Page 49 - Phonebox Magazine October 2006

Olney Town Colts FC celebrate past success and look forward to a bright new season!
Following England’s first World Cup match the night before, which seems a light years past now, anyone near the vicinty of
Olney Town Football Club on the afternoon of Sunday 11th June would have again witnessed Football fever in full swing.
Olneys Mayor Paul Watson joined over 150 budding football stars and their families congregating at Olney Town Football Club for the Olney Town Colts for their annual Presentation day and family BBQ. In superb summer weather, he witnessed the huge array of young sporting talent on parade in Olney as the colts (under 7s to under 15s) were presented with various trophies, medals and shields in recognition and appreciation of all the hard work during training and matches throughout the season.
Well done to all the players receiving a medal and congratulations to all the trophy and shield award winners. A full list of winners can be found on www.olneytowncolts.co.uk.
Thanks Galore! – Parents, players and everyone connected with the colts section of the club wishes to thank the managers, coaches (all parental volunteers) and our 2005–6 season sponsors Universal Services, Captain Carpet, Instinctive UK, Olney Tyre and Exhaust Centre for their help, support
and commitment, because without them, junior football in Olney would not be thriving as it is.
Thanks also to Chairman of Olney Town FC Paul Tough, and helpers for organizing the delicious barbeque food (supplied by Bennets butchers) and to anyone else whose help on the day contributed towards an organized, relaxed afternoon of fun.
A new era of exciting changes
During the afternoon
presentations, long serving
coach Tim Ray thanked
the outgoing Olney Town
Colts chairman, Steve
Calfe, for his dedication
and drive over the last six
years recognizing the
major role Steve has
played in helping to make
many of the forthcoming
changes feasible and
developing the colts
section to what it is today.
Steve is preparing to
exchange his committee role to that of the colts MKDJ7 Secretary, with the knowledge that he can leave the flourishing colts in the
capable hands of the new Colts chairman, Ian Stokes.
Steve was enthusiastic about the exciting times coming up for young players at Olney, listing some of the thrilling new developments happening as the club moves into a different era. He expressed his gratitude to Paul Sacre, Tim Ray and Phil Hall, key founding members, whose vital behind the scenes support and experience has enabled the transition for new managers and development of new teams to be as seamless as possible.
Tim mentioned how magnificent it was to witness Olney Town colts grow from the handful of keen U7s six years ago (now next seasons U15’s and shortly to be moving into adult football with
the club!) to ten
colts teams
providing junior
football for over 150 local
children. With more children
joining Olney Town Colts all the time, and several joining our ‘taster sessions’, he anticipted that, with parents help, the prospects look promising for an U7’s team to be formulated in the forthcoming season.
If you want to know more - You can find out further information on junior and youth football in Olney, by contacting a committee member via the Olney Town Colts website www.olneytowncolts.co.uk. We are always pleased to welcome new players, where capacity allows, especially if their parents are willing to help!
One of the Football Associations aims at the “grassroots” level of football, is to encourage even more parents to play a positive role in supporting their children’s football experience. Parents are a crucial ingredient in supporting the involvement of their children with football.
The FA recognises that parental involvement in football can greatly influence the development of children, both in the football environment and in their overall lifestyles. It is exactly this ethos that makes it possible for the thousands of junior football clubs up and down the country to exist.
The FA has an area on their website dedicated to ‘Soccer Parents’, see the address below. It contains useful information that parents can use to support children’s sport.
So why not take a look? www.thefa.com/Grassroots/ClubDevelopment /Volunteers/Postings/2004/01/SoccerParent
If you are a little bit older than a colt, and want to learn more about the older teams playing football in Olney, check out the adult teams at Olney Town F.C on their website www.olneytownfc.com. We look forward to hearing from you. d
Phonebox Magazine 53