Copthorne
Youth
“We have very close links with Copthorne Youth
FC and share the same ground with them. The
youth players provide a pipeline of vital
new players each season who want to
make the transition from youth to
adult football. Providing this link
for the players of all ages is vital
in the growing development and
stability of the club.
We are a village club and the
majority of the players within the
team have grown up in the village
and surrounding area, playing
for Copthorne Youth and made
the natural transition into adult
football. Without the development of
youth players into the adult sides you
are at risk of player shortages. This has
been evident over the years across all leagues
as clubs have reduced the number of teams or
in the worst case been forced to fold, not
a palatable situation anyone wishes to
face.”
Integration
“To introduce the younger
players into the senior game we
start by inviting them along to
our training sessions, these are
once a week in winter and twice
as the clock change and continues
during the summer. This enable
both the youth and senior players
to integrate, exchange advice and
encourage the youth players to look to
senior football.
At the same time it affords our managers the
opportunity to observe and review options
as to ability. We offer places within the
3rd team for the introduction of senior
football. Within the 3rd team there
are some established senior players
who can then act as mentors
on pitch during the game. The
manager can also then review
development and skills which are
reported to the other managers.
This then opens the door to
progression to the higher level
teams within the club as we do
encourage aspiration at all levels.”
Community
“We would strongly consider our club to
be a community club. With both the Youth and Adult
clubs being FA Charter Standard Club’s, it is intended to
have both the Senior and Youth officially recognised as a
‘Community Clubs’.”
Challenges
“Currently the most challenging aspect within
the club at this time is the future progression
through the SCFL leagues. The challenge
we face as a club is the ground grading
status as set by the FA. As a division
two club within the SCFL our ground
has to meet STEP 7 standards,
which it does. To progress beyond
division two we would need to
meet STEP 6 standards, which
involves a number of significant
ground developments.
As we currently play on a
King Georges Field we are not in a
position to carry out the additional
requirements for STEP 6 as there
are strict guidelines for planning and
development on ‘King George’ fields.
We are therefore looking at possible ground
share opportunities or the development of a new
site. As you will appreciate this involves
a need for some significant funding/
investment and the time of personnel
within the club. That said these are
the challenges faced by many clubs
up and down the country.
We are fortunate to have
very supportive sponsors of the
club, without whose continued
support we would not be able to
deliver on our planned future. So I
would like to take this opportunity
as Chairman to personally thank
all our sponsors for their continued
support, it is very much appreciated
by the club and myself.”
Ambitions
“We have ambitions as most clubs do
and subject to funding, investment,
commitment and other actions. Over
the next five years we would like
to see a ground to meet STEP 6
regulations, progress to Division 1
and the Premiership of SCFL, our
Championship side promoted to
the Premiership of Mid Sussex
League (Currently not possible
as both SCFL Division 2 and
Premiership Mid Susses are STEP
7 leagues), two teams in SCFL –
1st and 2nd team and the continued
development of the third team with
youth player integration.
We will also continue to work towards
Community Club status, continued and enhanced
sponsorship, a larger management team to help with the
clubs development and ensure we maintain our profile
and presence within both leagues.”
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