Welcome to Chesterfield Football club and the Girls Centre of Excellence.

It was encouraging to note that following an official monitoring visit in April by FA Regional director Julie Chipchase our Centre was noted as being up with the best which illustrates the enormous strides we have taken since a year ago.

We have continued to make progress in many areas some of which I have taken the liberty to bring to your attention in the following paragraphs.

If you were with us last season I am sure you will have identified that the Centre's who played weekly fixtures had a huge advantage in match situations especially in terms of shape, set plays, and technical understanding and it was a constant source of frustration to the writer and his staff that we were never able to fully influence the development of our players. I am therefore delighted that in 2006-7 we are now able to compete on equal terms by playing weekly fixtures in the Eastern and East Midlands League.

The Centre will continue to provide a structured coaching programme designed to inspire and fulfil the individual needs of all our players and this will now include an additional training day which will feature SAQ coaching delivered by Cameron Evans.

Our staff have been carefully selected as the right people for the job and we are pleased to announce the appointments of Rachel Mee and Karen Broughton who under my supervision will be jointly responsible for the development of the under 12's squad, another addition to our team is Leigh Knightley who will be responsible for the smooth running of our Development centres and talent identification.

I am also pleased to announce our partnership with Brookfield Community School and our close relationship with their newly appointed Sports Development Officers Stephen Burns and Paul Whitworth.

The playing fields and new Sports Hall at Brookfield are excellent and we are pleased to be part of a long term plan to continue to improve facilities which would include a new all weather floodlit playing surface.

We have also formed official club links in key areas with Charter Standard junior clubs Brampton Rovers, Linby Ladies, and Little Eaton Diamonds and I would take this opportunity to thank them for their support and sound attitude to player development.

 Centres of excellence provide the only structured path to international football and we are proud that several of our players have been selected for England at various levels.

To achieve the ultimate goal it is important that we as coaches give first priority to player development therefore please be aware that at this stage winning football matches is of secondary importance, yes we would like our teams to be successful but only if we play football in the right manner therefore we must recognise the subtle difference between Centre Of Excellence and club football where in the main it is only the result that matters.

Enjoyment is a key factor in success - if we enjoy it we will learn and improve - winning is important but it is not as important as playing well, having fun and being a good representative for the Centre.

I have stated the above because it is important that we work together, we place considerable importance on parental involvement and understand the full process of development as a partnership between parents, players, schools, and the Centre.

Finally I feel it correct to point out that although part funded by the FA we still need to raise a certain amount of money to sufficiently cover the running costs.

 Chesterfield FC support our administration needs but as I am sure that anyone with a history of the club will appreciate that they are unable to help financially. Therefore an amount of revenue has to be raised including a £30 registration fee (Can be paid in 2 instalments in September and October) and match subscriptions £3 home and £x amount away depending on transport costs.

We are pleased to give you the option to buy from the full range of training kit available through our sponsor Branded Sports however in order to create the right professional image on match days a contract agreement at the Centre would include the purchase of a wet top from Branded Sports at a cost of approximately £25.

These are exciting times for all concerned and I do hope that you will enjoy life at the Centre and should you have any concerns or require further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

Stewart Rowley - Centre Director July 2006Chesterfield Girls Centre of Excellence is sponsored by

Chesterfield FC Girls Centre of Excellence is sponsored by