Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust
Who We are and What We Do
In March 2008 Yeovil Town Football Club together with AgustaWestland inaugurated a Community Sports Trust to develop Sports and Educational initiatives in the local community.
The Objectives of the Trust are ' to provide recreational, educational and sporting facilities to support and benefit people living in Somerset and the surrounding areas in order to advance, promote, encourage and develop participation in competitive and recreational sport and other such charitable activities amongst the people in the community with a view to improving their conditions of life.'
The Trust will also act as a fund holding and distribution centre to Yeovil Town Football Club and other local organisations involved in delivering activities in support of its objectives. It will also be responsible for the control and management of projects initially including Football in the Community, Astro Pitch and Ladies Football.
In support of these objectives the Trust has gained the active backing of local company AgustaWestland who will act as both initial sponsors and partners in the Trust with General Counsel and Director David Lee accepting the role of one of the Trustees.
The Trustees are: John Fry (Chairman and also representing Yeovil Town Football Club), John Dover, David Lee (also representing AgustaWestland), Peter Male, Peter Hockley and Sara Lawler (both representing the Somerset FA), Mickey Spencer, Ron Budden (also representing Yeovil Town Football Club)
The Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust has a progressive outlook and will be looking to proactively develop sporting,recreational and educational projects and initiatives.
The development of the Trust mirrors the rapid and successful expansion of all areas of the football club both on and off the field of play in the last few years.
The Trust's role will be developed over the coming years initially through traditional 'Football in the Community' activities, however through recognition of delivering quality sport activity programmes to children; the reputation of this Scheme has already helped develop links in areas such as education and social inclusion.
The Trust has a multi-skilled team who offer coaching, educational and fun experiences primarily to youngsters aged 5-16 years.
Such a wholly inclusive Scheme reflects the desire of Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust to offer Opportunities for All regardless of social background, ability, age or ethnicity.
The Community Sports Trust works towards the four following Objectives :-
*To advance and assist in advancing education
*To promote or assist in promoting community participation in healthy recreation;
*To provide or assist in the provision of facilities for recreation and other leisure time occupation in the interests of social welfare and inclusion with the object of improving the conditions of life for those for whom they are provided
*To relieve sickness and disability and to preserve and protect health
The 'Football in the Community' programme aims to provide football opportunities for socially excluded young people living within deprived communities in Somerset.
As well as promoting the game of football as a healthy recreation to young people and adults within these targeted areas, the programme also delivers drugs awareness education within football coaching sessions through trained senior coaching staff, and/or in conjunction with, other agencies.
Get Involved
Football Courses
Holiday Course Programmes
We provide soccer schools at Huish Park on both half and full term holidays whilst other venues around the county are also being selected. Full details see below.
Forthcoming Soccer Schools
Easter Soccer Schools
Yeovil Town Football Club at Huish Park, 7th.--8th. April 2008
Summer Soccer Schools
Castle School Sports Centre 28 - 31 July 2008
Wellington Road
Taunton
TA1 5AV
Yeovil Town Football Club at Huish Park 4 - 8 August 2008
Glastonbury Leisure Centre 11 - 14 August 2008
Dunstans School
Wells Road
Glastonbury
BA6 9BY
Yeovil Town Football Club at Huish Park 18 - 21 August 2008
Castle School Sports Centre 25 - 29 August 2008
Wellington Road
Taunton
TA1 5AV
Click here to download Summer Soccer Schools Booking Form
After School Soccer Skills Courses
We work in over 17 schools in the district providing after school coaching for both primary and secondary schools.
At present over 300 children receive weekly coaching from Community Sports Trust coaches.
Give the Community Sports Department a call on 01935 423662 and see what they can bring to your pupils' development.
Breakfast Clubs
All schools should be looking to offer children the opportunity to be in school between 8am to 6pm each day in line with Government guidelines.
Our 'Football in the Community' Scheme can help you with this. As part of our sports coaching service we can offer you a Breakfast Club sports coaching service as well.
Lunchtime Supervision
As part of our sports coaching service we can also offer you a Lunchtime Club sports coaching service.
Coaching
Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust offer football coaching opportunities for all. Whether you are only just kicking off your career or looking to develop your skills to increase your performance for your local team.
There are opportunities for development at all levels with coaching ,based on the ethos of having fun and making friends.
For those players who show real ability there is the chance to develop from Soccer Skills Centres to advanced coaching and onto the Club's new Centre of Excellence.
Click here to download a General Enquiry Form
The Coaches
Roy O' Brien
Roy began his career with the Arsenal, where he spent 5 years learning his trade. His most successful period started when he moved to Yeovil Town F.C in 2000 - 2005. He is now the Youth Development Community Officer.
Dave Gudge
Dave has been involved in coaching in Yeovil and the rest of the county for many years now, and is very well known and respected within those circles. He is also the 1st team coach at Sherborne Town F.C.
Danny Thompson
Danny is the youngest member of our team, he played for Yeovil's youth team and made a number reserve team appearances. He is heavily involved in our schools programme and also with our Centre of Excellence.
Tony Pounder
Tony began his career with Weymouth FC before moving on to Bristol Rovers and then Hereford United and then finished his footballing career at Yeovil Town.
Paul Thorpe
Paul started his career at Ashton Gate with Bristol City before joining Yeovil Town in 1984. Paul then moved on to manage Frome Town in the Western League.
Tony Rich
Tony is a Football League Level Two coach who has several years coaching experience. Tony played local football to a high level in the local leagues.
Basic Skills
The chance to learn to play football is so highly motivating to many children, that it can be used as a vehicle to encourage and develop basic skills.
Many children are still learning to play successfully and need lots of chances to practise sharing, taking turns, following rules and accepting that they can't always be the winner.
Waiting, good listening and following an adult's direction rather than their own agenda are really important skills to master.
A lack of these skills is often the reason why a lot of children are excluded from other activities; getting the hang of these opens doors to lots of other opportunities. Sessions for younger players focus on getting basic skills right.
Birthday Parties & Ground Tours-Starting Season 2008-09
12 complimentary match tickets for a League game at Huish Park.
Pre match Presentation of a football personally autographed by members of the Yeovil First Team
All guests receive Yeovil Town Goodie Bags
Bring 11 Guests and get all this for an amazing £89.00
Arrive at the Main Reception at Huish Park, home of Yeovil Town Football Club at 12 Noon. Our Community Staff will lead your group of young footballers on a 'behind the scenes' tour, viewing some of the magnificent silverware collected during our glorious history.
This will followed by a coaching session on our Astro Pitch training facility. We will then present the youngster whose Birthday it is with a small present from Yeovil Town F.C. and the guests with a goodie bag that you can supplement with your own treats.
The birthday boy/girl will then be presented with a football, personally signed by Yeovil Town First Team players.
The treat will last for approximately 2 hours. Would you please ensure your 11 guests are already changed into football kit and a tracksuit with training shoes as our training session will take place outdoors.
Cancellation of the coaching due to inclement weather conditions will result in either indoor party games or a re-arranged session at a mutually convenient time.
This package costs only £89.
Click here to download a booking form (PDF Viewer required).
For further information and prices contact the team on 01935 423662
- Ground Visits - This activity is open to a multitude of organisations ranging from schools, cubs/scout/guides groups, colleges and universities.
- Football in the Community staff work closely with you to make all the arrangements. During the visit participants will be able to access the dressing rooms, function rooms, pitch side, players tunnel, match room control.
More than Just Football
Coach Education
As a professional football club we recognise our responsibility to help to maintain and increase the standards of coaching within Somerset.
Plans are in hand to offer coaching courses at all levels from grass roots qualifications through to senior levels of the lower non-league pyramid system, via the UEFA B License in conjunction with the PFA. Full details will be published in due course.
It is through our successful working partnership with the PFA, Somerset FA and Yeovil College that we are able to plan to offer such a coach education programme.
Ladies Football Development
Yeovil Town Football Club is a community based club, which has recognised the need to develop opportunities for all players of all levels and abilities. This has included girls and women's football and the Club have had a very active Ladies club for a number of years.
What we believe In
Behaviour policy
Participants will be given a welcome talk on the first day of each soccer school which will include an outline of the type of behaviour that is acceptable and unacceptable.
It is essential that participants play safely and consider others when playing; be kind, friendly and respectful to adults and other children; listen to their coach at all times; respect no go areas; and put rubbish in bins. Shouting, swearing, name calling and bullying will not be tolerated.
In the event of these rules being broken we operate a 'three-warning' system
1. Child will be warned by the group coach;
2. Child warned by the Community Officer;
3. Parent/Guardian contacted. If behaviour does not improve after the three warnings the child will be excluded from the Soccer School.
Equal Opportunities Policy
Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust policy challenges discrimination in all areas of the organisation and we believe our group activities should be open to all. .
We wish to ensure that our Trust meets the needs of the local community and incorporate equal opportunities in all areas.
All participants will be treated with respectand recognise that they have individual needs.
No participant will be discriminated against because of ethnicity, culture, socio economic status, faith, gender, ability or disability. The Trust will not tolerate offensive language or behaviour.
Code of conduct for Participants
They should:
- Make every effort to develop their own sporting abilities, in terms of skill, technique, tactics and stamina.
- Give maximum effort and strive for the best possible performance during an event, even if their team is in a position where the desired result has already been achieved.
- Set a positive example for others, particularly children, young players and supporters.
- Avoid all forms of gamesmanship and time-wasting.
- Always have regard to the best interests of the event, including when publicly expressing an opinion about the event or about others involved in the event.
- Not use inappropriate language.
- Make every effort consistent with Fair Play and the Laws of the Game to help their own team win.
- Resist any influence which might or might be seen to bring into question their commitment to the team winning.
- Respect for the Laws of the Game and Competition rules
- Know and abide by the Laws, rules and spirit of the game, and the Competition rules.
- Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, equally.
- Resist any temptation to take banned substances or use banned techniques.
Respect towards Opponents
- Treat opponents with due respect at all times, irrespective of the result of the game.
- Safeguard the physical fitness of opponents, avoid violence and rough play, and help injured opponents.
- Respect towards Match Officials
- Accept the decisions of the Match Official without protest.
- Avoid words or actions which may mislead a Match Official.
- Show due respect towards Match Officials.
Respect towards Team Officials
- Abide by the instructions of their Coach and Team Officials, provided they do not contradict the spirit of this code.
- Show due respect towards the Team Officials of the opposition.
- Show respect towards the Supporters
- A player should show due respect to the interests of Supporters.
A Code of Conduct for Team Officials
The team official should:
- Set a positive example for others, particularly children, young players and supporters.
- Promote and develop their own team having regard to the interests of the players, supporters and reputation of the national game.
- Share knowledge and experience when invited to do so, taking into account the interest of the body that has requested this rather than personal interests.
- Avoid all forms of gamesmanship.
- Show due respect to Match Officials, assistants and others involved in the game.
- Always have regard to the best interests of the game, including when publicly expressing an opinion about the game, any particular aspect of it, or about others involved in the game.
- Not use or tolerate inappropriate language.
Obligations towards the team
- Make every effort to develop the sporting, technical and tactical levels of the club/team, and to obtain the best results by the team, using all permitted means.
- Give priority to the interests of the team over individual interests.
- Resist all illegal or unsporting influences, including banned substances and techniques.
- Promote ethical principles.
- Show due respect to the interests of players, coaches and other officials at their own club/team and at others.
- Obligations towards the Supporters
The team official should:
- Show due respect to the interests of supporters.
Respect towards the Match Officials
- Accept the decisions of the Match Official without protest.
- Avoid words or actions which may mislead a Match Official.
- Show due respect towards Match Officials
Medicines & Medications
Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust accepts no responsibility for the administering of medicines and medications brought from home.
If a participant requires medicine it remains the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensue it is administered correctly. If participants bring medicines with them it is their responsibility to store and administer it themselves and Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust accepts no liability for loss or damage.
Staff are qualified first aiders and will administer emergency treatment where necessary
Education & Health
Playing for Success
What is playing for success?
Playing for Success(PSF) is an educational programme designed to raise literacy, numeracy and ICT skills through the medium of sport.
Purpose built classrooms containing state-of-the-art equipment are created within sports clubs and local schools are invited to take up spaces for their students in a 10 week after-school programme.
Most Study Centres employ fully-qualified teaching staff to deliver the Playing for Success sessions.
What are the aims of the PFS?
The key aims are to;
* Offer an innovative and dynamic learning environment
* Raise achievement
* Promote independent learning
* Develop skills in literacy, numeracy and ICT
Improve the motivation and self-esteem of all individuals involved with this scheme.
Social Inclusion
Community Trust Coaches have entered into a weekly coaching regime at HM Guys MarshPrison with over twenty inmates participating in the scheme.
Other similar institutions will be included in the coming months.
Healthy Living Initiative:
The main aims of the Initiative are to:-
- Ensure that young people most at risk from health conditions associated with unhealthy lifestyles and those with conditions that would benefit from regular exercise are included.
- Provide employment opportunities created for appropriately qualified individuals.
- Create & develop opportunities for participation in healthy activities.
Coordination
Many children and young people with special needs have difficulty mastering simple physical skills such as hopping, balancing, catching, running and kicking, and football training naturally offers scope for practising these skills.
More than this, sessions give children who have poor spatial awareness and appear clumsy the chance to develop a better sense of themselves 'in time and space'.
Their position in relation to other people and objects improves, as does eye-ball co-ordination.
Communication
Many children have some difficulty understanding what others say or making themselves understood.
Coaches adapt their teaching and language to support participants listening and attention skills.
Demonstration, practise and repetition help young players develop a better understanding of spatial concepts like 'in front', 'beside' and 'between'.
Later, the same approaches help older players secure their understanding of sequences of events and more complex instructions.
Often participants with language difficulties choose hobbies that are solitary and which do not demand the use of language.
Football generates chat. It is our national sport, everyone has something to say, and for young people who find it hard to think what to say in social situations, it is a good topic.
It is easier to show an interest in other people's views and not so hard to say what you think.
Even players whose speech is unclear, or who have problems organising their thoughts, are motivated to talk about football.
The more they talk and the more they have success at being understood and holding another person's interest, the more confident players become at speaking to others they do not know so well
Being Part of a Team
Football teaches how to take both individual and collective responsibility for what happens. Players learn that working as a team will mean making chances for other players rather than just taking them for yourself.
It is good practice for young people who may have little experience of thinking strategically.
Playing football teaches participants to play by the rules and to accept a decision that they may disagree with.
A lot of young people find it hard to 'put themselves in someone else's shoes' or to have a sense of justice, and they need plenty of safe chances to practice acceptable ways to manage disappointment.
Special needs children face particular barriers to taking part in competitive sports, so unless we create safe, structured opportunities to train and play, their fitness and stamina is likely to be poorer.
Special schools often struggle to recruit specialist sports teachers or find it difficult to find a big enough group of pupils of similar age and ability to teach team sports. For many special needs children an informal 'kick about' in the park with friends is not an option.
Parents worry about their vulnerability and safety. Friends at special schools are unlikely to live near by and mainstream peers rarely invite slower, weaker players to join their team.
Even very able players who 'try out' for mainstream teams are more likely to find themselves 'left on the bench' as difficulties making themselves understood are assumed to reflect their skill at the game.
