Kent County Representative Team U16 - News
I thought it appropriate to pass on some details to you all about the County Representative set up and how it fits into the world of Representative football. Most of you will know that I am priveledged to Manage both the Under 16 and Under 18 teams currently. I am going to inform you about the Under 16 aims and objectives for the season 2009/2010.
Firstly, the County team is run seperate from Kent Schools. If you have been selected to play for Kent Schools you can also play for the County team. If you happen to go to a School that doesn't play football then it is unlikely that you would have played for Kent Schools before.
To be eligible to play in the Kent County side you have to play for a club that is affiliated to the Kent County FA. or to have been born in the County of Kent.
Trials will take place probably early in September. When dates are agreed we ask each of our League clubs at Under 16 to recommend up to 4 players for trials. The trials are divided North and South initially and then we have one final trial.
The aim is to select a squad of 22 players (2 for each position), and then to play 2 friendly games against Gillingham's Centre Of Excellence team and against Kent Schools.
We then play in the South East Counties Under 16 League against London F.A. Surrey F.A. Sussex F.A. Middlesex FA and the AFA (Amateur Football Alliance). The competition is decided on a League basis across 5 matches. In total there will be 7 games for the County team of which 2 are friendlies and 5 competitive.
Players receive a silver badge for 5 competitive appearances and their County Cap for 10 appearances.
Towards the end of the season those players that show good promise usually end up playing a few games with the Under 18's. Last season from the Under 16s, Scott Heard from Canterbury made it to the 16 man squad for the FA County Youth Cup Final at Under 18 level.
I see this as a 3 year plan so that players can then go on and progress to the Under 18s and get involved with the FA County Youth Cup matches next season.
Gary Farr and Simon Balsdon are my two coaches and Chris Watson is our Physio. We expect to be helped out this season by last season's Under 18 captain Tom Parkinson who is now too old to play for the Under 18s and goalkeeper Deren Ibrahim who will hopefully be looking after the Keepers.
Any Kent Youth League team that has their Keeper called up to play for us can request a Postponement of their League fixture. This also applies to any team that has 2 or more outfield players called up.
As Team Manager I do not have any involvement with a club side, which hopefully allows Team Managers to relax that their better players are not being courted by another club side at this level. However it is a great challenge to the players to pit their skills at the next level of football and represent their County.
I will keep you informed as to our plans but hope you find this useful as we want to find a strong squad for this season to win back the trophy we won season 2007/2008.
If you want any further details about the Representative team please feel free to email me at ken.brooke@kentyouthleague.co.uk
Thank you
Ken Brooke - Manager Kent County Under 16 Representative Team
