1. Whittington FC Foundation section
Planning for the future

8. 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

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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

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

29. 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.