Training

Well done to the lads (and spectators) at training today - in horrible conditions an extended game of attack v defence showed the value of both keeping the right shape and defending from the front. This is something we need to start doing much more in matches and is something that we will continue to work on in training.

See you on Wednesday!

Clocks Change Tonight

Make sure you remember to change your clocks tonight, they go back an
hour at 2am.

Enjoy the extra hour!

Energy drinks 'not good for children'

The following article is taken from the website of the Channel 4 programme 'The Food Hospital' it is worth reading and also getting the players to read too. We get taken in by marketing and being told we 'need' something, in this case energy drinks, when the reality is that we really don't.

http://foodhospital.channel4.com/The-Truth-About/in-the-news/energy-drinks-and-children-2011-05-31/ 

Energy drinks 'not good for children' 

"Children should avoid energy drinks due to 'toxic' levels of caffeine," reported the Daily Mail. The news is based on a clinical report of the ingredients of sports and energy drinks and a review of previous research into their effects on children. The researchers combined these findings with expert opinion to make recommendations about the suitability of these drinks for children and teenagers.

The researchers convincingly argued that sports drinks are unnecessary for children and adolescents doing average amounts of physical activity, and that energy drinks are also unsuitable for them because of their high caffeine content.

This was a US study, but many of the results are probably applicable to the UK. The researchers concluded that sports drinks are no more beneficial than water after normal exercise for children. They also say that both energy and sports drinks have high levels of sugar, increasing the risk of obesity, and that their acidity can damage teeth enamel. They stated that the very high caffeine content of energy drinks (sometimes equivalent to 14 cans of common caffeinated soft drinks) makes them unsuitable for children.

The Food Standards Agency recommends that children should only "consume in moderation drinks with high levels of caffeine"

Where did the story come from?

The study was carried out by researchers from the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition (CON) and Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness (COSMF). Sources of funding were not given. The study was published in the peer-reviewed journalPediatrics.

The research was generally covered well by the Daily Mail and The Independent.

What kind of research was this?

This review examined the ingredients of sports and energy drinks, and the similarities and differences between the products. The researchers then carried out a systematic reviewof the evidence of the effects of these drinks on children and adolescents.

The researchers said that sports and energy drinks are a large and growing beverage industry, and sports drinks are marketed to children and adolescents for "optimisation of performance and replacement of fluid and electrolytes lost during exercise". Energy drinks, meanwhile, are marketed as being able to boost energy, decrease fatigue and enhance concentration. The researchers say that sports drinks and energy drinks are two different products, but the two may be confused with each other. For example, "energy" can be thought to imply calories only (which sports drinks also contain), but energy drinks also contain stimulants such as caffeine or guarana, a South American plant extract also containing caffeine.

What did the research involve?

The researchers defined and categorised popular sports and energy drinks and reviewed their ingredients.

The sports drinks that were assessed were All Sport Body Quencher, All Sport Naturally Zero, Gatorade, Gatorade Propel, Gatorade Endurance, Gatorade G2, Powerade Zero, Powerade, Powerade Ion4 and Accelerade.

The energy drinks assessed were Java Monster, Java Monster Lo-Ball, Monster Energy, Monster Low Carb, Red Bull, Red Bull Sugar Free, Power Trip Original Blue, Power Trip "0", Power Trip the Extreme, Rockstar Original, Rockstar Sugar Free and Full Throttle.

The researchers conducted a systematic review of the evidence relating to the effect of the ingredients of these drinks on children's health. They then discussed the evidence for and against the use of sports and energy drinks in children and adolescents. The researchers aimed to produce guidelines for parents, government policy makers, schools and youth sports clubs on the appropriate use of sports drinks for children doing average amounts of activities. Where there was a lack of evidence, the authors instead considered the expert opinions of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition (CON) and Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness (COSMF).

The researchers highlighted that their report was not intended to be a guide for the effectiveness of sports drinks in children and adolescents involved in competitive endurance, repeated-bout sports such as tournaments, or other prolonged vigorous physical activities.

What were the basic results?

Water 'best for hydration'

The researchers first looked at the effect of the drinks on hydration. They said that dehydration can be associated with premature fatigue, impaired sports performance, cognitive changes, possible abnormalities in the body's salt balance (electrolytes), and an increased risk of heat illness. However, they say that water is generally the best first choice for hydration before, during and after most exercise, rather than sports or energy drinks.

High-carb content 'raises obesity risk'

The researchers then looked at the carbohydrate content of sports drinks, such as sugar. With the exception of the sugar-free sports drinks, the drinks contained 2–19g ofcarbohydrate (glucose and fructose) per 240ml serving. This corresponds to 10–70 calories per drink. The researchers said that although carbohydrates are the most important source of energy for an active child or adolescent, in general there is little need for children to drink carbohydrate-rich drinks other than the recommended daily intake of fruit juice and low-fat milk.

Energy drinks (those with added caffeine) generally had more carbohydrates than sports drinks: 0–67g per serving with a calorie content of 10–270 calories. The researchers said that routinely drinking these sports and energy drinks (and soft drinks) will result in excessive calorie intake and substantially increase the risk of becoming overweight orobese.

'Risks of high caffeine'

The researchers said that caffeine has been found to enhance physical performance in adults by increasing aerobic endurance and strength, improving reaction time and delaying fatigue. The size of the effects can vary, however, and there have been no studies in children. Caffeine can have a wide range of effects on the body, including increasing the heart rate and blood pressure. It also reportedly increases speech rate, attentiveness and motor activity as well as body temperature and the secretion of gastric juices. Caffeine is also a diuretic. Psychological effects include effects on mood, increasing anxiety in people who are prone to this and sleep disturbances in some people.

The researchers say that energy drinks can contain large amounts of caffeine, often more per serving than cola. It can be hard to determine the amount of caffeine in the drink from the packaging as the serving size may be different from the packaging size. They say that the total amount of caffeine in some cans or bottles of energy drinks can exceed 500mg, which they say is equivalent to 14 cans of common caffeinated soft drinks. To put this in context, they say that a lethal dose of caffeine is considered to be 200–400mg per kg of weight (about 6g for a 30kg child).

They say that caffeine has other dangers for children, and can affect the developing brain and heart and the risk of developing addiction. They recommend that children should be discouraged from consuming caffeine. They also highlight that the most common way children would be exposed to caffeine is in soft drinks, which have around 24mg of caffeine per serving.

Guarana 'adds even more caffeine'

Energy drinks often include the plant extract guarana. This extract contains caffeine, and 1g of guarana is equivalent to 40mg of caffeine. Therefore, guarana will increase the total caffeine content in the beverage. In the energy drinks that the researchers sampled, they found that the drinks contained up to 30mg of guarana per 240ml.

Electrolyte needs 'met by the diet'

Sports and energy drinks may contain electrolytes (sodium and potassium salts). The sodium content of the drinks was 25–200mg and the potassium content was 30–90mg per serving (240ml). However, the researchers say that most children and adolescents get enough electrolytes from a healthy, balanced diet and that sports drinks offer "little to no advantage over plain water".

Added protein and vitamins 'not needed'

Proteins are often added to sports drinks based on the idea that protein can enhance muscle recovery when consumed soon after exercise. However, the researchers say that most children can easily get their recommended intake (1.2–2.0g of protein per kg of body weight a day) from a well-balanced diet, which is sufficient even for those who are regularly sporty. Likewise, vitamins that are sometimes added to sports drink can be obtained in the required amounts from a balanced diet without the need for supplements.

High acidity 'erodes teeth'

The researchers say that there is some concern that these sports and energy drinks will cause tooth decay in children and adolescents. They say that most of these drinks are acidic and can contain citric acid, which is highly erosive to the teeth. They report a study that found that 57% of 11- to 14-year-olds had erosion to the enamel of their teeth.

How did the researchers interpret the results?

The researchers said, "for the average child engaged in routine physical activity, the use of sports drinks in place of water in the sports field or school lunchroom is generally unnecessary. Stimulant-containing energy drinks have no place in the diets of children or adolescents."

Conclusion

This review delivers a well-argued and convincing case that energy and sports drinks are unnecessary and possibly unsuitable for children and adolescents doing average amounts of physical activity. The researchers say that, in the US, there is a drive to stop schools selling high-calorie fizzy drinks, but that sports drinks have been marketed as a "healthier alternative".

The researchers make a series of recommendations for parents, schools and policy makers. Though these recommendations are intended for the US, some translate to the UK. These include educating parents, children and paediatricians about the risks of these drinks, including the risks of caffeine, obesity and tooth erosion. They suggest that water should be promoted as the best source of hydration for children and adolescents.

A similar review, published by a group of American researchers in February 2011, looked at research on energy drinks and their consumption by children and adolescents. This research, examined by Behind the Headlines, described in further detail the potential dangers of energy drinks for younger people.

The Food Standards Agency recommends that "children, or other people sensitive to caffeine, should only consume in moderation drinks with high levels of caffeine."

---

Analysis by Bazian

Edited by NHS Choices

Read this article on NHS Choices

Links to the Science

Schneider MB, Benjamin HJ. Clinical Report–Sports Drinks and Energy Drinks for Children and Adolescents: Are They Appropriate? Pediatrics, May 29 2011 (published online)

BACK TO NEWS LIST

Sunday 28th October

This Sunday we were due to play a friendly against the LRFC Panthers. Unfortunately with it being half term they are not able to get a full team so what we have arranged is that we will train at 2pm at Burrows and then play them in a 9v9 match.

I also now have the training tops and socks which i will distribute to the lads that are there on Sunday.

Availability for Fixtures in November

We have four fixtures through November in all competitions...

1. 04/11 - League match v Cleeve away - Full Squad
2. 11/11 - League Cup match v Painswick away - Gaps in squad
3. 18/11 - County Cup match v TBC away - Gaps in squad
4. 25/11 - League match v Gotherington away - Gaps in squad

Please review the availability tracker and where there are gaps please confirm your availability.

Half Term, Friendlies & County Cup

HALF TERM
There will be no training on Wednesday during half term (24/10) this will resume on 31/10.

FRIENDLIES
Unfortunately we were unable to get a team to play this coming Sunday (21/10) so that match has been cancelled - it would be good to play that Churchdown team at some point though so hopefully we can rearrange this.

We do have a friendly for 28/10 (last Sunday of half-term) against the LRFC Panthers. This will be an afternoon kick-off at either Naunton Park or Burrows. We have a squad for this match now (details in the calendar). If you haven't responded as yet please do so. Full details of this fixture will be confirmed once organised.
 
COUNTY CUP
The next round of the County Cup is to be played on 18/11. Our opponents have not been confirmed yet but we are due to play away.

Please confirm availability for this fixture urgently.

Details of the draw can be found via this link.
<http://www.gloucestershirefa.com/cups/2012-2013/under-13/fixtures#round-3>

Friendly - 21/10?

We have an opportunity to play a friendly this Sunday afternoon
(21/10) against Churchdown U12's.

They are a strong side that won the cup last season and may even have
won the league too. They now play in Gloucester league.

This would be a good run out in a period where we have no games for a
couple of weeks.

Let me know.

Half Term - Training Cancelled

The training session planned for 24/10 has been cancelled as it is half-term.

LRFC Quiz Night

Tonight was the first LRFC Quiz night. 13 teams took part with the
Cougars Team of Eric, Garry, Marcus and Mark victorious!

That means we are on the hook for the next quiz in around 6 months time.

A great night and a great result for the Cougars!

Andorra;)

County Cup Match 14/10 - Cancelled

I have just been informed that our GFA County Cup match this Sunday
(14/10) V Cirencester Town has been cancelled. Cirencester have
withdrawn from the competition meaning we have a bye to the next
round.

Enjoy a weekend off!

U13's Cup - FC Lakeside Blues V LRFC Cougars

Our first round match of the U13's Cup was a repeat of the U11 Arthur Stilley Memorial Cup Final against FC Lakeside Blues which we won 3-1.

Since that match we have had contrasting fortunes with Lakeside being relegated to division 2 at the end of last season. On a glorious afternoon with the sun shining and no rain the teams took to the pitch. Our matches with Lakeside have generally been physical (but fair) encounters with Lakeside very strong in the air and with 50-50's. The instructions at the start of the match were to match them in this and to then start to play our passing game. A familiar starting line-up of Will Fenley, resplendent in gold, in goal with a back four of Paddy Christopher, Freddie Palmer, George Garrad and Will Davis. A holding pair of Jacob Burgess and Harvey Parker-Allen. Then an attacking four of Louis Casey on the left wing, Sam Hansson-Willey as the playmaker behind Daniel Hodgin and Luca Bosano playing the right wing.

The pitch has quite a slope (is there a youth pitch that doesn't) and we played the first half up the hill. Lakeside were putting in long direct balls that were forcing us back. We started to win the ball and get it down. Sam Hansson-Willey was involved a lot early in the game, linking well with Jacob Burgess and Harvey Parker-Allen. At the back Freddie Palmer and George Garrad were seeing plenty of action and working well together. Winning the ball and then using the wide defenders, Paddy Christopher and Will Davis to keep possession and start moving forward.

Despite having better quality possession we were unable to make it count being caught offside a couple of times when breaking through and lacking a clinical touch in the Lakeside area. There was also some stoic defending from one of the Lakeside players at the back who caught the eye.

When the opening goal eventually came it was a player opening his account. Max Pemberton had been introduced as a late substitute. Playing in the withdrawn role behind Daniel Hodgin he finished well following persistent wing play from the right wing by Luca to play him through. A decisive strike beat the keeper and opened Max' account for the Cougars. Just reward for some excellent performances since joining us.

This was then followed with another goal within a minute or two (buses etc and so on...) by a fine strike from Daniel Hodgin who can't help but score when on the pitch! The half time whistle followed shortly after.

There were changes made at half time, Dan Griffiths replacing Will Davis at left back and Harvey Parker-Allen resuming his position alongside Jacob Burgess as the midfield screen.

The instruction at half time was to continue as we were, with increasing possession and the midfield winning the battle we expected, playing down hill, to have more opportunities on goal. How right we were. We kicked off the second half, after six (maybe seven) passes the ball was slipped into the inside right channel for Luca to chase down. As the keeper came out he lofted the ball over his head and into the net.

A fine team goal well finished. 3-0.

At 3-0 more changes were made with Paddy Christopher and Freddie Palmer making way for Sam Hansson-Willey (coming on at right back) and Will Davis (returning to the centre of defence). In midfield (with one eye on next weeks County Cup game) Luca moved up front with Callum Dagnall coming on into the right of midfield for Daniel Hodgin.

There were more goals to come. Luca completed his brace with another fine finish from the inside right channel, again chipping the onrushing keeper. Max also completed his brace with a neat goal following some great interplay with Louis Casey and the midfield players. 5-0 up.

In the last quarter Lakeside rallied, as you would expect, and with the Cougars being a little out of shape due to the changes made were able to score two goals. It could have been more but William Fenley, in goal, made an out-standing save late, catching the ball high and clinging on to stop it flying in over his head. Paddy Christopher playing right back had a very strong game, particularly in the second half where he had to defend much more. Harvey Parker-Allen played intelligently today covering positions when players either broke forward or were pulled out of position. Jacob Burgess was dominant in midfield, showing tenacity in the tackle and then guile in possession.

The match finished 5-2 to the Cougars. We perhaps could have scored more but this was a match that gave an opportunity to make a lot of changes and ensure that the lads all got some good game time. The versatility we have was apparent with, due to the changes, a couple of the lads playing in a number of different positions.

Up front the technical ability that the boys have is excellent Louis Casey hugged the left touchline, was always available to receive a pass and never gave the ball away. His link play with Max Pemberton (who is a real box of tricks on the ball and perpetual motion) was just superb today. Max was very close today for the MoTM but that went to Luca. For his powerful and typically energetic play on the wing, an assist for the opening goal and two very well executed goals himself.

We are into the quarter finals of the cup where we will face Painswick Youth U13's on 11/11.

County Cup Match 14th October 2012

We are down to a squad of 11 for the county cup match v Cirencester on 14/10 so if anyone currently unavailable could be then that would be a great help for the team. Thanks...

League Update

Please note that there has been a change to the division with Pershore Town U13's withdrawing. The fixtures (11th November and 24th February) have been removed from the calendar and availability tracker.

GFA County Cup - 14th October 2012

Apologies for late notice but on 14/10 we have a GFA County Cup match
away to Cirencester Town u13's.

http://www.gloucestershirefa.com/cups/2012-2013/under-13

Please confirm availability for this fixture by email (mbosano@gmail.com)