Getting up at 6.00am this morning wasn't pleasant, but a lot more exciting than waking up at 5am for work. Rocking up to St.George's Park for the launch lit the adrenaline to keep me going for the day, the arrival of 6 schools and a whole host of VIPs also rattled my nerves.
Fortunately the smiley faces of my Football Futures friends were there upon arrival along with Sean Smith (ISFA) and Steve Swallow (FA).
Straight down to work and pumping up goals to get prepared for the launch, but then we hit our first snag, one of our goals had a fault, a hole.. Meaning it deflated minutes after going up. But like all good organised events, there was a plan in hand, we had hockey goals available! Little did I know, the SGP staff weren't kidding when they said how heavy they were!! To settle my mood for the day, I got to play on the electronic wheelchairs in the backroom.. I think that alone shows why I don't drive a car!
With the goals up, pitches set and players warmed up.. the launch festival was ready to go. A first hearing off Steve Swallow to open the event to the schools and then myself to explain the rules and get things going. Already, a ridiculous level of responsibility had been handed over to us young volunteers to run and lead the tournament.
One point was put in at the beginning, after each team had played 1 game, the teams could make changes to the tournament, any that they felt necessary or that they wanted to see.
As games got underway and the practical side of the launch got started, the official launch took place in the luxury of the Hilton Hotel. The initiative opened up and explained to the VIPs, national FA Staff and members of other national bodies within sport. They were given a briefing of how TEAMSIXTEEN will work and what they are investing in.
Back in the Futsal arena/hall games were underway, goals were being scored and players were enjoying themselves. I did my best to enthuse players and supporters by dancing and jumping around with foam hands on alongside helping to run the festival. I'd like to think that I did a half decent job at making people laugh and smile :D
After the first few games, the players did change a few things around. The girls added in throw ins, made the pitch bigger and asked only to play with a pink ball.. apparently the colour of the ball, made a huge difference to their performance. The boys asked to swap their game times so that they could go and support the girls when they weren't playing. They added in a half time, and said you could only score from a header or volley from within the goal area. Some pretty big changes, especially the fixture changes. The schools each brought a girls and boys side, they boys wanted to be able to support the girls when they weren't playing, instead of playing parallel games.
This already, at the launch event showing the power of young people, already taking control of the initiative and playing how they want to. After all isn't that what youth football is all about?
Towards the end of the festival you could feel the enjoyment, the sense of responsibility from the players, not just us volunteers. During the first few games coaches/teachers were in control of substitutes and what was going on. During the last few games, no teachers were seen on the touch line.. but in the stand watching. Players had control of subs, formations and pretty much every decision was their own. I even had a player tell me off for standing behind the goal, she told me it was the rule.
As the festival drew to a close and the VIPs arrived for a nose around, players were having a laugh, doing a conga around the hall, and supporting other teams they met only hours earlier. It's such a wonderful game which we have the opportunity to work in, brings so many people together, creates so many memories and friendships. After such a fantastic morning, it felt sad that games were running out and that it had to draw to a close.
During my own moment of reflection, I thought about how much the event changed by the players alone. This is day 1, just think of what there is to come. The festival was run by young people for young people, sure most of us are Football Futures young leaders, but again doesn't that just show football can change and develop people. Bar Steve's opening speech, no adult had any influence on the festival. Just us young leaders, refereeing, collecting score cards, adding up scores, sorting pitches, warm ups, being around to bring life into the festival.
On a personal note, unbelievable to think that the Team19 speech I had was nerve wracking I didn't look up once; to being a huge part in opening the event and being so open all day by dancing, making people laugh and talking to anyone and everyone. It put a huge smile on my face, standing for a second and thinking about the influence I had on today's event and the response from the kids.
No one told me to lead briefing to the volunteers, players and teachers. I took it upon myself. I've learnt that I have to relax and enjoy the event for it to rub off onto the players. Sure I will have looked a fool for the first 10 minutes, and most of the day, but I had a fantastic time and wanted it to rub off onto everyone else.
At the end of the festival, the winning teams were announced.. To which I can't remember. But does that really matter? All of the players finished with smiles on their faces. They were a part of the official launch and have already shown the power of young people within football. It's their game, let them play it in the way they want.
Minutes after closing the launch, the hall was deserted. Players, volunteers and VIPs had vacated the area and headed for Burton Albion FC to watch England Ladies versus the current world champions Japan! Before I could head off for the game, I and a couple of others were left to close down the event fully by packing away all of the equipment and leaving the hall in the what in which it was found.
Our other volunteers acted as Games Makers outside of the game, promoting TEAMSIXTEEN and getting schools to pass over details for further contact when the initiative goes live.
Our other volunteers acted as Games Makers outside of the game, promoting TEAMSIXTEEN and getting schools to pass over details for further contact when the initiative goes live.
Whilst at the England game, everyone's involved within the TEAMSIXTEEN launch completed a lap of honour around the pitch at half time. A huge amount of exposure to the new initiative, made even better by the attendance of over 5,300 spectators to the game, alongside those watching online at FATV. Hopefully this is a massive kick start to the programme, with many schools becoming a part of the programme.
The women's game itself finished 1-1, a very entertaining game with England having a goal disallowed late on. The Lionesses now travel to Sweden for the European championships where we hope they will go one better than the last championships and come out as winners.
Just to round off this blog post, whilst waiting for the train at Burton-on-Trent station, a gentleman asked myself and Jazz Hervin [Football Futures Young Leader] about TEAMSIXTEEN after hearing about it a the England game. He then went on to tell us about how he was Rachel Yankey's youth team coach and how he got her into playing football for his team at a young age. After being reunited with Rachel after the game, she said, 'thank you, you created me as a footballer.' To the coach's reply of, 'I didn't create you, you created yourself.'
What an amazing story, but doesn't that just relate to the entire day. Football can be coach led, or run by teachers, but they/we are just the there to help build a foundation. What is done from there is up to the players. Change the rules, format anything and everything.. it is the player's game, however much we want to create great players.. it is down to them to create themselves.
Word can't really explain how much I enjoyed the whole day, arriving to the event and then sticking around with my Football Futures mates afterwards. We as young volunteers were able to shape the day for our young players who will allow the initiative to flourish back at their schools.
Many thanks to everyone involved within the launch of TEAMSIXTEEN and those who will be a part of it's future. A huge shout out to our Football Futures Family who worked incredibly hard to make the day a success, and enjoyable.
Many thanks to everyone involved within the launch of TEAMSIXTEEN and those who will be a part of it's future. A huge shout out to our Football Futures Family who worked incredibly hard to make the day a success, and enjoyable.
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