User:Ridgewayefc/Ridgewaye Football Club

Club History and Résumé

Based in Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, the club is in the 16th official year, Ridgewaye F.C is one of the leading local youth teams with membership in 2010 of around 320 registered players with a buoyant “Mini” section currently boasting around an additional 40 members managed by, and in association with “First Class Football”.

One of the first clubs in the Tunbridge Wells/Tonbridge area to gain the FA Charter Standard Club Award. The Club has a dedicated administration team and a full child protection policy.

The club began out of parents concern about the lack of sport in school and the lack of opportunities for children. With the increase in numbers Yew Tree Road, where they played, was not big enough the Club moved to Barnett's field. When Ridgewaye playing field became available, due to The Ridgewaye Secondary School Closure, the club moved. Those who took the lead in the early days were Bill Boyd and Bill Hodges and they were soon joined by Dave Cooper and Gerry Murphy, who worked with a squad through all age groups. Dave Lott and Kenny Pilbeam joined later. The membership and coaching group continued to expand and this model of 'keen' dads (& mums!) becoming coaches and helpers as their children join the club has continued.

The club was formally registered in 1995 and named Ridgewaye Sweepers in attempt to combine Ridgewaye, the name of the pitch location in Southborough with Sweepers to represent those who came from the High Brooms area. The club applied to join the Crowborough and District Junior Football League, was accepted and have entered more teams each year. The League effectively covers a corridor from Sevenoaks in the north, East Grinstead in the west, East Peckham and Paddock Wood in the east and down through Crowborough and Jarvis Brook to Bexhill, Hastings, Hailsham & Eastbourne.

The club caters for junior football for all ages between 5 to 18 and has rapidly developed a girls section. This has flourished since inception in 2003 and at the moment has around 60 girls playing regularly and the club currently competes at Under 11 Under 13, u 14 and U18 in the Kent Girls & Ladies Football League.

Currently, in association with First Class Football, and with support from the Football Foundation, embarking on a three year plan to recruit and develop U8 / U9 girl’s teams. This should enable a constant supply of Girls teams for the Future!

This increase in girl players also proved a catalyst for other developments such as the redevelopment of the old school gym at the Ridgewaye Centre to provide additional changing facilities, toilets, a small indoor training area and a club café and shop on Saturday mornings. This was made possible by a combination of fund-raising, grants, and time and efforts of club members.

This project has been overseen by the Club Committee, consisting of 12 members who meet on a monthly basis to discuss financial, social, FA and playing matters. Coaches are also invited to raise and discuss any issues they may have. The coaches also have their own meetings when practical to discuss and exchange ideas on playing and training issues.

There is also a disciplinary panel who meet when there is a breach of club rules or any incident involving any player from the club during matches. The Committee also looks to develop and protect club interests and on a day to day level is involved with issues ranging from granting bursaries for players who cannot afford the annual membership fees, liaising with the council and others over relevant issues.

During the past five years, in association with Kent Football Association, training courses for Referee’s, Level 1 Coaching, Child Protection Workshops and First Aid courses etc have been held at the Club site.

The club has now a dedicated football strip manufactured which will role out to all members by 2011. On, or around, the third week of June, the club hosts its “annual tournament” which attracts teams from Kent, Sussex, and Surrey & Essex.