AGM REPORT-UNDER 13s SQUAD-as at May 2014
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This current squad of Under 13s players has its origins in an initial Under 9s squad formed back in May 2009. It is
extremely pleasing to see the great progress made in the intervening 5 years.
Overall responsibility for this squad has remained with one of the player’s parents, Graeme Taggart, very ably assisted by
Mark Edwards. Both hold full CRB/DBS clearances. Graeme has relevant qualifications from his involvement with the
football clubs used by his two sons and completed his FA Level 1 Coaching training with Bury Girls during 2009. He has
also undertaken further FA coaching covering specific ‘age-related’, child protection, safeguarding young people and
emergency first aid training activities in the interim period.
Graeme is also assisted by his wife Eilish as First-Aider (FA qualification and CRB/DBS clearance held).
It is very pleasing to note that the league squad has remained intact throughout the season and we have in fact added 3
more league players over recent months to give more cover on match days. We have also run a training squad all season
for any girls who have simply wanted to come and give football “a try” for a few months. This has been a success and
around 15 other girls have participated in our training at one stage or another.
We have competed this season once again in the North Valley and Unity Youth League-this gives us the benefit of “pure”
Sunday football, so that players, parents and coaches can plan other family commitments accordingly.
It is very pleasing to report that this season has seen unprecedented success for our girls.
We eventually finished league winners out of 11 teams entered from a wide geographical area stretching from North
Preston to Bury and out to the Ribble Valley and Burnley. Out of 23 league & cup games, the girls won 21 & drew 2,
losing no matches in the whole campaign, scoring 130 goals & conceding only 28-a great goal difference ratio!
On top of this, the girls appeared in the League Cup Final, with the match being held at the League’s chosen venue in
Towneley Park, Burnley. After a very competitive and sporting match played against one of our toughest opponents all
season, Bury Girls ran out eventual winners with a 3-1 scoreline. This achievement confirmed the team as double winners
not only for this season, but as “double double winners”, given they achieved the same feat last season.
For greater experience, we also entered the Under 14s Lancashire FA County Cup. Whilst we were competing against
older teams (given there was no Under 13s competition being run), we were proud of our achievement in only losing 10-9
on penalties in a tight quarter final against Leigh Genesis Girls FC, that had earlier finished 5-5 in the main match.
At the time of writing, the team has not yet taken part in any summer tournaments, but they are due to compete at the
Blackburn CSC event later next month and are looking at other external event opportunities.
Throughout the season, there has been a core of 11 league squad members, with a further 4 players regularly attending
winter training and then being invited to get involved in league fixtures towards the end of the season. Absolutely
everybody has played their part in the success achieved. 2 girls have shared main goalkeeping duties and have been
outstanding with their versatility. Unfortunately, we could not get everybody on the scorecard this season, but there were
some close misses!!
We are now building for the new season, to play again in the North Valley and Unity Youth League at Under 14s level,
once again playing 9-a-side football, in the bigger nets and with the offside rule!!
The enthusiasm and ambition of all the girls will provide us with further strength in depth in the months ahead.
We will continue to foster links with other clubs and leagues as we have done at various times over the last 12 months.
New players do regularly come forward seeking a place in our overall structure. Training will continue through this
summer to identify the best strategy in how to encourage and involve these individuals in our club plans going forward.
As a manager, I would like to record my sincere thanks to: a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
my assistant Mark Edwards for his excellent all-round support during the last 12 months;
my wife Eilish for all her work as our First-Aider and her general welfare support for the girls throughout the season;
Paul Douglas for his entertaining match reports, which once again captured the entertainment and excitement
experienced at our matches;
My own children for using their personal football experience to support training drills, warm-up sessions before matches
and for acting as referee when needed for some of our friendlies. Also for putting up with Dad and all the time needed to
fulfil his administration duties in running a football team!
All the parents for supporting their daughters throughout our adventures in the last season and for helping with moving
equipment and transport!
FINAL THANKS MUST GO TO ALL THE GIRLS IN THE SQUAD FOR THEIR HARD WORK, ENTHUSIASM, TEAMWORK
AND SUPPORT FOR THE CLUB AS A WHOLE. Without that dedication, we would not have a team to manage.
Good luck to all for a successful and rewarding season in 2014-15!!
Graeme Taggart
Manager / Coach, Bury Girls & Ladies FC-Under 13s Squad, May 2014