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SEPTEMBER 2003

26-Sept-03

FITC

Linfield WFC will be holding open trials on 27 September for girls who are serious about playing football for Linfield. Trials will start at 11am. Girls should report at 10.45 to Midgely Park, and should bring full kit and boots. The trials will be for a development squad (ages 10-14) and the senior squad (15+). Successful girls will be invited to attend training that will run between October and April (when the women’s season starts). The senior squad will also be travelling to Letterkenny in the near future, thanks to funding from Farcett Inishowen Trust.

For the home game with Dungannon Swifts on Saturday 27 September, Linfield will be pleased to welcome to Windsor Park as guests of the club, a group of young people from the 16th Newtownabbey Company of the Boys' Brigade Belfast City Mission, Rathcoole ) .

We hope they will enjoy their visit to Windsor Park and we look forward to welcoming similar youth groups to Windsor Park in the near future.

M-S

Ten primary schools have been invited to take part in a Mini-Soccer festival on Weds 22 October between 10am and 12.30 pm. The festival will take place at Midgely Park.

We have been awarded a £1000 grant from Belfast City Council for coach education. We will be identifying people within the Linfield environment to help out with coaching at all levels. Quite a number of girls will be working towards coaching awards.

COE

We have received invites to a tournament in San Quirino (Italy), two tournaments in Belgium, and a return invitation to defend the trophies won at Top OSS tournament.

07-Sept-03

COE

The Centres of Excellence kicked off again on Sunday 7 September for the fifth year. This year there are over 80 children between the ages of 10 and 15 taking part, with over 20 new children onboard.

Plans are being made for entry in a number of tournaments in 2004. This will include a trip to Oss, Holland where two Linfield teams were victorious this year. At the first home game of the Irish League (27 Sept.), Mr Brian Higginson, Pepsi executive, will present the young players with trophies and medals. Renegotiation is due to take place in the coming months of Pepsi's sponsorship deal with the FDC.

Much has been discussed about the formation of young teams at Linfield. However, the relationship that Linfield have with junior teams is that Linfield are allowed to borrow their players for coaching and to enhance their skills. These junior teams were promised that Linfield would simply borrow the players and assist in their development, whilst not bringing the players exclusively to Linfield. This is a promise that the Club intends to keep, as we believe it is in the best interest of all concerned.

FITC

Monday 8 September sees the start again of school visits. A programme is already in place to cover the full school year from September ‘03 to June ’04.

Prior to Saturday’s women’s international at Windsor Park, 5,6, and 7 year olds from Newbridge will be giving a Mini Soccer display on the pitch. They will also play at half time in the game.

Linfield WFC will be holding open trials on 27 September for girls who are serious about playing football for Linfield. Trials will start at 11am. Girls should report at 10.45 to Midgely Park, and should bring full kit and boots. The trials will be for a development squad (ages 10-14) and the senior squad (15+). Successful girls will be invited to attend training that will run between October and April (when the women’s season starts).

Also on 27 September Dungoyne Boys will give a Mini Soccer display prior to the game against Dungannon Swifts. At the game on 18 October, Banbridge Boys will give a display.

Any children or groups who would like to take part at any of Linfield’s home games should contact David Chisholm.

On the coaching front, Belfast City Council has provided additional funding that will allow coaches to upgrade their qualifications. The Club has also been able to use the services of a supporter who has the UEFA B coaching qualification. Richard Dougherty helped out during the summer Camp and the Club would like to thank him for his assistance.

05-Sept-03

Summer Camp

57 eager young Linfield fans took part in a highly successful Linfield FDC Summer Camp from 18th – 22nd August at Midgely Park, and Linfield Youth Development Officer David Chisholm will look to build on this over the next few months.

Centre of Excellence

The Linfield Centre of Excellence, now in its fifth year, will recommence on Sunday 7th September at Paisley Park. Four new coaches have been added to the team, one of these being striker Glenn Ferguson, and a good turn out is expected.

Mini-Soccer

Players from Antrim-based Castletown Eagles took part in an exhibition of mini-soccer at Windsor Park prior to the first home game of the season against Larne, and it was the turn of Newbridge Boys Club at the Lisburn Distillery game.

Dungoyne will take to the Windsor Park pitch prior to the first Irish League home fixture with Dungannon Swifts, and any other youth, church or community group who would like to take part in mini-soccer before a home game should contact YDO David Chisholm.

For more information on the Linfield Youth Development Centre, contact David Chisholm or Pauline at Windsor Park (Tel 028 9024 4198).

Junior Blues

The first Junior Blues meetings of the new season have seen good turn outs of young supporters and parents, with 10 new members joining already.

Prior to kick off in the CIS Cup tie with Newry Town in September Stephen Collier will present a group of Junior Blues with his signed Linfield shirt from last season. The Junior Blues were the proud kit sponsors of Stephen for last season, and have renewed this arrangement for the new season.

Mini Soccer

The Junior Blues have received an invitation to take part in a mini soccer game against the Junior Ports at Shamrock Park on Saturday 4th October and will look to gain revenge for a defeat in the last Shamrock Park fixture.

Mascots

Junior Blues members will again act as mascots for Linfield in the coming season, with 10 year old Philip Rodgers from Wheatfield Primary School having led the team out against Lisburn Distillery.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Junior Blues is prior to the home game with Dungannon Swifts on 27th September.

Calling All Youth Groups

School, church and community youth groups are again invited to be guests of Linfield FC at home fixtures this season.

For further details on any of the above items, contact Linfield Junior Supporters Liaison Officer Andrew Conn at andrew.conn2@ntlworld.com.