In order to highlight all the positive aspects of youth football and to celebrate skilful, expressive play, giveusbackourgame are asking anyone involved in children’s football to take part in a unique and fun event.

The second giveusbackourgame fun day will take place on 4th - 6th July 2008 at locations all around the UK and elsewhere.
We have already had many pledges of support from clubs, schools, leisure centres and councils.

WHY TAKE PART?

• Because you want a real voice for grassroots coaches and young players. A voice that is already strong and growing ever stronger by the day;
• Because you want to help send a strong message to youth football administrators, misguided coaches and unruly parents;
• Because you are concerned at the ‘win at all costs’ culture that is spreading across youth football;
• Because you are interested in a game format that will improve your players’ technical skills, their enjoyment and social skills;
• Because you are interested in a game format that is more child-centred, player centred and FUN;
• Because you are fed up with children mimicking the bad player behaviour they see on TV;
• Because you love football, beautiful football;

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

If you are planning to hold an event, no matter how small, please contact Paul Cooper for further information on giveusbackourgame@gmail.com

This might be some simple 4v4 games in the school playground at lunch time, an in house event at your club involving a couple of age groups or a number of like minded clubs coming together for a festival.

AGE GROUPS INVOLVED

Can be any age, although the main thrust of GUBOG is for the 5-10 age group.

FUN DAY FORMAT

• Players can be put into age categories or mixed age categories (U9s with U10s etc, but don’t have more than a two age group gap) the teams can be made up from each club or can be mixed, or even a mixture of the two. The key thing is that everyone plays and plays as many games as possible.
• Play 4v4 where possible, but to fit extra players in you may need to sometimes go to 5v5 or 6v6. 6v6 we feel is the maximum.
• This website will help you with your round robin. Who plays who on which pitch. http://www.teamopolis.com/tools/round-robin-generator.aspx

THE GAMES

• The 4v4 games will be on the new website from the beginning of March
• There will be special games for the 5 & 6 year olds, The Rolling Game and the Pairs Game.
• Your festival can just include the ‘Standard 4v4 Game’ or other games such as ‘The 4 Goal Game’ and Line Ball.’
• Have the option of ALL the children taking a penalty after the games that have goals

RULES

• Children referee themselves (although there needs to be a ‘Pitch Organiser’ besides each pitch.
• The standard games will be 10 minutes
• The games are 4v4 but if necessary 5v5 or 6v6
• Basic pitch 30x15 marked with marker cones. Goals can either be 9” high traffic cones or mini soccer goals.
• When the ball goes out of play the children can either kick or dribble the ball onto the pitch
• Corner kicks in the standard game are to be taken on the ground
• There are no keepers, unless you are playing 5v5 or 6v6
• After a goal the restart will be taken from the goal line by either kicking or dribbling the ball onto the pitch
• When one team is short of players try to fit in a player from a different team for that game.

FAIR PLAY

• All children should shake hands before and after each game
• Encourage children to help up an opponent they have fouled from the floor and shake hands

PEOPLE INVOLVED

• Event Organiser – everybody reports to this person. They are in charge of the whole event
• Contact person, for application forms etc
• Pitch Organiser – Responsible for the activities and set up of a pitch. Stays on the sideline and makes sure each game runs smoothly. May need to intervene when the children cannot sort out a problem. Also a time keeper for the games.
• Child Protection Officer- makes sure there are no problems on the day and also that there are enough CRB checked volunteers at the event
• First Aid – in charge of first aid at the event

MATERIALS

• The goals are either mini soccer goals or 9” traffic cones. (make sure that all goals are approved and are correctly anchored to the ground
• Marker cones to mark out the pitches. Pitches can share the same sideline
• Balls size 3 & 4 depending on the age group
• Whistle to start and finish the game (the only time it is blown)
• Bibs if required
• You may want extra cones for a parents area, so they are kept back a little distance from the pitches
• Large whiteboard with team and pitch layouts
• Pitch numbers

ORGANISATION

Before the event

• Have a plan for the event and copy all those involved
• Start early with preparations
• Be aware that there are enough volunteers for a relaxed and flexible event
• Get local organisations involved (clubs/schools/councils/local FA/press/sponsors – Posters and press releases will be available as downloads from the website in early March
• Appoint the positions for the event
• Have several meetings before the event with your events team (fail to prepare, prepare to fail!)
• Try to organise a venue with changing rooms/ toilets/ club house
• Be aware that the volunteers are CRB checked
• Be aware that you have enough equipment, cones, bibs goals etc
• Health & Safety (goal post checks, first aid kits etc
• If the teams/players are making a donation try and have a gift of a giveusbackourgame t-shirt or skills ball ( we are at present talking to sponsors about this)
• Make your event a special one, so that people come back every year and is recognised in the area as a special event for the children
• Insurance
• PA system if needed
• St Johns Ambulance if needed
• Car Park attendants if required

During the event

• Be on time
• Before the start explain the purpose of the day to the parents and children
• Every pitch has a first aid kit and a pitch organiser

After the event

• Give the children a small gift which reminds them of the day
• Thank you to all the people who helped with the event
• Have a debrief with the volunteers of what went well and want improvements can be made
• Write everything down so that it will be easier to organise the event again
• Inform giveusbackourgame of the event, how many children took part etc;

APPLICATION LETTER CONTENT

• Age groups
• Date time and venue
• NO tournament, round robin, let the children play
• Dead line
• Entrance fee if applicable to team/individual
• Slip to send back
• Include the GUBOG website address and philosophy (this will be sent to you)

FOLLOW UP LETTER

• Time they have to report
• Rules
• What they need to bring, lunch, warm clothing etc

 

Any enquiries you have please contact Paul Cooper on giveusbackourgame@gmail.com