Secretary's Report 2009/10
I BEGIN BY thanking the Chairman for his efforts in the running of BDSFA once again this year. Many others have also played a vital role, particularly fellow committee members, Graeme Farquhar and Peter Duggins.
Thanks must also go to the individuals who have contributed to this year’s program of games at each school. Without their commitment, time and energy, hundreds of pupils would be deprived of the experience of competitive sport and the great fun involved of playing/training with their schoolmates.
This year has posed some difficult problems, most notably that of financing. As businesses make cutbacks, funding for two of the 11-a-side competitions was withdrawn, albeit reluctantly, by the Barking & Dagenham Post. However, this has enabled a revamp of the format that should actually allow more competitive football to be played.
In addition, the money reserves have been running on empty for some time now, but the award of £3500 from the East London Community Foundation will go a considerable way towards easing some of the restrictions that were to be placed on borough football, allowing us to save for the uncertainties of the future.
During the forthcoming season, BDSFA will be affiliated to London Schools’ FA, Essex Schools’ FA and English Schools’ FA.
Individual schools are welcome to participate in their competitions, including The Parish Cup (11-a-side), The Jim Smith Memorial Trophy, Sydney Black Cup (boys’ 7-a-side), R.A. Bailey Cup (Boys 5-a-side), Whitby Cup (Girls’ 7-a-side) and Wyn Bailey Cup (Girls 5-a-side). Entries should be submitted to the appropriate SFAs (forms for this season already distributed to schools).
BDSFA competitions for this season will be:
- Barking and Dagenham Post Cup & Trophy (11-a-side, all schools)
- Evans-Moore Cup (7-a-side, all schools, boys only)
- Evans-Moore Plate (7-a-side, B team players only, no Academy, District or players who took part in the Evans-Moore Cup)
- Monteagle Shield (6-a-side, all schools, girls only)
- Girls’ League (7-a-side, all schools, girls only)
Congratulations to the following schools who enjoyed success representing the Borough in other competitions;
- St Margaret’s – Boys’ 7-a-side County Runners-up (Inner London)
- Hunters Hall – Boys’ 7-a-side County Finalists (Inner London)
- Godwin - Essex County Girls’ 7-a-side Winners (Inner London)
- St Joseph’s (Dag)– Essex County Girls’ 7-a-sides Runners-up(Inner London)
- Barking & Dagenham SFA also supplied a team to represent the borough in London Heathrow Youth
Chris Wilding
BDSFA Secretary
16/10/09
