Rayne Youth FC...

 

 

Rayne Youth Football Club was founded in 1999 by Kevin Withams and the late Perry Lees. 

 

The whole intent of the founders was that children of all abilities and ages were given the opportunity to play football, this being the ethos that the Committee has endeavoured to carry forward to this day.

 

The early years saw a large number of children from mixed age groups train and play at Rayne Village Playing Fields and slowly the Club expanded until in 2005/2006 the Club had five teams playing: Under 8s (The Robins), two Under 9s (The Rooks and The Ravens), an U17s team and an U14s Girls team.

 

During the years the Club Committee had many achievements:

 

• 2003 – Raised over £500 for the Club of which £250 was donated towards the London Chest Hospital
• 2004 – Raised over £600 for the Club of which £300 was donated towards the London Chest Hospital
• 2005 – Raised over £300 for the Club from a Jumble Sale
• 2005 – Raised over £500 for Breast Cancer Awareness Day
• 2005 – Secured a Precept grant from Rayne Parish Council for £1,250 to fund new kits and equipment.

 

The 2006/2007 season saw a great change in the Club with the existing Committee deciding to stand down, allowing a new Committee to be formed in January 2007.

 

The new Committee wanted to concentrate on expanding the Club, especially at the lower age groups, as by this time there were only two teams playing in the U9 & U10 age groups, the Girls team having formed their own Club.

 

The new Committee held an Open Training day in a bid to gain new members.  This Open Day was such a success, not only did it raise over £250 for Club funds but also brought in enough players to start the 2007/08 season with five teams in the U7, U9, U10, U11 and U14 age groups.  During the 07/08 season the Club has welcomed an increasing number of U6 players trained by the Youth Development Manager ready for an U7s team for the 2008/09 season.

 

The new Committee wanted to raise funds for the Club knowing that by expanding, greater costs would be incurred.  To this end they set about a number projects aimed not only at raising funds but also at having fun:

 

• April 2007 – Open Training Day – raising £250
• May 2007 – Sponsored Bike Ride – raising £800
• July 2007 – Stall at the Village Fete – raising £300

 

These three events were so successful they are to be repeated in 2008 along with:

 

• March 2008 – Greyhound Racing @ Romford Stadium

 

The expansion of the Club brought other problems; the existing playing fields were not big enough to allow for an U11/12/13 size pitch.  After discussions with the Parish Council and various land owners, an agreement of a short term lease was agreed for part of Oak Meadow.  In October 2007 the process of turning a field that had been used for livestock for over 50 years into a football pitch started.  Rayne Youth Football Club would like to express its appreciation for the help from Rayne Cricket Club who have assisted in the work on the new pitches. 

 

In recent months the Club has purchased maintenance equipment ready for the “spring push” to get the new pitches ready.   The Club purchased a “spiker” to aid the drainage of the ground and encourage root growth with the help of one of its sponsors, King & Co .  To add to this the Churcher family on Rayne Road donated their old Ride On Mower to the Club, which is currently undergoing maintenance work.

 

One of the Club’s goals for 2008 is to achieve The FA’s Charted Standard.  This is a best practice guide that sets standards of coaching, administration and child protection for all clubs outside the Football League and Premier League.  As a benchmark for quality, it will improve the playing experience for all.  The Club is well on the way to achieving this; the last action needed is for all managers/coaches to be qualified to the FA coaching level 1 standard.  This hopefully will happen when eight managers/coaches attend a 4 day course at the end of May.

 

The Committee is confident that the Club will continue to grow for years to come with the improved facilities and continued support of volunteers, parents, players and the various Rayne Village groups.

 

 

This is an extract from an enquiry email sent to the football club on the new Website:

 

‘Many thanks and congratulations on a great web site, and wonderful job you people do to help kids play sport.  I remember playing football as a Kid for a local team, and the enjoyment, and sense of friendship and belonging this brings, and what people behind the set do, free of charge to make this happen’.