Forres Area Soccer 7s

Football for boys and girls regardless of their ability.

First invitational tournament of season hailed success for Club

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Greenwards were crowned winners of the Margaret Cameron Tournament

Forres Area Soccer 7s hosted its first invitational tournament of the season last weekend and the event was hailed a success by all who took part.

The Margaret Cameron Tournament was attended by over 19 teams from across Moray – record entries since the contest began three years ago.

The event was organised by Soccer 7’s head coach and tournament and event organiser Kye Taylor.

He said: The tournament had a brilliant feel about it and everyone was buzzing. We have had some great feedback and we are delighted it was a success. I want to thank everyone who took part, not just the players themselves but the coaches and the parents who make the effort to encourage and support the teams. There was also great support from within Soccer 7s with the kitchen up and running including a BBQ and our own coaches ensuring that the pitches were set up and that the tournament ran smoothly.”

He added: “The Margaret Cameron Tournament is now in its third year and this year we attracted more teams than before – that in itself speaks volumes about how well the tournament is run and how much the children enjoy it. Next year we hope to make it even bigger and better. We also have other tournaments in the planning for this season.”

The plate was won by West End Primary School whilst Greenwards took home the cup.

Match reports

Group A

There were 11 goals in total with Greenwards scoring five of them and running away with the group on 10 points and Bishopmill 1 second on 8.

Group B

Applegrove after an opening defeat to St Gerardines went on to win all three of their other games including the local derby against Kinloss in which they won 2-0 claiming the bragging rights and eventually topping the group with 9 points second placed Elgin City Whites managing 5 points the same as Kinloss but going through via goal difference.

Group C

West End took home the plate in what was regarded as a “successful” tournament

Bishopmill 3 were too strong for the rest in this group sitting pretty at the top on 10 points with another second place being decided by one goal of a goal difference with Cawdor pipping West End City, City were also on the end of a 2–0 defeat to their partner team West End United.

Group D

This group had both FASS teams and Pilmuir in but the talk of the group was New Elgin 1 who stormed to first place scoring nine goals and only conceding one. Pilmuir had a tough time in the group failing to pick up any points but being the only ones to really test New Elgin 1 can hold their heads up high. The big derby between the two FASS sides didn’t live up to expectation and finished 0-0 leaving both teams tied on points and goal difference, which led to a play off to decide who went through to the main competition, the game went to penalties and FASS B won.

Cup Ties

On to the cup ties, the plate competition saw FASS A come to life reaching the final after taking care of West End Utd, Auldearn Utd and a strong St Gerardines.

The other finalists West End City although were drawn straight into the quarters had to get passed Kinloss and a very competitive Elgin City Blacks. The final was a well contested affair with both teams having their chances but failing to find the net and the match came to penalties after extra time, West End came out the victors but the talk of the shoot out was Robbie Grobellar Malone who made no fewer than three world class penalty saves, two from the top bin and one right in the corner in his first time playing in the big goals!

In the main competition Greenwards scraped past FASS B 1-0 and beat Applegrove on penalties to reach the final. Their opponents New Elgin had to overcome Elgin City Whites and Bishopmill to get there. How there were no goals in this final is unknown as there was chance after chance yet the game still ended with a penalty shoot out with Greenwards, last year’s plate winners going on to lift the main trophy.

 

Join our team – new board positions available

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Forres Area soccer 7s is looking for new people to join its board.

After a period of restructuring some exciting positions have become available and the club is now in a position to move forward and carry out some ‘recruitment’.

About the Club

Forres Area Soccer 7s is a large children’s football club which welcomes players of all abilities. Last season we had over 200 children playing football across three age groups. This year, we have expanded this age range and have created a new Senior 7s category too, meaning we now cater for young people up to the age of 16.

We are in the fortunate position that the club is financially sound and clearly it is our responsibility to ensure we stay this way.

We are a registered charity in Scotland and this brings various benefits to the club however we are also subject to the formal scrutiny that having a charitable status brings.

A challenge

The work involved in running a club of this size can be challenging and was proving difficult for the numbers we had sitting on the club board. Therefore, we have recently changed our constitution and this has allowed us to increase the size of the board at FASS. This has been carried out in the main,  for a couple of important reasons:

To reduce workloads  for existing board members

To bring in new enthusiastic people with ‘fresh’ ideas that will ultimately benefit the children/players at FASS.

To broaden our skills/experience base again improving the service we provide to our customers.

Roles available:

Customer Adviser

Match Day Secretary

Events and Tournament Co-ordinator

Press & Social Media Advisor

Sponsorship & Marketing Co-ordinator

Welfare Advsier

If you are keen to get involved email Nick Evans, the Club Secretary at nick@forres-soccer7s.co.uk by January 9 stating which roles are of interest. You will then be invited for a formal chat with some of the existing board members. We aim to have the new board positions in place for the Skills and Selection day on February 4.

Soccer 7s kicks off new season with new age range and times

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Graeme is excited that older players will now be able to get involved with the Club

Forres Area Soccer 7s will start the new season by extending the age range it caters for and changing the timings of the matches.

Following consultation with members, young people up to the age of 16 will now have the option to play for the Club.

The Club which meets every Sunday between February and October has also decided to hold its match days earlier in the day to give players and volunteers more free time in the afternoon.

Spread the word

Graeme Ferguson, Chairman of the Club said he was delighted the new season will begin with a larger age range and encouraged those with an interest in football to spread the word.

“It was very clear from the consultation that there is a desire for the Soccer 7s to provide football for a wider age range, so we have created a new ‘Senior 7s’ section for 13 to 16-year olds. We are still deciding on whether its feasible for this age range to play on a Sunday with the rest of the groupings or whether it will have its own separate match day, but we are delighted we have been able to make this decision and extend the age range for football in Forres. What we need now is for people to spread the word and let the young people out there know that there is something new with regards to football in Forres.”

The season for the Forres Area Soccer 7s will start back on February 4 with a skills and selection day and the matches will begin two weeks later, on February 18

With the addition of the new seniors grouping there are now fours levels the young players can progress through – Development 4s (4-6-years old), Super 5s (7-9-years old), Junior 7s (10-12-years old) and Senior 7s (13-16-years old).

Earlier match days

Speaking about the new timings Graeme explained: “We have spoken with both parents and volunteers and it has been decided that we will now meet earlier on Sundays. The previous timings meant that the football took up most of the day, which impacted heavily on family time, particularly for the coaches and other volunteers who arrive at Grant Park early to set up and stay behind to put all the kit away.”

He added: “We are also hoping the new times may attract more volunteers to the Club. We are always on the lookout for people to help set up, coach, work in the kitchen or just generally lend a hand. Running a club, which attracts over 200 children each week is no mean feat and it simply wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the dedication on the volunteers.”

The new times for the Club are: Development 4s 10-11:15am; Super 5s and Junior 7s 11.30-12.30pm. The Club is still considering when the new Senior 7s group should meet.

To register for the club click here.

Young player rewarded for German diary effort

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A Forres Soccer 7s player who visited Germany in the summer has been presented with a prize for writing the best diary about the week-long adventure.

Finlay Wallace pictured here with club Chairman Graeme Ferguson was presented with a Juventus football top for his efforts in recording what happened on the Vienenburg trip which was arranged by the Club.

The trip to Forres’ twin town was arranged after a mammoth fundraising drive which saw club members holding a series of events to raise the £8,000 needed for the visit.

Sixteen children went on the trip and played in competitive matches, visited the town’s school, attended some classes and will learned about the culture.

The trip was arranged after 20 children from Vienenburg visited Forres in 2015.

 

 

 

Soccer 7s player net over £800 for Club

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A group of young players have scored for Soccer 7s by netting over £800 for the Club.

Ten boys who play for Forres Area Soccer 7s took part in Buckie It’s A Knockout and this week they handed cheque to the Club for £819.50.

The youngsters who all attend Applegrove Primary School had to take on numerous challenges during the event and asked family and friends to sponsor them.

Great fun

Oscar Dawson who took part said: “It was great fun and all my friends were doing it so I thought I would get involved too. There were lots of different races, and a lot of it involved teamwork.”

Victor Stoczkowski added: “It was good to raise the money for Soccer 7s. We all play for the Club. My favourite event on the day was having to play giant table football, but we were the players in the table football.”

Mum Lindsay Black helped to get the youngsters involved. She said: “This is the first year that you have been able to pick your own charity at the It’s A Knockout event. My son Jake wanted to take part so we got a team together and we realised that they all had Soccer 7s in common so it made sense to raise the money for that.”

Teamwork

Graeme Ferguson, chairman of the Club which meets every Sunday between February and October said he was impressed with the boys: “What these boys have done has encompassed just what soccer 7s is about, teamwork and having fun. We are blown away with the amount of money they have raised and the hard work they have put in and we offer them and everyone who sponsored them a huge thank you.”

The children who took part in the event were: Oscar Dawson, Victor Stoczkowski, Angus Mackintosh, Leon Morrison, Jake Nicoll, Davie Laurence, Josh Hepple, Fraser Martin, Leo Brailsford and Brodie Finlayson.

Next season

Registration for the 2018 season of Forres Area Soccer 7s is now open.

Youngsters aged between 4-12 years old can play for the Club which next year will be celebrating its 25th birthday.

Forres Area Soccer 7s is open to girls and boys of all abilities.

There are three levels the children can progress through – Development 4s, Super 5s and Soccer 7s.

Prices for the 2018 are: Development 4s £30 and Super 5s and Soccer 7s £50.

 

Registration now open for 2018 season

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BUDDING football stars are being encouraged to sign up for the 2018 season of Forres Area Soccer 7s.

Youngsters aged between 4-12 years old can now register to join the Club with the season kicking off next February.

2018 will be a big year for the Club which will be celebrating its 25th birthday and to mark the occasion, we have decided to give away 25 free places.

The season for the Forres Area Soccer 7s runs from February to the first weekend of October and is open to girls and boys of all abilities.

Age range

There are three levels the children can progress through – Development 4s (4-6 years old), Super 5s (7-9 years old) and Soccer 7s (10-12 years old) although we are consulting with our current members to see if there is a demand to increase the age range.

Graeme Ferguson, the new chairman of the Club said it was going to be an exciting year: “Although the 2017 season has only just finished, the board members are working behind the scenes to ensure that 2018 is a year to remember. We are going into our 25th year and have lots of activities and ways to celebrate this achievement planned.

“We want to encourage our 2017 players to re-register, but it would also be great to see new faces along too. Soccer 7s is all about having fun and we are open to boys and girls regardless of their ability. We meet weekly and the youngsters play for one team sponsored by a local business for the whole season. There is also the opportunity to attend a training session through the week too.”

Celebrating 25 years

Graeme Ferguson is taking the club into its 25th year

Speaking of the 25th year, Graeme added: “One of the ways we plan to mark the occasion is by giving away 25 free places. We need people to register as normal, and when registration is suspended in February we will draw 25 names out of hat and will reimburse the lucky winners. It is a small gesture, but one that will mean something to 25 families.”

Forres Area Soccer 7s meet every Sunday between February and October at Grant Park and the Club is run purely by volunteers as Graeme explained: “For 25 years, this Club has been run on the good will of our volunteers and this year will be no different. However, the Club is growing and to meet that demand we are always on the lookout for more people who want to get involved. We are appealing for people to come forward and there is particular need for coaches. We don’t need the volunteers to have any experience of football, just to be passionate and be able to encourage our young players to get involved and enjoy themselves.”

Prices for the 2018 are: Development 4s £30 and Super 5s and Soccer 7s £50.

Click here to register.

Current Vacancy – Match & Fixture Secretary

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We are looking for someone to join the board as our Match & Fixture Secretary. If you are interested see below job description and then email shaun@forres-soccer7s.co.uk to apply

 

MATCH & FIXTURE SECRETARY

Job Title:                   Match & Fixture Secretary

Responsible to:         Club Secretary

Skills and Attributes Required:

  • Enthusiasm
  • Well organised
  • Good at delegation
  • Prepared to make a regular time commitment
  • Confidence
  • Creative
  • Good communication skills

 

Main Duties:

 

  1. To co-ordinate and organise a season fixtures for all sections
  2. To co-ordinate and organise any event fixtures
  3. Prepare and upload weekly match reports to Website, Social Media and Press
  4. Liaise with Club photographer for weekly photos

Soccer 7s Under Par’essure

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Club Members Tommy Smith, Paul Lynch, Clarke Roberts and Mark Hay are raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support by taking part in the Longest Day Golf Challenge.

 

The team need to play 72 holes ( 4 Courses) within 24 hours. They will be playing at Moray Old and New Course at Moray Golf Club, Lossiemouth, Narin Dunbar Golf Club and finishing at Forres Golf Club and will be travelling over 50 miles in between courses.

You can help them by donating through the teams JustGiving page by clicking here.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

 

About Macmillian Cancer Support

We know cancer can affect everything – your work, your relationships, your finances. And by donating today, you’ll be helping us make sure we can continue to provide all our essential services. So that when someone’s facing a difficult time, we can help them start to feel more in control again.

Charity Registration No. 261017

Find out more about Macmillan fundraising

 

Vienenburg Tour Team announced….

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We have had a really hard time as a board going through all the applications from players to go to Vienenburg with the club.

We would like to thank everyone and hope those who have missed out aren’t too disappointed.

The teams are as follows

Super 5s Team

James Wilson
Lewis Smith
Connor Finlayson
Olivia Roberts
Ethan Lynch
Kai Prophet
Ben Ross

Soccer 7s Team

Donald Johnstone
Tommy Foster
Max Theman
Ashton Bayliss
Neo Hatch
Louie Goodall
Nico Giscombe
Jake Farquhar
Finlay Wallace

Club Photographer deal snapped up

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We are really pleased to announce that the club has an official club20161130_181317 photographer to take photos at events and games during the season

Owen Windsor came forward toward the end of last season and said he would love to take photos for the club as his Mum Julie had been told we needed a photographer.

Owen is 12 and in S1 studying at the Forres Academy. Owen has been taking photos since he was 8 when he got an iPod for Christmas. He enjoys messing about taking photos of his beloved dog.

Chairman Shaun Moat said ” Having Owen as a member of the clubs volunteers is a real asset to the club and its great to see youngsters giving up their time to help us. Taking photos takes a real talent and when your running around organising games and events, photos sometimes get forgotten. Owen has been really good  at capturing the end of season events, more recently our visits to Forres Mechanics and we look forward to see more of Owens photos”