CLUB NEWS

PRE SEASON TRAINING 2008

As the 2007 soccer season fades into the distance many soccer players look forward to a well earned rest, the chance to pursue alternative sporting opportunities and sun drenched days on the local beaches.

However, thoughts will soon turn again to next year and a properly structured pre-season training programme will make all the difference to players and their teams. Just don't leave it too late!!

I have personally experienced that feeling where your lungs are burning and you're gasping for air. Your face matches this season's new burgundy kit and your heart is trying to beat its way out of your chest... the first match of the season is nearly ten minutes old and you are beginning to regret your summer rooted to the sofa or watching the World Cup and eating pizzas.

But it doesn't have to be like this.

There is no substitute for a properly structured pre-season training schedule and we will be starting back in earnest on the 12TH FEBRUARY 2008. All senior players will be invited to attend a 7 week training program that will prepare them for the start of next season.

If you would like to be part of that process and have a chance of being selected for the 1st X1 squad it is a good idea to prepare in advance. Giving yourself a head-start before pre-season training begins means that you will need to build up your fitness, muscle-strength and endurance that will both lessen the pain of pre-season, and give you an edge over possible rivals for a place in the starting line-up.

If you would like to get a step ahead you can visit the England Football Association website and download either a six or three-week programme that will help you achieve this and it will not require any "expensive equipment". All you need is a park with a football pitch, a decent pair of trainers and a couple of hours a week.

CHECK IT OUT at: www.thefa.com/GrassrootsNew/

and click on Pre Season Training under the PLAYER section.

Cut and paste the link and away you go!!

PLAYER NEWS

Congratulations to the following FDMC players for their recent selection to a higher level of football in 2007:

Michael REIVE - TEAM TARANAKI (CENTRAL LEAGUE) & YOUNGHEART MANAWATU (National Youth League)

Stephen KIBBY & Shane GARNER - Central Federation 15th Grade (National Federation Tournament)

Thomas SMITH, Nic REIVE and Mark MCLACHLAN - Central Federation 14th Grade (National Federation Tournament)

Adon BURKETT - Central Federation 13th Grade National Federation Tournament)

In addition, a number of other players were selected to play for their respective age group Taranaki Representative teams and the college would like to congratulate all of these boys.

WELCOME TO FDMC SOCCER

Welcome to the FDMC SOCCER attachment.

I envisage a review of the current program, so that we can put systems in place to provide quality opportunities for all students to play football at both an elite level and on a social basis. My three aims are to:

• Promote individual player development
• Enhance overall team development
• Raise the profile of the game to encourage and stimulate on going participation at our school

I joined the college as a member of the P.E. staff last year and brought my vast experience, both as former professional and semi professional footballer in England and a UEFA qualified coach to enhance the fortunes of the 1st X1 team. Together with a very good crop of senior players we enjoyed a highly successful unbeaten inter-college season, which culminated in finishing Bronze medal winners at the NZ Secondary Schools Linwood Cup Soccer Tournament - missing out on a deserved place in the final after extra time and a penalty shoot out.

The interest in our sport and the potential for ongoing success at the college is obvious and I want to be more proactive in ensuring that this happens. In order to achieve these aims, I intend to enhance the soccer program in a number of ways, including:

• Re establishing FDMC 1st X1 as a senior soccer club again for the first time since 1997 and gaining entry to the Taranaki Premier League for 2008 (now approved)
• Upgrading the quantity and quality of resources including; modern training and fitness equipment, soccer balls, coaching aids and match related items, which the whole soccer program will benefit from
• Increasing the focus on quality coaching for younger players at the college (establishing a Junior Academy / Development Centre).

We are looking to the FDMC Community to assist in promoting this and we will be using the FDMC Soccer attachment to proactively promote and celebrate our success. It will also provide ongoing details relating to the Latest News, Squad Profiles, Fixtures/Results, Soccer Chat, Coaches Corner and many more. I would also like to establish some regular archive material or reference to FDMC Old Boys who were part of previous soccer teams at the college.

If you have any information, queries or are willing to support this vision in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me at:

ian.mcgrath@fdmc.school.nz

Ian McGrath

1st X1 Coach and Soccer Co-Ordinator

FIXTURE NEWS

FDMC will be hosting a Junior Soccer team from Cavendish Road High School in Brisbane, Australia between 2nd and 5th December 2007 on the first stop over of a nationwide sporting and cultural tour of New Zealand. Cavendish Road High School is a Queensland Accredited Centre of Excellence and has developed a very successful soccer program which aims to:

• provide students with the opportunity to develop their soccer potential towards the 'elite' level while maintaining their performance in academic studies.
• provide students with the quality coaching and feedback on their development in the school environment.

HOW DOES THEIR PROGRAM WORK?

The Soccer program is run with the approval and endorsement of Brisbane Southern Districts Junior Soccer Association and with the support of the Queensland Soccer Federation. They have a number of elite and developmental playing squads. To learn more about this innovative and exciting program visit the college website at: cavroadshs.eq.edu.au/

FDMC look forward to providing CRSHS with an enjoyable experience whilst in Taranaki and will play a game against them on Tuesday 4th December 2007 at Motoroa AFC (K.O. 1430 hours). There will be a social function, buffet and sausage sizzle after the game at the same venue.

All Welcome!!

Up and Running!!

Test Post - 23 November 2007