After running teams at U-12, U-14 and U-15 last season, this time we are able to enter teams at U-12, U-14 and U-16, which has been our goal for the last two years.

With the two-year age bands I think a girls' setup with established U-12, U-14 and U-16 teams is a great environment for a player to develop. Each season our girls will get the chance to play with different players, as each season some will go up to the next age band, some will stay in the same team and some will come up to the team from the team below.

This setup also means that we only have to filter new players into the U-12s every season and they will then work their way up through the ages. We may from time to time add new players in to the older teams but our current system and numbers mean we don’t have to if we don’t want to, which takes the pressure off player recruitment. Personally, I prefer for a player to start at U-12s anyways, as it gives you six years to work with that player and see their development.

On top of this, we have a development team of U-11s this season, who will play festival football organised by the local county FA. This team will allow us to get girls in to the club setup at an even younger age and give them a great season or two of learning before they join the U-12s.

At the moment it is the part of the season I hate the most, as it’s all about paperwork which, every year only seems to increase. So I for one can’t wait for the season to start, as although coaching four teams keeps me busy, I would rather be out there coaching than doing paperwork any day of the week.

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