To mark the end of this coaching block before the Easter break, the club held its traditional morning of games. It was a great opportunity for the players to showcase everything they’ve learned over the past five weeks.

We were also lucky to have ladies’ goalkeeper Katie Samson and squad player Suzy Collins join us to support the girls — their presence is always a big hit and an inspiring addition to the day!

There were no players of the week this time, as the focus was purely on having fun, sharing some laughs, and enjoying the game of futsal. A perfect way to head into the break!

Final Thoughts Of A Coach…

As another block of coaching comes to a close and with one more exciting week remaining in the fantastic West Riding Girls Futsal League, I find myself reflecting on what we have accomplished so far this year.

We operate under growing pressure to provide the right environment, ensuring our coaching delivers both enjoyment and meaningful development for the girls. This season has brought the added challenge of increased competition, with two football academies opening in the area. Parents and players now have more choices than ever before. While the FA continues to offer excellent opportunities for girls through programs like Wildcats and Squad Girls, there is still no equivalent for futsal. Why that is, I honestly can’t say.

Our numbers have dipped compared to previous seasons, and we recently lost two more players — one to an academy and another to work and boyfriends. Yes, it does happen! Moments like these make me reflect on the experience we offer: the cost, the commitment, the coaching, and the overall environment. Are we doing the best we can for the girls who turn up every week? We can’t keep everyone forever, but I find reassurance in the loyalty we see.

A key measure I often look at is the number of appearance medals we give out. We celebrate commitment with medals at 50, 100, 150, and now even 200 training sessions and matches. Considering we hold around 30 sessions a season, reaching 50 appearances is a true testament to the dedication of our players. This season, we’ve awarded more medals than ever before, which makes me believe we must be doing something right.

We also have a few exciting fixtures coming up, including a much-anticipated match against a touring Australian side. Remarkably, this echoes our very first game eight years ago — funny how time has a way of repeating itself.

Have a fantastic Easter, enjoy your time with loved ones, and we’ll see you all again on Sunday, April 27th, at St. Peter’s.

Coach Chris