Season 2016/2017
Dear Parents/Carers,
Re: Club Ethos
Over the last 10 years this club has grown more than we could have ever imagined. From
starting out with 3 teams and just over 40 girls signed to now having ever age group from
7 to over 18’s playing for us. We have over 14 teams with some age groups having more
than one team. Since we remain dedicated to girls' football you will noticed that having
age groups with more than one team is getting more common as teams and players join
our fantastic club. Tilehurst Panthers is an amazing and lucky place to be.
We are now writing to clarify the clubs position with regards to player/team selection and
to confirm the clubs ethos when we have more than one team at any age group.
In the initial stages as a club we tried several different ways of assigning players to
teams; with friends, due to lifts, same schools etc, all of which worked initially but caused
issues further forward.
More than this though, it was evident that we were not progressing each individual player
to the best of their ability and addressing their specific needs. This is something we have
since been focusing on and we believe we are now addressing this issue.
Many discussions have been undertaken with the committee and with the managers
about the best way forward. This is now the new Tilehurst Panthers Girls Football club
ethos and processes where we have enough players for two teams is as follows;
 Players will be selected based on ability and those seen to be more developed (at
any time) will be selected and asked to play in a team which plays in the top
division (a more developed team). Just to be clear, the girls will be offered a
chance, they do not by any means have to accept this if they do not want. All
communication from managers regarding this MUST be through the parent or
carer.
 One manager in each age group will assess any new players and assign them, to
whichever team is felt appropriate after consultation with the other managers at
that age group.
 At the end of each season all managers of a particular age group will liaise with
each other to assess the situation as a whole and discuss specific players and their
progress. At this time players can be offered a move from team to team.
Tilehurst Panthers Football Club
A girls football club for young people in Tilehurst, aiming at excellence and fun for all members and their families:
 With some players being given the opportunity to move ‘up’ into a Division One
team, it might also mean that some will be asked to move ‘down’ to a Division Two
team. What we would like you to understand is that we are trying to develop the
girls based on their own individual needs, and just as in any specific subject/activity
all children are different and progress/develop at different speeds and do so better
when surrounded by children of a similar ability (think of schools).
 The aim is inevitably to progress each and every player to play football in a fun
environment to the best of their ability. If your child is asked to moved ‘down’ to a
div 2 team it is not because they have under-performed. Rather it is because we
believe they will progress better for what could be only a season.
 In a team environment where the ability is mixed what tends to happen is that the
developing players only thoughts are to pass the ball as quickly as possible to a
more developed player.
The more 'developed' player(s) spend most of their game with their head down
trying to beat the whole team and score.
In either situation it is not helping the development of either player or the team.
As you can imagine there was plenty of discussion before we put this new club ethos into
place. If you have any concerns about this information please feel free to talk to your
daughter’s manager or to any committee member.
The girls are always at the forefront of our minds when we make decisions like these. We
are all in this together for the love of the game and for the continued fun and enjoyment
of the girls in the Tilehurst area. We believe that these guidelines will give us all the best
possible chances to continue to grow and get stronger and stronger.
Many thanks for your continued support.
Matthew Bews and the Tilehurst Panthers Committee
The Club committee
Matthew Bews
Rob Page
John Calahan
Alan Charlton
Kevin Prescot
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Club
Club
Club
Club
Club
Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer
Child Protection Officer
Charter Standard Officer
Tilehurst Panthers Football Club
A girls football club for young people in Tilehurst, aiming at excellence and fun for all members and their families: