Even hardened football pros admit that pre-season training is always tough, and after a series of daily sessions a group of Flintshire youngsters would agree.
The 15 teenagers were understandably tired but also justifiably proud of their achievement, especially as for some of them it was a novel experience. The girls and boys aged 10 - 17 from across the county took part in the week-long football coaching programme at Mold Alex's ground .
It was organised by Community Justice Intervention Wales (CJIW) in partnership with the North Wales Probation Area and Flintshire Youth Justice Service.
For the past two years the sessions have built up to a tournament involving squads from other North Wales regions but this time it was confined to young people from Flintshire. That did not detract from the enjoyment they derived from the four-hour daily sessions, during which they were taught skills, put through fitness routines and played matches amongst themselves.
The programme was run by the Liverpool-based Xtra Time Soccer, whose coaches are themselves ex-professional players. Alex Gray, development officer for CJIW in Flintshire, who organised the event, said he was very pleased with the way it had gone and with the response and attitude of the youngsters, some of who displayed real talent.
Among them was 16-year-old Robert Ashbrook, 16, from Garden City, who has played for various local sides in the past and is now looking to join a club for the coming season. "It's been really good," he said. "If I hadn't been here I'd have been in bed every day."
Most of the teenagers are using the course as part of their Duke of Edinburgh bronze award programme. Kelly Bayliss, 18, from Pentre Halkyn, gained her bronze award last year after competing in the inter-region tournament in Llandudno, and she is now working towards her silver award. She was one of three girls involved in the Mold sessions, giving as good as she got in the closing five-a-side competitions. “It's been hard work but I've really enjoyed it and I'd like to find a women's team around here to play for," she said.
Parked alongside the pitch all week was the Night Dragon bus run by the Flintshire Young Person's Drug and Alcohol Team. With its DJ decks and sophisticated hi-fi equipment it was a popular attraction for the youngsters and a channel for team members to offer advice about the dangers of substance abuse in an informal way. "It's gone really well and we've had a very good response," said team worker Zoe Williams.
Everyone who took part was presented with a trophy by former Rhyl player Dave Cameron, who is currently player-manager of Bradford Park Avenue. As he watched the youngsters clearly enjoying themselves in such a healthy
pursuit he said: "It's great to see because I come from a similar background and I wish I had had something like this to keep me occupied."
Carol Moore, Chief Officer of the North Wales Probation Area, said, “The value of initiatives like this is providing the opportunity for young people to really test out their skills and abilities. It’s giving them an opportunity to move forward in terms of their own learning and experiences and thinking about working as a team and working collectively. Not only that, but they can also think about future issues such as coaching opportunities and stuff like that. It’s not just about playing football, it’s about all the other skills associated with being a part of a team. This is a very constructive initiative and its just fantastic the commitment we’re seeing from the organisations and people involved.”
