Surrey County Association of the BTBA         SEPT ‘08

Dear YBC Chairperson,

The Surrey Area Association committee are trying to ensure as many people as possible are kept informed of County issues. We have taken the step of issuing this newsletter which hopefully if we get good feedback could become a regular issue and will have a positive effect on bringing news of interest to all the Surrey YBC’s and the junior players that are registered with them.

We consider this is the best way to pass information and the best medium possible as all junior players will have the opportunity to know when Surrey events are and who to get information from, primarily the annual Area trials for the various county teams and the Area Championship dates.

We have had the reports, albeit a little late due to not have an area committee meeting since the events, for the girls and boys junior County Championships of which your YBC may or may not had individuals involved in.

The event provided a mixture of fortune with the boys placing third, unfortunately the girls not doing so well finishing well out of the medal placing. But the area would like to say thank you to all that took part and hope the experience will encourage them to take part in the trails again next year.

The girl’s manager, Bryan Buller, has decided that he will not continue as girl’s county manager or committee member. Bryan managed the Under 16’s and Under 18’s this season. The area association thank Bryan for his efforts.

The reports from each manager (Lee Crosby managed the boys team) noted that there were many good points, but one or two negatives from the two events covered (under 16 and Under18) so we as a committee have decided to include “warts and all” in this newsletter.

Issues raised include

• Teamwork. It was felt that some squads of players were excellent at teamwork and playing as a team, but other teams and individuals were sadly lacking in their commitment to the team and to supporting other team members, and the manager, which ultimately effects team spirit within the squad making it difficult for team managers to maintain disciple and to motivate all players.
• Coaching. It was also noted in the reports that team managers at times felt undermined by some parents. Whether it by way of giving instruction to their own or other players and/or making remarks about other player’s abilities, both are unhelpful and destroys confidence in players and managers who are trying to do the best they can. Each player should be respected as a county player in their own right having completed the trials and finishing in a county squad position and ultimately a County final. The team managers are the Counties official on the day and have a tough enough job as it is without outside influences and distractions. If anyone has a need to remark or help during play then the correct process is via the team manager.

Dates that your junior members need to be aware of are:

2008-2009 Surrey County Qualifying trails for Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 are to be held at AMF Purley on the week end of 3^rd and 4^th January 2009. These are the only trials that will be held for the county team selection for this season. Entry forms are available and if a particular date is required then entry form AND full entry fees must be enclosed to the squadding manager indicated on the entry form.

If there is enough response and feedback from this newsletter then the Area Association will continue to issue on an ad hoc basic, usually announcing County events and results. This way the old age problem of “I didn’t know it was on” can be a thing of the past.

The committee request you make this information available to all players and parents within your club through whatever way you see fit.

Yours

Surrey Area Association Committee