The ethos of the festival was for players to have fun in a pressure free, friendly environment.
Teams played a series of games on both days and these results were not recorded. The emphasis was on the players enjoying the game and developing as players and avoiding the ‘win at all costs’ attitude. Teams did a Champions League style handshake before each game and shook hands again at the end of the games.
Skills coaches from Essex FA also set up skills challenges for children to take part in whilst they were not playing games ensuring children were enjoying football, practising new skills and keeping warm throughout the day.
In the run up to this festival, managers and coaches have attended coaching workshops and parents were encouraged to complete the FA Learning’s online ‘Soccer Parent’ course. This was all with the aim of helping the children to develop as players and to continue to enjoy football.
During the games, spectators and managers were expected to stay in their marked out zones on opposite sides of the pitch and asked to positively encourage all players and avoid criticising.
The festival also gave valuable experience to young and newly qualified referees as we want them to develop and enjoy refereeing.
On the second day of the festival players took part in a penalty shootout with the chance to raise money for CLIC Sargent, a charity that helps children with cancer.
All players received a medal of achievement and a certificate.
Burwell Tigers won the ‘Fair Play Award’ for best meeting the ‘Let the Children Play' ethos and received a box of coaching equipment.
We hope all the managers, coaches and spectators will carry this ethos through the following season allowing their young players to continue to develop and enjoy playing football.