HIGHAM FC NEWSLETTER September 2007 Hi to everyone I hope that you have all enjoyed the holiday break from football and are ready for an exciting season in 2007/08 I am delighted to be the Club Chairman again and I look forward to leading Higham FC into the future. Many thanks to Andy Wilson, Karen Wilson, Michelle Mulholland and the other committee members for their sterling work over the years they held office. The new officers of the Club are Lee Hewitt, Secretary, and Jan Gilroy, Treasurer. Andy Wilson is continuing on the committee in the position of Vice Chairman. The new Committee comprises Ernie Eardley (Social Secretary), Steve Eardley, Mark Griffin and Roger Ramsell. It has been agreed that the subscriptions remain at the same level as last year. That will be £80 for league squad members and £40 for non-league players. As in previous seasons, these can be paid as one amount in September or in two installments in September and January. The income from subscriptions for season 2006/07 was £4,893 and the expenditure was £6,717.92 but with your support of fundraising events (e.g. raffles etc) we still have a healthy balance to start the new season. Obviously I would like you to continue doing this – or the subscriptions will have to rise accordingly! The largest expenditure was for the Christmas party and Annual Awards Night (including trophies) so the lads are the winners! NEW SEASON All the league squads are in training for the matches commencing on the weekend of 8/9 September. I have had the opportunity to referee two of our Under 11s friendly games and was extremely pleased with their performances, well done to the lads and coaches. This is more pleasing when you consider that these two games were their first at 11 a side football. As the season progresses I hope to see as many of each age group games as possible. THE FUTURE The future of the club is in the hands of all players and parents and I would like your support in encouraging all our players to attract more players of 5 years of age upwards to the club. We have advertised in the local press and schools with little response and it appears to me that it is word of mouth and peer pressure that will increase numbers. Higham FC is still a young club, however we have achieved a great deal of success during the past few years winning two league championships and mini-soccer tournaments and becoming a Football Association Chartered Standard club. This is due to the efforts of a great many people and a position that many other clubs have never achieved. It is great that we have had this success and I have no doubt we will continue to flourish, however the culture of the club is for the players to enjoy their football and for the parents to continue to build the camaraderie within the club. I believe we are the envy of many clubs in this respect and a strength we should concentrate on when encouraging and enticing new players to our club. I am happy, along with our coaches, to visit local schools to conduct coaching sessions and hold special coaching sessions at all our coaching locations during the season in order to build for the future. Social Events We have a Social Secretary who will be in touch with each age group to obtain ideas for our social programme, I know he wishes to resurrect the sponsored bike-ride at MIRA Ltd and the Family Day at Cadeby Hall among other activities. Once the season is under way, you will receive updates from the age-group coaches and the committee about progress and forthcoming events. Websites Tamworth League are changing their website to the same one as Nuneaton & Bedworth Minor League – . Follow the instructions for your League, team and age group. Tamworth league fixtures are already on the site. Both Jan and I are going to visit our daughter in Australia during September. The respective age group managers will keep everything running smoothly in our absence. Subscriptions can be paid to them or to Jan on her return. I wish all players, coaches and parents an enjoyable season and Good Luck to everyone. Yours in sport Andy Gilroy

Code of Conduct for Players Players are the most important people in the sport. Playing for the team, and for the team to win, is the most fundamental part of the game. But not winning at any cost – Fair Play and respect for all others in the game is fundamentally important. This Code focuses on players involved in top-class football. Nevertheless, the key concepts in the Code are valid for players at all levels. Obligations towards the game A player should 1. Make every effort to develop their own sporting abilities, in terms of skill, technique, tactics and stamina. 2. Give maximum effort and strive for the best possible performance during a game, even if his team is in a position where the desired result has already been achieved. 3. Set a positive example for others, particularly young players and supporters 4. Avoid all forms of gamesmanship and time-wasting. 5. Always have regard for the best interests of the game, including where publicly expressing an opinion on the game and any particular aspect of it, including others involved in the game. 6. Not use inappropriate language. Obligations towards one’s own team A player should 1. Make every effort consistent with Fair Play and the Laws of the Game to help his own team win. 2. Resist any influence which might, or might be seen to, bring into question his commitment to the team winning. Respect for the Laws of the Game and competition rules A player should 1. Know and abide by the Laws, rules and spirit of the game, and the competition rules. 2. Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, equally. 3. Resist any temptation to take banned substances or use banned techniques. Respect towards Opponents A player should 1. Treat opponents with due respect at all times, irrespective of the result of the game. 2. Safeguard the physical fitness of opponents, avoid violence and rough play, and help injured opponents. Respect towards the Match Officials A player should 1. Accept the decision of the Match Official without protest. 2. Avoid words or actions which may mislead a Match Official. 3. Show due respect towards Match Officials. Respect towards Team Officials A player should 1. Abide by the instructions of their Coach and Team Officials, provided they do not contradict the spirit of this Code. 2. Show due respect towards the Team Officials of the opposition. Obligations towards the Supporters A player should: 1. Show due respect to the interests of supporters.

Parents / Spectators have a great influence on children’s enjoyment and success in football. All children play football because they first and foremost love the game – it’s fun. It is important to remember that however good a child becomes at football within your club it is important to reinforce the message to parents / spectators that positive encouragement will contribute to: · Children enjoying football. · A sense of personal achievement. · Self-esteem. · Improving the child’s skills and techniques. A parent’s / spectator’s expectations and attitudes have a significant bearing on a child’s attitude towards: · Other players. · Officials. · Managers. · Spectators. Ensure that parents / spectators within your club are always positive and encouraging towards all of the children not just their own. Encourage parents / spectators to: · Applaud the opposition as well as your own team. · Avoid coaching the child during the game. · Not to shout and scream. · Respect the referee’s decision. · Give attention to each of the children involved in football not just the most talented. · Give encouragement to everyone to participate in football.