American dream for Coutts
By Adam Summers
Saturday 27th June 2009
WEYMOUTH Ladies’ boss Tim Davis wants to double the
size of the club’s girls’ section by 2012.
The youth development officer is in the process of setting
up a centre of excellence at the Wessex Stadium and has also
helped to appoint Tony Saunders as the new girls’ league
secretary.
Davis said: “The girls’ youth section is changing
the way it works with people getting appointed to do different
roles as it has got too big now to just be run by one or two.
“That is why Tony has been brought on board and his
remit is to work alongside me to boost the girls’ section
in all age groups.
“The set-up has been going very well in recent times
but we still feel we can do a lot better and with Tony coming
in to help as a willing volunteer I am sure we will be able
to improve it even further.
“Our aim is to try and double the amount of girls playing
for the club in the next two or three years. That may seem
optimistic but we certainly have the capacity to achieve it.
“As part of that, we will be starting up our own centre
of excellence and we will be approaching players through the
local schools in due course.
“I am confident the initiative will be well supported
and in my view it is the best way to develop our young girls.”
Saunders is delighted with his new role and he reckons the
girls and ladies’ section has the potential to become
a big force.
He added: “My daughter Elle started in the Under-11s
and is now playing for the Under-15s. She began as one of
the weaker players in her age group and was only just making
the team but following some additional training she is now
one of the stronger ones, so I know what the set up is all
about.
“A great structure is already in place but I want to
help push it forward even further and that is why I have got
involved.
“I think we have a niche here as ladies and girls’
football is much like football of old in the way it has not
been ruined by money being thrown at it.
“The girls play for the love of it and there is a real
opportunity here at Weymouth for it to grow and even progress
to a similar level as the men’s game.”
As part of the progression of the section Davis and Saunders
are keen to hear from volunteers, players, and local busin-esses
that would be willing to come on board.
Davis said: “One of the main things we would like to
do is get more female coaches and managers involved, so if
there is anyone out there interested in taking it up they
should get in contact as soon as possible.
“We would also like to hear from players of all ages
who are interested in joining the club as well as any companies
that would be willing to help out with sponsorship.”
To find out more about Weymouth Girls or Weymouth Ladies
contact Tim on 785558 or Tony on 781187.
