Development Plan

Wareham Rangers Football Development Plan

Wareham Rangers Junior Section 2006

SECTION A: Background: Past and Present
Wareham Rangers Football Club has been in operation since 1896, playing senior 11 -A- side football in the local/county area. The junior section of the club started in the 1979-80 season which catered for players from the age of 9 to 16.

In 2001 the club merged with a local mini-football team known as the Springfield Mini Football Club, which increased the number of teams in the junior section from 5 to 9 as well as increasing the spread of ages from 6 to 16 years of age. The junior section has now over 160 playing members across 12 registered teams as well as a host of children playing in the friendly under 7 league.

The first girl football team was established in the club in the 2003-2004 season, the club now has two girls’ teams, playing in both the under 12 & under 14 Dorset County Leagues.

The Club received the Standard Charter award in 2001 and the County’s Fair Play Award in 2002.

In addition to the players, the Club offers opportunities for volunteers to coach, manage, co-ordinate visits home/away as well as referee and officiate team games at all age levels. Currently there are over 50 adults who are actively involved in running the club.

Over the years Wareham Rangers junior section has established close working links with a number of schools in the area, the strongest links being with Wareham and Sandford middle schools.

Other schools that the club has links with are Stoborough/Sandford first schools, these are two way, in the fact that the Club offers school football coaching, in and out of school, in return the Club is able to take advantage of using their outdoor facilities to train on.

The club has been active in helping to support the implementation of floodlights for the “training” area at Sandford school and are currently supporting Wareham Middle school project to install a floodlight “all weather” pitch.

Over the last twenty six years the Wareham junior section have maintained close relationships with the French town of Conches, where Wareham teams have played in a European Festival of Football every May, as well as Wareham FC hosting return visits from teams from the twinned town.

SECTION C: Going forward with football into the 21st Century: Future Vision
The main focus of the Wareham Rangers Football Club in the months and years ahead is to provide football for a wider range of people living in and around the town of Wareham, particularly in the area of having a designated central area for both training and playing facilities, which can be used all year round.

As the club draws the vast majority of its members from the local community, it is keen to provide a local point for club members where meetings and presentations can be held. Also as the club grows and becomes more successful there is a requirement to display in a central location, trophies won by individuals and teams, as well as a facility to show the history and past community spirit that the club has grown from.

The above aims are just some areas for the club to grow and to establish itself within the heart of the Wareham community. These and other aims are wide-ranging as well as ambitious and can be summarised below:-

· Investigate schemes whereby a dedicated clubhouse can be provided to meet the needs of the club for meetings, presentations, coaching of managers/officials & social gatherings.

· Strengthen its links with all schools in the area, so as to encourage more girls to join the club and take part in football activities.

· Development and improvement of existing training facilities, particularly with regard to all weather/floodlit facilities, working together on this project with Wareham Middle School.

· Creation of a “celebration programme” and “celebration football tournament” in order to promote the club more within the local community.

· Strengthen the links with Wareham Seniors so as a structure is in place for youth members to progress to a higher level of football.

The Club management committee have all been involved with the club for a number of years and are all committed along with the adult volunteers to ensure that mini and youth football is played in Wareham at the best possible facilities. Also to ensure that the best training can be offered in such a manner that the children who take part, at whatever age, enjoy their football and continue with the game after they leave the club. The belief within the club is that sustaining the Charter Standard status, will help reinforce commitment by all involved, so that in the long term children who live in and around Wareham can learn to play and enjoy football with their local community.

SECTION B: WAREHAM FC – DEVELOPMENT PLAN

1) Increase the number of girls teams in the club from two to three teams

1. Commence discussions with local authorities.
2. Progress in the light of the above discussions with the Town Council.

1. Contact all schools in the Wareham area so as to inform and invite girls to the club.
2. Ensure three coaches and managers are aligned to the teams.
3. Start coaching of the girl’s team.

Sub Committee led by
Alan White

1. Investigate possible options with local
authorities, schools and town council.

Sub Committee led by
Andy Sonner

4) Training Facilities

1. Improve and centralise the clubs training facilities.
2. Investigate and pursue options for all weather/floodlit training areas with Wareham Middle School.

Sub Committee led by
Schools Liason Officer
Ged Doherty

1. Create a special Wareham FC programme to celebrate over 100 years of football in the town.
2. Produce articles on the club history and their plans for the future.

Sub Committee led by
David Shrubsole

6) Improve Links with adult
football clubs

1. Set up a meeting with Wareham seniors to share and agree development plan.

Junior Chairperson
Roy Harris

7) Re-Establish mini-creche for
Children under the age of six
(reception and year 1)

1. Discuss with parents of Saturday club section.
2. Make use of exhibiting equipment.
3. Set up rules for ‘’self management’’ creche with parents/guardians.

Saturday Club
Co-Ordinator

8) Maintain standard charter
of club

1. Create club register for all
managers/coaches competencies.
2. Publicise criteria for standard to all club members.

9) Develop the learning and
playing skills of football for
children who have disabilities

1. Set up meeting with county development officer (Liz Pill) to seek guidance and direction.
2. Liaise with schools in the area to ensure that the club offers this facility.

Chairperson/Secretary

Schools Liaison Officer

10) Development on young coaches and referees
(ages 14 to 16)

1. Arrange course with Dorset FA Development.
2. Invite trained coaches to training sessions so as to train the coaches.

Under 15 team manager.
Saturday club
co-ordinator