sales Jnr School, 0151 5257602, Home: 0151 4759382, Mobile0784 1525 478                                                                 

Steve Price (coach): 07801354239,  

                                   

 

A Brief History

The Liverpool Schools F A was founded in 1932 and is generally regarded as the most successful schools association in England.

Liverpool Boys are proud of their record in the Under 15 English Schools Trophy, having won the title on eighteen occasions, the last time in 2008.

While the Boys Under 11 side can boast of having won the ESFA 7 a side trophy twice. The first was in the inaugural year of 1994 at Wembley, and again in 2003. These are represented by the two stars above the badge.

They have also won the League 14 times and the Everton Cup 11; hence the Roman Numerals XIV and XI on their sleeve.

In the history of the LSFA there are many examples of boys who have represented the city and then advanced to play at a higher level. Most recently, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman have played for Liverpool FC and England, while Jay McEveley has played for Blackburn, Derby and Scotland.

The Association has supplied 82 players who have been capped for the England Schools International team. In 2000 a new record was achieved when a school from the Association provided three international players. They were: John Welsh (Captain), Alan Moogan, Alan Schumacher, all attended Cardinal Heenan High School . For many years the LSFA had their home ground at " Penny Lane," a street that was made internationally famous by the Association many years before a song by the Beatles put its name permanently on the map.

However, the LSFA outgrew this celebrated venue and in September 1999, they moved to the new "City of Liverpool Soccer Centre." This modern sporting complex, built at the cost of, £ 2.6 million, fulfilled the needs of the LSFA at the start of the new millennium.

The Liverpool Schools FA caters for the children of the city by providing competitive football played in a safe environment and in the correct manner. The Association runs representative sides at Under 11, Under 14 and Under 15 age groups for both boys and girls.

In recent years a generous donation from local sponsors has helped the LSFA to reach their objectives. The Liverpool Echo has helped to make standards of schools football in the city the envy of the rest of the country.