When looking at local provisions for entry into football there are various ways to do this, these may include Sunday league football, schools and local parks. One aspect of getting involved with football may be going and playing with family or friends and when doing this on a regular basis will improve skills. Watching others and analysing situations may improve skills too. Children wanting to enter football at a local league are able to do this by joining a team in the Medway News Youth League. There are many teams within the league that start at under eight’s all the way to under eighteen’s and example of this would be Spartac Football Club. There are several soccer schools that will teach young to play football but not at a competitive level.
Teams within the Medway League may be provided with some money from a local companies that will provide the team with footballs, kit and goal nets. Once a team has a sponsor this has to be shown on the football shirt. Teams will take part in a competitive league and also two cups: the league cup and also the John Leeds cup. Pitches will be maintained and provided by the Kent Playing Fields Society, whilst the referees are provided by the FA and will be paid by the home team manager.
Local league media coverage may be viewed through the Internet looking at Football team’s websites. A local newspaper that is called the Medway News sponsors the league and this provides coverage on results and match reports. When performing at a certain level players will asked to play for the school football team, once in the team schools are entered into a League and cups and if the teams do well within these cups they will be entered into National cups during the ages from under twelve’s to under eighteens.
Provision for Elite performers Players are able to start playing at a young age due to the availability of a football team that primary schools have during year six. This will enable young players who have the ability to play at this level to compete in competitions where there may be scouts watching. When joining a secondary school and a young player has the ability to play at a certain level they are able to play for their school that play in the Kent league. Whilst playing for there school they are able to compete in league and cup games. These cups will either be the Kent Cup or Medway cup and players may get the opportunity to be scouted into a county, regional or even into a football academy. Many academy teams will have an award scheme in place that will allow the player to see how well they are doing and also for the scout to compare them with others. These are called player reports and will show statistic information for when they started at the club and to the present day on how they have improved.
The clubs Gillingham F.C, Charlton F.C and also Millwall F.C will scout players within Medway that have potential. These clubs with either have an academy or a school of excellence for players to develop themselves into an elite player. Players that are at a good standard of football will be given the opportunity to sign a contract to the club because they are seen to be a good potential to be a professional. By allowing this school work is not affected.
Additional Agencies and Bodies There are several agencies that will help towards development for football and these agencies will include Football Foundation, UK Sport and also the National Lottery. The National Lottery will provide grants to help with equipment for schools. Provision for Male/Female Competitors When entering football both genders are able to do this easy but it may be harder for a girl due to the broader age groups and fewer leagues given because of fewer When looking at local provisions for entry into football there are various ways to do this, these may include Sunday league football, schools and local parks. One aspect of getting involved with football may be going and playing with family or friends and when doing this on a regular basis will improve skills. Watching others and analysing situations may improve skills too.