Whittington FC Foundation section Planning for the future

Foundation section – our guiding principles Promote & retain interest of children in playing football for as long as possible To provide a fun environment, open to all Player development is key – to play football at a level commensurate with ability One age-based squad, players shared across teams and up the permitted year (if appropriate) to ensure players have the right level of challenge Work together as a group of coaches – improving coaches to improve players

Why we create a philosophy? England DNA Model asks… “What does your club stand for?” “What is it trying to achieve?”

What is our Vision? By 2020, to be recognised regionally as the premier junior community club for player development, where we put what is right for the player at the heart of everything we do. This vision will be delivered by a core group of high quality, certified, and committed coaches who put personal recognition aside to develop players of all abilities.

What is our Vision? The coaches use peer mentoring and external experts to continually improve themselves and the players at the club. Everything the coaches do is with improving the players in mind and is not clouded by "winning". My Team will cease to exist and it will become Our Teams and Our Age Group. Through coaching together, on one site, at age group level, we develop players, catering for the differences within players. Most importantly the players look forward to the sessions and always enjoy them.

We’ve achieved a lot…as the Foundation Nov 15 - like-minded coaches came together regarding improving the ways in which WFC operates Jan 16 - Foundation Coaching philosophy document created in response to England DNA initiative; endorsed by Staffs. FA & used to secure FA Coach Mentor Mar 16 - Access granted to scrutinise, update, properly record & manage Club’s accounts & finances Jul 16 – Realisation of shared vision for collective coaching & training at Tamworth FC; invitation to all mangers to join the collective approach

We’ve achieved a lot…as the Foundation Aug 16 – introduction of Webcollect to improve collection & management of finances; U8’s introduced to & engaged in philosophy Sep 16 – recycling of playing kit to keep costs down; support provided to U8’s as FA courses were not pre-completed Oct 16 – Goalkeeping training introduced; FA Mentor training introduced Dec 16 – kids and parents Christmas party – bringing a social element in

Our challenges Different philosophies Money issues / No Financial Responsibility Lack of Leadership Current structure of the club No governance or policy adherence No future planning No help or support Very little support provided to Soccer Centre Adults football

So what’s the next step? Stay as we are – accept the differences & issues in the current set-up Find a like-minded club to merge with Create our own Club

So what’s the next step? Stay as we are – accept the differences & issues in the current set-up Follow own franchise model within WFC Continue to further pick up the pieces and help run the club Continue to subsidise older teams (accept that to be competitive the First team cannot charge players) Accept that the current Nike partnership is beneficial for older teams Figure out what to do with Baxter’s as lease ends

So what’s the next step? 2. Find a like-minded club to merge with Alrewas would like to grow Round Table have capacity for some teams

So what’s the next step? Create our own Club Build a club in our vision to represent our beliefs Allow Whittington FC to carry on as they have been doing Further embed our player development approach Engage in a philosophy we all believe in

What would we lose if we left WFC? Good name of WFC established in 1989 Affiliation Number Standard Charter Status Existing Committee/Welfare officer Adult football Nike Partnership (Bursary,Events) Baxter’s Field & Equipment Playing Kit/Coaches Kit Buffer in the bank account Approximately +£3k now left in reserves History with the bank Paul Woodcock signs off accounts CASC status Flow of new (young <8) players Soccer Centre may choose to continue to feed into Whittington

Our proposal is to create a new Club Need to follow a single joined up philosophy Junior Club only Strong financial management We can re-create quickly the benefits of being part of WFC ourselves It’s too hard work trying to change those who don’t believe in / have apathy to a single philosophy Utilise energy to make our vision become a reality 1246 450 1236

Welcome to Mercia Juniors FC Mercia Juniors FC Through Unity, Strength

What do we need to do? Set up Affiliation Number Add Rules Complete Vision Policy and Governance documents Interim Committee Website Membership Webcollect Fundraising Bank account / Accounting Team/League registration by March Insurance AGM & Committee meetings Base Badge Agree Name Colours

What does Mercia stand for? U16/U18 teams top age group Open to all Development philosophy/Players correctly challenged High standard of coaching Continued improvement on collective coaching Continued FA engagement To Legacy Recognised as number one Junior Football club in the Midlands Realisation of original vision Shared values and beliefs A club we can be proud of 01/12/2018 Confidential

In summary, what’s the difference? Whittington FC Mercia Juniors FC Kids Kit & Equipment ( NIKE only ) Charter Standard Status Adult Football Financial Responsibility Tamworth FC training Baxter’s field Electronic Membership Everyone contributes Soccer Centre relationship Club DNA/Philosophy Development plan Only Qualified Coach BJFL and League Football Share Fines Staff FA Mentoring Parent Governance and Support structure Kids Kit & Equipment ( Best Price/Product) Charter Standard Status ( Pending) Baxters field Only qualified coach

What we need to do… Jan 17 FA Chartered Standard application to be made All Parents and coaches across all teams to be formally briefed as to the intention and rationale behind Mercia Juniors FC. Open invention to express interest to join. Websites and social platforms created Interim Committee in place

What we need to do… Feb / Mar 17 Confirmation of the number of teams required for season 2017/18 Determine costs of running the relevant number of teams to enable Membership fees to be set Club sponsorship discussions arranged Register with relevant leagues

What we need to do… Apr / May / Jun 17 Sample kits secured and tenders issued for playing kit Identify any new Managers or Coaches for the forthcoming season Determine budget for forthcoming season Establish formal relationships with mini football providers such as Soccertots, Lichfield Soccer Academy, Whittington Soccer Centre Return all existing kit and equipment to Whittington Football Club

What we need to do… Jul 17 Mercia Juniors AGM – Committee positions appointed Sep 17 New Season begins

Finally… This is not about falling out with Whittington FC This is about having a different vision – and realising it. Something we’ve already started with the Foundation this year. Depending on your own values & beliefs as parents, you have a clear choice.