After a two week break we were off and running with the next block of futsal coaching. With the U14s playing in Hull and the Year 11s in the middle of their GCSE mocks, we dropped down to two hours again. Not that it made any difference as the tempo and the fun were as high and fast as ever!

Today we focused on dropping in and receiving for the goalkeeper. We had noticed that in many matches the goalkeeper was simply throwing the ball long and we were losing possession. To address this, three players were required to drop into the defensive third to receive the ball. This opened up the court and allowed other players to take 1v1 opportunities if needed. It was hard work, but we saw many instances where players were able to play through the opposition and support the high player, who could not score, creating plenty of goalscoring opportunities. It was great fun to watch and a fantastic futsal session all round. Well done everyone!

First Hour – Mia T – What a fantastic session from Mia today. In previous weeks she has tended to boot the ball clear when it came to her, but today she showed real composure, taking a touch, thinking about her options, and playing some brilliant passes to her teammates. She also pushed higher up the court with confidence and even had a couple of shots. Top job, Mia. Brilliant progress and great attitude. Keep it up.

Second Hour – Maja G – She is really enjoying playing with the older girls and doesn’t look out of place at all. We already know she has excellent feet and a lovely touch, but now she is starting to use the ball intelligently, making quick passes when needed and driving forward with confidence when the opportunity arises. Keep this up, Maja, and the future looks very bright for you.

Last Saturday we were thrilled to welcome Erin with her Ladies first team debut! This milestone is the result of months of hard work, dedication, and commitment to improving at every training session. From her early days in the academy, Erin has consistently shown determination, focus, and a willingness to push herself and her teammates to be better.

Her journey hasn’t always been easy. There have been challenges, moments that tested patience, and times when progress felt slow. But through persistence, resilience, and a positive attitude, Erin has steadily developed into a player ready to step onto the first-team court.

Her debut was not just a celebration of Erin’s talent but also a sign of what the academy is producing. With her drive and commitment, Erin has set an example for others to follow, and we are confident that she is the first of many players from the current academy who will make their mark in the first team. Her performance today shows that with hard work and dedication, great things are possible.

The future is bright, blue and Bootham!