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Little League Football Officers' Manual

14B TRIALS

Refer to

INTRODUCTION
A new League will need to arrange teams according to the numbers and ages of players available.  See Section 14A for details.  Once established, Leagues normally hold trials each year to decide which players will replace the oldest ones who are ‘retiring’.  The opportunity thus arises to attract new children (and parents) into the League.  The method described in Sections 14B and 15 have been found over many years to be the fairest way of choosing players into a team, so that teams are as evenly balanced as possible.

  

Section 14A

PROCEDURE
Dates
It is usual to have four trials normally on consecutive Saturday mornings after the end of the season. Players are normally required to attend at least two of the four trials to be eligible for selection. Ensure that your Groundsman and Local Authority/owner of the ground are informed of your trial dates.

Leagues with several sections may wish to organise trials in their secondary sections as part of their normal match day routine. This is because they may have too many players for the conventional trial process to be efficient.

Printing
Print trials application forms (specimen available on request) and information sheets (specimen attached) and issue to potential trialists.
Print bold numbers to be worn by trialists.

Publicity
New Leagues will have to work hard to promote their trials. Leaflet drops, posters displayed throughout the area plus advertising in the local press should be undertaken.
Existing Leagues will also be able to promote their trials by using current players to distribute application forms to their friends.

Forms / Lists
Check each applicant is eligible. They should reside within your boundaries and fulfil the age qualifications. All application forms must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Issue numbers to each trialist and produce a trials information list for team managers (specimen available on request).

TRIALS
Check-In
Ensure every trialist is registered on the morning of each trial. Spare numbers / application forms should be available for new trialists who arrive on the morning of the trial. A large supply of safety pins (for the numbers) will be required.
Trialists should then be organised into groups of the same age and informal referees appointed to control each game.

Games
Depending on the number of trialists, you may need to organise several games. Each game should be contested by children of roughly the same age. No pitch markings are necessary and cones may be used for goals. Each trial game should last long enough for every team manager to spend sufficient time evaluating all the players.

Trials 2,3 & 4
Updated trials information lists for team managers should be distributed before each trial.
After the second trial, letters should be sent to all non-attendees reminding them of the necessity to attend the final two trials. At the end of the final trial, explain to each trialist that they will be sent a letter within a few days / weeks.

  

 
 
 EXAMPLE
 
 

EAST CHEAM LITTLE LEAGUE FOOTBALL - 2000 TRIALS
INFORMATION SHEET

A trials application form is attached for your child who will be in school year 6, 7 or 8 next September.

Please complete the shaded parts and return it immediately please to:
Griselda Pew, 23c Railway Cuttings, East Cheam, Surrey SM3 2ZZ
To save expense, we will not send any acknowledgement.

DATES     Saturdays 10th June, 17th June, 24th June and 1st July 2000
PLACE   Cheam Recreation Ground, Tudor Close, Cheam. Note that we do not use our pitches for the trials - an area will be coned off.

TIMES    9.30 am prompt on Saturdays

You must come to at least two of the four trials - don't leave it to the last two sessions - it may not be convenient. If there is a good reason for not attending at least two trials, parents should send a note to the address below. Children who do not attend two trials without good reason will not be eligible for selection.

Bring or wear football boots, shin pads (compulsory), shorts and a shirt (T shirts are fine). The first week you come, you will be given a number which you must remember to bring for the other weeks.

After the last trial boys/girls are selected for respective League teams. Those children who do not gain a place in one of these teams are still given the opportunity to play in well-organised teams who also play each Saturday morning.

You will receive a letter to tell you the result of the trials by the end of July.

Due to the number of children trying for a place, we cannot give any guarantee that your child will be selected. However, it is true to say that the older he/she is, the better his/her chances. Many boys/girls are promoted during the season to replace boys/girls who become regular Saturday school team players.

Other Questions? If you have any queries, please contact:

Griselda Pew, 23c Railway Cuttings, East Cheam, Surrey SM3 2ZZ (020 8555 5000)

Keep this for reference
 
 
 
 
 

EAST CHEAM LITTLE LEAGUE FOOTBALL
WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW

East Cheam Little League Football is just one amongst dozens of Little Leagues up and down the country. We started in 1974 with the intention of providing well-organised football for boys aged up to 12. We opened with six teams, run on rather different lines from the "usual" football clubs. Since then, we have grown, with many waiting to get into a team. We can also now provide football for girls each week. However, with the new restrictions placed on us by the FA whereby NO child under the age of 10 can play in an eleven-a-side game, we provide mini soccer for those children under this age limit.

Six of our teams, known as the Premier League, are picked on merit, but have a set mixture of ages in each team. With this arrangement, the younger children will learn faster than by playing with children solely of their own age. Each team has two Managers who look after the team, provide training and encourage the parents to become involved in the development of their son/daughter.

We play on pitches which are scaled down to fit the physical size and strength of children this age. All games are 'at home' - there is no travelling every other week.

More importantly, we try to teach the players the right outlook - to encourage self-discipline, team spirit and sportsmanship. Deliberate fouls are a rarity in Little League Football, and 'advice' to the Referee is not welcomed. Parents are expected to back us up in this, to refrain from criticism themselves, but to cheer and give their children every encouragement. Despite being part of a large organisation, we are also a local community; the kids (and parents) soon develop friendships not just within the team, but with all the children (and parents) at the ground.

Everything at East Cheam is run by the parents or other keen volunteers, all of whom have been checked for suitability, for the benefit of the children. None of the people involved is paid - not even the referees. We spend a considerable amount of money a year on the teams which obviously has to be paid for. Parents are therefore encouraged to support the fund raising ventures, to become Members of East Cheam Little League Football at a nominal fee, and to lend a hand with the 101 tasks that need to be done to make East Cheam Little League Football a successful club for their children.

After the trials, when your child is sent a letter to tell him/her how they got on, there will also be enclosed a sheet entitled "Advice to Parents". Please read it - for their sake.

We are particularly grateful to our Sponsors, the London Borough of East Cheam and our army of volunteers for their constant support.