On Sunday, our U12s and U14s finished their FAW Futsal campaign at Deeside Leisure Centre, with both teams competing in semi-finals, writes Jason Brindley.
Over the last three Futsal contacts, you face off against each North Wales Academy in a league format. The top four then qualify for the semi-finals where top plays 4th and 2nd plays 3rd. Whoever the two finalists are then travel to South Wales to compete in the FAW National Finals, at the House Of Sport near Cardiff City Stadium.
While we don’t preach about results, we want our players to enjoy their success. There is a way of winning and that’s what we preach to our players. Win playing the right way, playing our way. Believe the reasons behind our principles, why we play how we do, but don’t be blinded by results. Know the end game, what we are working towards. Player Development is a marathon, not a sprint. Successful children don’t always make successful adults and it’s how we nurture and support the individual player.
I’m lucky enough to work with our U12s as one of my lead groups and they are incredible. I tell them all the time that coaching them is a joy. I look forward to every session, planning how to make it fun yet challenging, while meeting their own individual needs.
It’s the first time I have lead a group so young, so it’s been a challenge at first to adapt my coaching mannerism to an extent, but one I have thoroughly enjoyed. To see their personality development over the past eight months has been why I love doing what I do. They are incredible young people. They were excellent over the course of the four contacts, with all of our players playing a part in us reaching the finals.
Both the semi-final against Llandudno and final against Bangor were of very high standard, and the quality of opposition superb. I know the players have really enjoyed the experience and we look forward to travelling to Cardiff for the National Finals.
Our U14s again were fantastic in the way they conducted themselves over the course of the four contacts. They have really developed this season and we are proud that they will also travel to Cardiff.
Following the matches, under-14s coach, Danny Bell, said:
“Our U14s showed fantastic character and played some brilliant Futsal. The players have earned themselves a place in Cardiff National finals along with Airbus representing North Wales.
“The players have shown great understanding of our clubs principles, playing the same way, despite a huge up hill battle towards the end without any substitutions. But that didn’t effect their work rate.
“The positive attitude, togetherness, and passion the players have developed, and the fantastic environment they all surrounded themselves in, is a pleasure to be in and around as their coach.”
We are very proud of both groups of players, this being the second consecutive season that two groups are travelling to compete in the National Finals.
It’s a great achievement by all the players that have helped us reach the finals.
