Eaton Bray Lions AFC

Posted on November 20, 2007

E. B. Lions AFC is a children's football club for the boys and girls living in and around the villages of Edlesborough, Eaton Bray, Dagnall and Northall.

We have ten teams this season, ranging from our Under 14's down to our newest U7's including two girls teams in the Under 10's and the Under 12's League.

This is providing competitive sport by qualified coaches to over 130 children! We are working hard to develop our players and teams into a successful and thriving Club and have FA qualified coaches running every team. Please look us up on our website which is being revamped as we speak - www.eblions.co.uk

Charter Standard Development Status

We are delighted to announce that EB Lions AFC, after much work by our coaches and committee, has won the coveted Charter Standard Development status via Beds FA. There are only 8 Charter Standard Development Youth Football Clubs in Bedfordshire.

This scheme is a core component of the FA Football Development programme. The scheme established minimum standards for football development and acts as a quality assurance mechanism recognising well run schools and clubs. As a benchmark for quality it will improve the playing experience for all.

The Charter Standard Scheme is a best practice guide that sets standards of coaching, administration and child protection for all clubs outside the Football League and Premier League. Youth Football Clubs are the heartbeat of football in this country.

That is why The FA Charter Standard club programme, which raises standards and recognises and rewards quality, is so important.

The FA Charter Standard Programme provides recognition that clubs are well run and sustainable, with child protection and safety paramount. It also recognises a club's commitment to coaching, player and coach development, and the raising of standards of behaviour in the game - all of which are big priorities for the Club and the FA.

Grant for new goalposts

With huge and much appreciated support from Eaton Bray Parish Council we have been able to purchase new steel 11-a-side goals at Holmans Field, Eaton Bray to continue the investment in high quality equipment and facilities. This was made possible by a grant from the Football Foundation and a significant contribution from the Parish Council.

Since 1991 nine young footballers have been killed in the UK by unsafe goals and many more have been seriously injured by posts and crossbars that fail to meet basic safety standards. The Football Foundation is funded by the Premier League, The FA, Sport England and the Government (visit www.footballfoundation.org.uk for more information).

The club is grateful for their assistance in helping to ensure the safety of our young players.

New Under 7's Team

Our 2008-9 season Under 7's have already held their first training session which was fantastic and there are clearly some able and skilful players. The interest, quality and skill levels were much higher than we expected and 3 or 4 players in particular caught the eye - indeed all the trainees looked very good. If we are able to attract 3 or 4 more school year 1 players we will be able to form two teams, which is our aim. This will enable all players to play regular football and ensure we have sufficient experience when 11-a-side football starts at Under 11.

Year 1 pupils at Dagnall, Edlesborough, Eaton Bray and Studham schools have already received invitation letters to join us at EB Lions. If your child did not attend the first training session and is interested in playing for the club please contact Liz Coates (see below). Please note to be considered, players need to be no older than 6 years old on 31st August 2008 i.e. all year 1 children are eligible.

Adrian Bush and Tim Sanders will run the second informal training session on Saturday 1st December at 9.30am on Edlesborough Green for one hour.

Other Club News

There are a number of other exciting announcements to make:-

• We have appointed a fitness coach, Nick Bramston, who has gained an expanded version of the FA Level 1 coaching badge. He will work with all our 10 teams to improve fitness and agility at all levels.
• We have appointed a Head Coach, Lewis Taylor, to help new coaches to the Club learn the ropes and the game.
• We have established a 5 year plan that includes increasing the number of teams to 18 over 5 years and seeking a suitable site for an all weather floodlit training pitch.
• We hope to secure substantial Football Foundation and Sport England funding for this once we have identified a suitable location - please help us with this if you can!
• We are expanding our number of 7-a-side and 11-a-side pitches to 8 next season.
  Thank you to Dagnall Village Hall Committee for allowing the Club the use of Dagnall pitch this season and hopefully for many years to come.

-- Liz Coates, Press Officer, EB Lions AFC (01442 842550)

Source: Focus, December/January 2007