Owls Trust Allstars JFC

Hello!

Welcome to the Owls Trust Allstars J.F.C website. The club consists of 2 teams at present, under 16's and under 12's with an under 8's development squad to be put in place.

WHO ARE WE?

The Owls Trust Allstars was established in 2000.

The Idea originally came following a meeting of the Owls Trust, a group of Wednesday fans, when one of the issues discussed was, why there are so few Asian footballers in the game. Sheila Yorke, 68 years young, a resident of Darnall and a lifelong supporter of Sheffield Wednesday F.C. was at that meeting and she decided there and then to form a club, which would provide an opportunity for local youngsters from ethnic minorities to take part in the game.

Shortly after, the Club was set up with the aim of engaging young people in healthy outdoor sports, giving them an alternative to ‘hanging around street corners’ and assisting in reducing the problems of youth nuisance and the associated problems of crime and vandalism

Darnall is a deprived area rated at 422 in the government index of the most deprived wards in the United Kingdom. It is an area that suffered greatly from the collapse of the steel industry in the eighties, the ‘Darnall Riots in 1994, and has a high level of ethnic minorities living in the local neighbourhood.

WHAT DO WE DO?

The main activities of the Club are working with young people, 7-16years of age; involving them in Football, providing training through qualified Football Coaches and encouraging team and individual activities on a regular planned basis. These activities encourage participation, increase individuals confidence and promote team spirit. We also work with other local groups, schools and clubs.

From a standing start with no members, the club mainly through ‘word of mouth’ soon attracted a membership of 94 youngsters within three months. An early partnership with Football Unites Racism Divides (FURD), provided qualified football coach’s and rapidly led to the formation of an Under-14’s and Under – 16’s, eleven a-side teams. At this time

we had no money, no equipment, no pitch and no league to join. An approach was made to the Lower Don Valley Community Development Trust and with their help we applied to the National Lottery Community Fund, small grants and the Childrens Fund Local Network. This enabled us to buy the basic equipment, one team kit for the U-16’s, training Bibs, Corner Flags and also funds to for a Training Venue during the winter time, pitch hire and Referee Fee’s for the 2002/3 season. Most of the first season was spent working with the youngsters, coaching and the occasional friendly match. All the preparation that took place in the 2002/3 season, enabled us to form two teams, U-14’s and U-16’s and enter the Rotherham & District JFC, which was a new league also starting for the first time. Our first year in the league saw a successful start for the U-14’s who achieved second place in the league and won the League Cup. The U-16’s whilst full of enthusiasm and commitment found it very difficult to adjust from their normal 5-a-side to eleven a-side football and finished the season at the bottom of the league. The experience for all the youngsters was worthwhile and this year we expect to move up the table rapidly.

In the summer of 2003 the Club approached McDonalds in Darnall and asked for their help and to their credit, the Manager, Tony Harrison was extremely supportive and 2003/4 will see us start the season with a brand new kit for the U-16’s sponsored by McDonalds. Sheila decided that she must complete a Coaching Qualification and, needless to say, that meant she had to purchase a pair of football boots, which she subsequently did at the Meadowhall Shopping Complex. In the process she brought the whole shop to a grinding halt whilst customers and staff looked on unable to understand what a 68-year-old pensioner was doing trying on boots! However, undeterred by the attention and overcome with embarrassment the boots were bought, the coaching course completed and now she is the proud possessor of a Football Association Level 1 Certificate to say nothing of the Child Protection Course, First Aid Course and Parent Management. We later found out that Sheila was the oldest couch in England.

The last three years have been a wonderful experience, although, not without a lot of difficult times. Worries about funds, no permanent base, travelling to away games is but a few but overall it has been a real learning experience with more good times than bad. I can’t explain how proud I am of my kids – I just am. I love football and so do they. Some of them, if they want it will I’m sure have a future in the professional game. Already, one young Asian lad has been accepted by the Sheffield Wednesday Academy and is progressing very well. I take him to the Academy on Monday evenings so I can watch him developing and one of our volunteers takes him on a Wednesday. There are 200 young players at the Academy but only one Asian boy. A small start but a significant one.

Amongst my voluntary workers that have supported me and the Club all the way through are Stuart Rogers, a Level 2 Coach and Richard Sutcliffe another Level 2 Coach who joined us three months ago, both of whom work with the Sheffield City Council. Ian Holloway, a university student and Miles Waters a student at Sheffield Catering College, both help with the training sessions, league matches and anything else that needs doing. Jill Goodison, a friend for many years who helps me with administration and accounts.

HAS IT BEEN WORTHWHILE?

The answer is a very emphatic - YES. All of us have enjoyed ourselves - volunteers and kids alike. Football is a great game that brings people together, promotes teamwork, camaraderie and gives the youngsters a feeling of belonging to something special. My hope for the future is that we go from strength to strength, that everyone enjoys their involvement and the club continues to develop.


PROGRESSION

We are now into the season of 2007-2008 And the proud owners of the Charter Standard,
We will be introducing a under eights team this coming season and if all goes well are hoping to develop a continuing introduction of age groups throughout the club.

There is still a lot to do, like leasing the land that we play on, getting funding off the Football Foundation for changing rooms, which is no mean task, but the entire club is now ready for the big adventure.