Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Douglas Youth ‘right where we want to be’
DAVID Menzies, head coach of Douglas Youth Age 9, has hailed the team for their great inaugural season, saying “We are right where we want to be”.
The DDYFA outfit’s campaign does not end until August but they are starting to think about preparations for next season.
David said: “The season started off a bit slow but we progressed well and, as it went on, the whole squad developed well.
“The first season has been great. We are building a good team and we are right where we want to be at this time.
“The main reason we started this was to create another place where kids can come and have fun and that is what it is all about.
“The club’s ambition is to get more kids playing football.
“It has been a learning curve for all of us.
“This is the first time I have been involved in starting a new club and I have been coaching for 20 years but I do try to stay up-todate with the new techniques.
“We have a great bunch of players this year and, if I had to hand pick them, I would choose the same team I have now.
“They are all great kids with a lot of talent — they surprise me with their abilities all the time.
“I have coached players who you think would not make the cut or step-up to the next level for the next season and they end up becoming the Player of the Year award winners.
“The club has done quite well to create good funds to keep the club going and establish a name for itself.”
Douglas Youth are now planning to create a bigger pathway into football, with more teams in the DDYFA set-up and an adults team.
Recognition came in the shape of the SFA Quality Mark Club Award at community level just before Christmas
“We are now just trying to keep the club going and build from what was a very good year.”
However, with 20 years’ experience in coaching football, David would like to see some changes to help the younger kids’ transition from seven-a-side into 11-a-side football.
He said: ”I think they should create a nine-a-side game that will help the kids’ transition better. That would stop the pitch from doubling in size from sevens to 11s.”