Oxford United Initiative

Summertown Stars have been enjoying a fruitful partnership with Oxford United this season. United’s new chairman Nick Merry has been keen to re-establish links with local football following the barren Kassam years, and Summertown was the first grassroots club to benefit from his enthusiastic new initiative. Already this season, several Summertown coaches have been invited to observe United’s centre of excellence training in action. Jo Kalies, the coach of the u-12 girls team, for instance, headed along to Tilsley Park in Abingdon to pick up a few tips.

“Watching United’s young players being coached gave me great ideas for the girls training sessions,” she says.

Meanwhile, four of our coaches attended a coaching workshop organised by OUFC at the Gosford Sports Centre in Kidlington, a course intended to help improve skills in dealing with young footballers. Paul Harvey, manager of the u-13s says:

“Without exaggeration it was the best coaching session I have ever attended.”

The culmination of the relationship between United and Summertown came in the Fun Day on 25 November, details of which can be found elsewhere on this site. Future plans include United players attending as guest of honour at our Presentation Evenings and 5-a-side tournament and club coaches taking sessions for our younger players. Sadly, it is unlikely the initiative will stretch to fulfilling the ambitions of the manager of the u-10s, Rory Carnegie, who was hoping to be invited to play in the United number 9 shirt in the game against Tamworth.

Jim White, Chairman, Summertown Stars.

Our football stars thrilled with day out with the U’s

Oxford United kicked off a new partnership with local junior clubs on Saturday 25th November 2006. Oxfordshire's FA Charter Development club of the year, Summertown Stars was rewarded with a match day experience.

Nearly fifty players of the North Oxford club from 6 to 13 year olds participated in a morning training session with the U's top coaches followed by a stadium tour, including meeting players, before the Conference league match against Tamworth.

At half time the youngsters were presented to the 6700 crowd as part of United's commitment to quality grassroots football to help continue their success into the next decade. Six boys took three  penalties against the U’s keeper Chris Tardif- the biggest cheer was for the U7 Milo who easily won the shoot out and the prized U’ s autographed  shirt. Oxford’s winning goal came from the same penalty spot!

Summertown's club Chairman Jim White said “We are delighted with the link up with our local professional club who are offering to support all FA Charter award clubs in Oxfordshire with similar experiences. The kids were thrilled about the day and maybe one day another Wayne Rooney may be discovered for Oxford in return"

Star player Sholto, who was interviewed on the BBC Radio Oxford’s Dominic Cotter breakfast show about the event added” This was a very cool weekend and thanks to everyone for making 50 boys so happy to belong to the best  club in Oxfordshire”

U12’s enjoyed training session		U players Marvin Robinson and Andrew Gunn fielding questions
U13 player’s penalty just saved by Chris Tardif		6700 supporters cheer the players round the pitch