No sooner does one season end than the new one starts. Well almost.
The fixtures are now available. Interestingly there is one U14 Division with 14 teams in it. The usual suspects are all there with some new additions notably Lydney Town. The fixtures currently are all done with by January. There is space to lose some fixtures due to weather and there will be changes as Cup Games come into the mix too.
All the fixtures are in the team calendar and we start with a nice easy fixture against Churchdown Panthers on September 1st. The boys will not even have been back to school yet!
As with last season i will track availability via a tracker sheet.
Can you please review this and confirm availability for as many fixtures as you can via email.
If you know already that you cannot make some fixtures please confirm as we have an option of a 28 day rule, this means that with 28 days notice i can request a fixture reschedule. Once inside the 28 days we are committed to it.
The training plans around Park Run will need to be rescheduled and i will confirm this later through August.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
To lose one Pemberton is careless but two.....
Just to let everyone know that Max Pemberton will not be signing for
the new season having decided to drop the beautiful game in order to
pursue his rugby and tennis instead.
A character that will definitely be missed by the team I'm sure
everyone will join me in wishing him well.....
the new season having decided to drop the beautiful game in order to
pursue his rugby and tennis instead.
A character that will definitely be missed by the team I'm sure
everyone will join me in wishing him well.....
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Fitness training through summer
The run training that we have done over the last few weeks has been
well received and after the last one a couple of the lads said they
were keen to continue through the summer. This culminated in our first
crack at the Park Run on Saturday (20/07).
With this in mind I will do some run sessions on Wednesday evenings
from 14/08. These will start at my house and be between 2.5-3.2 (ish)
miles. These will be run, as far as possible, as a group with the
emphasis on doing it as a team rather than racing. It's about fitness
building for the new season.
As an end of summer target I will plan that we do another park run -
I'm looking at 31/08 which is after the bank holiday weekend so I'm
hoping more of the lads will be available. This is, of course, subject
to change and entirely voluntary ;)
Anyone, of course can do a park run any Saturday!
Enjoy your holidays and wear sunscreen!!
well received and after the last one a couple of the lads said they
were keen to continue through the summer. This culminated in our first
crack at the Park Run on Saturday (20/07).
With this in mind I will do some run sessions on Wednesday evenings
from 14/08. These will start at my house and be between 2.5-3.2 (ish)
miles. These will be run, as far as possible, as a group with the
emphasis on doing it as a team rather than racing. It's about fitness
building for the new season.
As an end of summer target I will plan that we do another park run -
I'm looking at 31/08 which is after the bank holiday weekend so I'm
hoping more of the lads will be available. This is, of course, subject
to change and entirely voluntary ;)
Anyone, of course can do a park run any Saturday!
Enjoy your holidays and wear sunscreen!!
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Park Run #22 - 20/07/2013
Park Run #22 - 20/07/2013
Well done to the lads (and parents) that made an early start to be ready for the 22nd Cheltenham Park Run.
The lads did very well and even got a shout-out from the race director at the start!
Out of 205 finishers these are their positions and finishing times...
#39 George - 22:28 (unofficial*)
#43 Lewis - 22:38
#63 Luca - 23:39
#92 Sam - 24:59
#118 Willbo - 26:09
* George didn't have his barcode, helpfully Paul did! Just a shame he was nearly a minute behind him!
The parents were represented although Britta did not get a finishing time...
#12 Marcus - 19:40
#58 Paul G - 23:19
The full results are available online here...
http://www.parkrun.org.uk/cheltenham/results/latestresults/
We will do this, as a team, again towards the end of August and hopefully see more of the players and parents give it a go.
The atmosphere was genuinely supportive and relaxed creating an environment for all abilities. There are only positives to be gained in taking part in an event like this...
Sent from my iPhone
Well done to the lads (and parents) that made an early start to be ready for the 22nd Cheltenham Park Run.
The lads did very well and even got a shout-out from the race director at the start!
Out of 205 finishers these are their positions and finishing times...
#39 George - 22:28 (unofficial*)
#43 Lewis - 22:38
#63 Luca - 23:39
#92 Sam - 24:59
#118 Willbo - 26:09
* George didn't have his barcode, helpfully Paul did! Just a shame he was nearly a minute behind him!
The parents were represented although Britta did not get a finishing time...
#12 Marcus - 19:40
#58 Paul G - 23:19
The full results are available online here...
http://www.parkrun.org.uk/cheltenham/results/latestresults/
We will do this, as a team, again towards the end of August and hopefully see more of the players and parents give it a go.
The atmosphere was genuinely supportive and relaxed creating an environment for all abilities. There are only positives to be gained in taking part in an event like this...
Sent from my iPhone
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
LRFC Cougars Park Run Training
In conditions approaching those seen in Badwater earlier this very week seven intrepid Cougars (Luca, Dan, George, Freddie, Willbo, Callum, Sam and Lewis) accompanied by Rob and myself undertook a training run this evening.
Covering 3.3 miles a distance greater than the Park Run event in just over 34 minutes it was a great effort.
See you on Saturday - remember to register on the park run website and print and bring your barcode to get a proper time.
Covering 3.3 miles a distance greater than the Park Run event in just over 34 minutes it was a great effort.
See you on Saturday - remember to register on the park run website and print and bring your barcode to get a proper time.
Monday, July 15, 2013
LRFC Cougars at Park Run
LRFC Cougars at Park Run
This Saturday (20/07) is the day ear-marked for the LRFC Cougars and
others to take part in the Cheltenham Park Run at Pittville Park.
The run starts at 9am from the leisure centre end of the park and
there are regularly around 200 people taking part so if you are
driving please leave time to get there and park. I am planning to
cycle there via the Honeybourne so if anyone wants to join me (and
Luca) we'll be leaving at 8:15.
If you are going to do this then you need to make sure you register
via the Cheltenham Park Run website and print and bring your barcode.
That's how you get an official time that will also be published on the
website.
We have confirmed Luca and I, Sam and his family, Lewis and Christine,
Willbo and Fred. Would be good to see some others join up for what, I
must stress, is fun. We have some fast runners and some less fast
runners. This is a timed event though and not a race.
We'll be run training again on Wednesday starting at the Gloucester
Uni Park Campus car park at 18:30. Similar to last week this will be a
2.5-3mile run as a group and at an easy pace. If any of the lads cycle
over make sure they have cycle locks as we leave the campus for the
run.
This Saturday (20/07) is the day ear-marked for the LRFC Cougars and
others to take part in the Cheltenham Park Run at Pittville Park.
The run starts at 9am from the leisure centre end of the park and
there are regularly around 200 people taking part so if you are
driving please leave time to get there and park. I am planning to
cycle there via the Honeybourne so if anyone wants to join me (and
Luca) we'll be leaving at 8:15.
If you are going to do this then you need to make sure you register
via the Cheltenham Park Run website and print and bring your barcode.
That's how you get an official time that will also be published on the
website.
We have confirmed Luca and I, Sam and his family, Lewis and Christine,
Willbo and Fred. Would be good to see some others join up for what, I
must stress, is fun. We have some fast runners and some less fast
runners. This is a timed event though and not a race.
We'll be run training again on Wednesday starting at the Gloucester
Uni Park Campus car park at 18:30. Similar to last week this will be a
2.5-3mile run as a group and at an easy pace. If any of the lads cycle
over make sure they have cycle locks as we leave the campus for the
run.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Park Run Training Run
Well done to the lads (Luca, Fred, George, Callum and Willbo) that showed up today for a Park Run training session. We started at the Park Campus car park and went for nice 2.4mile run around the mean streets of Cheltenham.
The conditions were hot so the pace was not.
Details of the run are available in strava (a free app if you have iPhone or Android).
Same time next Wednesday - let me know if you are interested so i know who to expect.
The conditions were hot so the pace was not.
Details of the run are available in strava (a free app if you have iPhone or Android).
Same time next Wednesday - let me know if you are interested so i know who to expect.
Monday, July 8, 2013
LRFC Cougars at Cheltenham Park Run
Every Saturday at 9am there is the Cheltenham park run. A free, timed
5 km run. Not a race, a timed event. The hope being that you run,
enjoy it, get a time then try to beat it at a later event.
Some time ago I put out that this would be a good thing for us to do
as a team and wider, siblings, parents, grandparents etc. the date for
this being 20/07.
With that in mind and with the football now over the next two
Wednesdays (10/07 and (17/07) will be some running training for anyone
that wants to come along. Starting at 6:30pm from the Park Campus
car-park for 30minutes.
Can you let me know if you want to come to this so I know who to
expect, can you also let me know if you want to run the park run on
20/07 with the team? To date it's Luca, me, Sam, Rob, Britta and Sam's
grandfather that are "in".
This is a great opportunity for the lads to get a benchmark over 5km a
distance that they probably cover in matches and then seek to improve
on it. As a team we could do this every couple of months to see for
improvements.
It should be fun too.
5 km run. Not a race, a timed event. The hope being that you run,
enjoy it, get a time then try to beat it at a later event.
Some time ago I put out that this would be a good thing for us to do
as a team and wider, siblings, parents, grandparents etc. the date for
this being 20/07.
With that in mind and with the football now over the next two
Wednesdays (10/07 and (17/07) will be some running training for anyone
that wants to come along. Starting at 6:30pm from the Park Campus
car-park for 30minutes.
Can you let me know if you want to come to this so I know who to
expect, can you also let me know if you want to run the park run on
20/07 with the team? To date it's Luca, me, Sam, Rob, Britta and Sam's
grandfather that are "in".
This is a great opportunity for the lads to get a benchmark over 5km a
distance that they probably cover in matches and then seek to improve
on it. As a team we could do this every couple of months to see for
improvements.
It should be fun too.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
The World Cup in 2022 will be played in Qatar
Fintan FC (5) v (2) LRFC Cougars
With the Southside tournament being cancelled and robbing us of our
competitive summer outing a friendly against newly promoted Fintan FC
was organised. Playing on the 3G AstroTurf at All Saints Academy in
glorious sunshine the setting could not really have been better.
With a couple of late withdrawals from the squad, we drafted in a
couple of guest players in Will T and Fergus. They did not start the
match though and we lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The back 4
(left-to-right) of Dan G, Lewis, Willbo and Sam. The holding
midfielders were Jacob and Tom. In front of them Dan on the right,
George M in the middle Callum on the left and Luca up front.
We kicked off and Fintan were definitely more awake as within 1 minute
we were behind to a good finish from their barnstorming striker.
Plenty of time to recover the situation and from that goal we had our
best passage of play slowing pushing them back and having more
possession. Where we looked vulnerable was when the ball was played to
the striker. An early foray into the Fintan box saw Luca have a shot,
followed by powerful running from Dan H that the keeper tipped onto
the bar. Good build up, good shot and good save.
We remained vulnerable when the ball reached their striker but for the
early exchanges Lewis, in his Cougars debut, showed good strength,
tenacity and positioning to take the ball off his foot or block shots.
When he did break through his shots were full powered but, luckily for
us, way off target. But for better finishing he could have probably
scored half a dozen goals today.
Our front players were starting to link and keep possession but when
we needed the final ball or pass the Fintan defence were equal to it.
We didn't get much luck but that was down to the defensive
performance. With a defender at 6' 2" (and 13 years old) it was a bit
men against boysat time.
Half time and it was 2-2. Fintan took the lead to go 2-1 up with then
Will scoring an equalising goal.
With two substitutes we made many changes and played some of the lads
in different positions. George M played at the tip of the diamond at
the start of the match and latterly in the holding role. Dan H and
Luca played on wings and up front. As did Callum playing both wings
and striker. Sam played right back and right wing to good effect. This
was as much to see what it looked like as much as it was to rotate
players and keep them fresh in the heat. As the game progressed the
Fintan team looked stronger and started to punch holes through our
midfield and defence.
Fintan scored 3 goals in the second half to win 5-2. Will made a
number of good saves and there was some misfiring in front of goal.
The game could have been lost by more. We still had good possession
but failed to turn that into shots and more importantly goals. What we
needed were options in midfield which come the new season will be
available.
Positives from the game were Lewis making an excellent debut against a
very strong and powerful striker. He looked strong, pacy and showed
composure when he won the ball. An excellent acquisition who may have
found his position.
Dan G showed improving form despite cricket injuries (is that even
possible?). Willbo was ever reliable and maintained his 100% record!
Jacob was metronomic in midfield, mopping up as much as he could,
linking well with Tom, George and Will T. George M played well in two
positions and will certainly improve as he gets used to the runs that
the lads make. Nice skills to get a yard, just needs to release the
ball quicker. Same for Tom really, tenacity and energy in abundance
and skills too. It's learning when to release. the ball. When we did
that we looked good. Dan H and Luca showed what we know already and it
was a shame that early shots didn't come off, on another day perhaps.
Up front we know we have the pace and skill to cause problems for any
opposition what we need to do is work on doing that closer to their
goal. Most of our good work was in, safe, midfield areas.
Oh and we need to communicate more. Much, much more. We need talkers
on the pitch, in every position.
Well done to Fintan, they are a strong team and deserved the result.
We look forward to meeting them in the league next season.
With the Southside tournament being cancelled and robbing us of our
competitive summer outing a friendly against newly promoted Fintan FC
was organised. Playing on the 3G AstroTurf at All Saints Academy in
glorious sunshine the setting could not really have been better.
With a couple of late withdrawals from the squad, we drafted in a
couple of guest players in Will T and Fergus. They did not start the
match though and we lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The back 4
(left-to-right) of Dan G, Lewis, Willbo and Sam. The holding
midfielders were Jacob and Tom. In front of them Dan on the right,
George M in the middle Callum on the left and Luca up front.
We kicked off and Fintan were definitely more awake as within 1 minute
we were behind to a good finish from their barnstorming striker.
Plenty of time to recover the situation and from that goal we had our
best passage of play slowing pushing them back and having more
possession. Where we looked vulnerable was when the ball was played to
the striker. An early foray into the Fintan box saw Luca have a shot,
followed by powerful running from Dan H that the keeper tipped onto
the bar. Good build up, good shot and good save.
We remained vulnerable when the ball reached their striker but for the
early exchanges Lewis, in his Cougars debut, showed good strength,
tenacity and positioning to take the ball off his foot or block shots.
When he did break through his shots were full powered but, luckily for
us, way off target. But for better finishing he could have probably
scored half a dozen goals today.
Our front players were starting to link and keep possession but when
we needed the final ball or pass the Fintan defence were equal to it.
We didn't get much luck but that was down to the defensive
performance. With a defender at 6' 2" (and 13 years old) it was a bit
men against boysat time.
Half time and it was 2-2. Fintan took the lead to go 2-1 up with then
Will scoring an equalising goal.
With two substitutes we made many changes and played some of the lads
in different positions. George M played at the tip of the diamond at
the start of the match and latterly in the holding role. Dan H and
Luca played on wings and up front. As did Callum playing both wings
and striker. Sam played right back and right wing to good effect. This
was as much to see what it looked like as much as it was to rotate
players and keep them fresh in the heat. As the game progressed the
Fintan team looked stronger and started to punch holes through our
midfield and defence.
Fintan scored 3 goals in the second half to win 5-2. Will made a
number of good saves and there was some misfiring in front of goal.
The game could have been lost by more. We still had good possession
but failed to turn that into shots and more importantly goals. What we
needed were options in midfield which come the new season will be
available.
Positives from the game were Lewis making an excellent debut against a
very strong and powerful striker. He looked strong, pacy and showed
composure when he won the ball. An excellent acquisition who may have
found his position.
Dan G showed improving form despite cricket injuries (is that even
possible?). Willbo was ever reliable and maintained his 100% record!
Jacob was metronomic in midfield, mopping up as much as he could,
linking well with Tom, George and Will T. George M played well in two
positions and will certainly improve as he gets used to the runs that
the lads make. Nice skills to get a yard, just needs to release the
ball quicker. Same for Tom really, tenacity and energy in abundance
and skills too. It's learning when to release. the ball. When we did
that we looked good. Dan H and Luca showed what we know already and it
was a shame that early shots didn't come off, on another day perhaps.
Up front we know we have the pace and skill to cause problems for any
opposition what we need to do is work on doing that closer to their
goal. Most of our good work was in, safe, midfield areas.
Oh and we need to communicate more. Much, much more. We need talkers
on the pitch, in every position.
Well done to Fintan, they are a strong team and deserved the result.
We look forward to meeting them in the league next season.
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