The main goal for our managers is to make sure that all the kids are playing at the correct level for their ability so that they can progress to being the best footballers that they can be, and so they are enjoying their football without getting frustrated for either being not strong enough or being too strong for the team they are on.

All kids develop at different rates and over the years we have seen kids who at U8 & U9 were maybe a bit behind those around them but by U12 or U13 were the strongest in the club for their age and vice versa. Dropping to a lower team can mean that a child gets a chance to build their confidence as they have more time with the ball at their feet in a slightly slower paced environment helping them to develop their skills to make the step back up a level in the future. Moving to a higher level can be the rewarding challenge a player has been looking for to test their skills in a faster paced environment. No players “belong” to any one team or managers/coaches, they are the clubs players and we endeavour to place players in teams that both help the player to develop and the team to progress.

The way the squad sizes work is dictated by the playing formats set out by the FAI, at U8 & 9 it it two games of 5-a-side that run at the same time so ideal squad size is 12-14 players. At U10 & U11, it’s one 7-a-side game so ideal squad size is 10-12 players. U12 is one 9-a-side game with ideal squad size of 12-13 players. Then U13 to U18 is one 11-a-side game with an ideal squad number of 16-18 players.

The transition from U9’s to U10’s is generally the trickiest as squads have to decrease but as you can see within 3 years the squads increase again meaning that those who may have moved down a level are likely to move back up again having had a few years of building their confidence and skill levels.

On the days of the open training session, players will be moved from group to group within their age group in order for our managers/coaches to see them in differing playing situations. Squads are not picked on the day and will not be finalised until after the open training sessions are completed for all age groups with managers/coaches having to submit their squads to the club by the 18th July.

There will be age coordinators assigned to each age group, the role of the coordinator is to assist managers, within their age group, in keeping track of who has attended trials so all kids are given a spot on a team when teams are finalised. They will also record details of new comers. These lists will then assist managers in the selection process. They will make sure that each manager communicates to each player/parent in a timely manner the decisions that have been made with regards to their placement on a team. They will mediate in conversations between managers to ensure the process runs smoothly and that all teams are finalised as per the deadline date. The coordinators will also be a point of contact for parents within each age group should they have any questions or queries.

Please note the coordinator at your age group:

U8-13 Girls: Karl Mohan
Under 8: Dave Byrne
Under 9: Albert Stevens
Under 10: Dan Kiely
Under 11: Alex Fusco
Under 12: Niall Benson
Under 13: Ciaran O'Connor
Under 14: Tony Salmon
Under 15: Niall Wrafter
Under 16: Emer Sheridan
Under 18: Chris gallagher

All players and managers/coaches must attend the Open Training Sessions, if you can’t make it to either or both sessions please email us on secretary@ardmorerovers.com to let us know. We look forward to seeing you all over the two weeks.

Regards,
Ardmore Rovers Exec Committee