Dave Bond Personal Trainer

Potentia Performance is launched!

Dave Bond — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 10:27:04 +0000

As a valued follower of DB Personal training I wanted you to be among the first to hear the exciting news.

Over the years I have been committed to delivering the highest quality of personal training to all of my clients. As part of this commitment I continue to study developing techniques, test new fitness products and challenge the latest science/thinking to ensure I am the best I can be for my clients.

As part of my continued development program I have looked to align myself with other professionals who can further enhance the services I offer.

I am, therefore, pleased – and really excited – to share the newsthat I have joined forces with fellow personal trainer David Chandler to form Potentia Performance Ltd.Potentia is an exciting new concept in personal training that will ensure you receive even more from your training sessions.

Over the coming weeks we’ll be sharing more news about Potentia, the additional services on offerand other exciting developments all aimed at exceeding your expectations.

Change can be scary for some. With that in mind, I wanted to take this opportunity to personally assure you that the formation of Potentia will only add to the training quality and commitment that I offer to my clients and fello proffesionals. If you have any questions, thoughts or comments I will, as always, be happy to answer or listen to anything you have to offer.

Thank you for continuing to support me on this exciting journey so far and I look forward to continuing it with you and Potentia Performance Ltd.

Watch this space for more developments or visit our new website www.potentiaperformance.co.uk

Gillingham LFC 1 – 4 Colchester United LFC

Dave Bond — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 10:12:22 +0000

U’s BAG FIRST WIN!

4-1 Gills Triumph Kick Starts Season

Colchester United Ladies FC bagged their first win of the new campaign with an impressive 4-1 victory at Gillingham Ladies FC on

Hannah Gowland

Sunday 4th September. The U’s got off to a flying start with Helen Bass going close to punishing a goalkeeping error in the 1st minute before Megan Jiggins powerfully headed home Maegen Doyle’s 11th minute free kick to open the scoring

Colchester continued to control much of the early stages with Bass twice testing Chloe Baker in the Gillingham goal although Natalie Crinean went close for the home side at the opposite end.

The lead was doubled on the half hour when Sian Larkin’s in swinging corner was flicked on by Sian Fagg and then sliced into her own net by a Gillingham defender.

Gillingham enjoyed their best spell of the game following the interval and had the ball in the net on the hour only for Crinean’s effort to be ruled out for offside. As they committed players forward however gaps began to appear at the back and Colchester looked dangerous on the counter with Larkin and Hannah Gowland going close before Bass saw her effort strike a post.

It was the combination of Bass and Gowland that sealed the points in the 81st minute, the Colchester skipper’s nicely weighted through ball met with a sweetly struck left footed drive from youngster Gowland that left Baker with no chance.

Gillingham were handed a late glimmer of hope when Jiggins was harshly adjudged to have handled in the box, Danielle Farmer making no mistake with the resulting spot kick but any hopes of a dramatic revival for the Gills were quickly snuffed out when Doyle launched a 35 yard free kick that Baker could only parry into the roof of the net.

Overall a satisfying performance from Colchester which lifts them into third place in the FA Women’s Premier League South and left U’s Boss Kevin Anderson pleased commenting;

“There’s no doubt we have been disappointed with our start to the season but today was much more like what we should be capable of, particularly in the first half. We had done a bit of homework and thought we may be able to cause them some problems from set pieces and two goals via that route enabled us to take control of the game. Other than a 20 minute spell after half time when they went a bit more direct, threw a lot at us and we lost a bit of concentration and composure, I thought we defended reasonably well and always looked threatening going forward.

It’s good to see the players have learned some lessons from the first two games, they’ve worked hard on the training pitch and it showed. We were a lot more focussed today and it’s now important that we are consistent in our level of performance and continue to improve. We have two home games coming up which we need to try and win in order to keep pace with Portsmouth who are off to a bit of a flyer at the top”

There will be an immediate opportunity for Colchester to further improve their league position this Sunday when the third placed U’s will take on Brighton & Hove Albion Women who currently sit in second spot, three points ahead of Colchester. The game is a 2pm kick off at Stanway Rovers Hawthorns ground.

Colchester United: Runnacles, West (Southgate 74), Henderson, Fagg, Jiggins, Guyon, Heaslip, Doyle, Larkin (Rushen 87), Bass, Gowland (Parnell 83)

Colchester Scorers: Jiggins 11, OG 29, Gowland 81, Doyle 87

COL U LADIES ACADEMY WIN THE GRAND SLAM!!!

Dave Bond — Sun, 15 May 2011 15:31:02 +0000

Colchester Academy Complete Quadruple Quest – BCS National Cup Final Colchester 2 Arsenal 0

Colchester United’s Female Academy completed a remarkable and unprecedented clean sweep of major domestic college titles with success in the fourth leg of their grand slam, a 2-0 victory over Arsenal Ladies Oaklands College Academy in the British Colleges National Cup Final at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium.

The young U’s were under pressure for much of the first half as Arsenal moved the ball around stylishly but Colchester’s well organized and determined midfield and defensive units coped well and did not allow the Gunners any real looks at Helena Brodie’s goal. As Colchester continually frustrated Arsenal’s attacks they began to take better care of the ball themselves and started to look dangerous on the counter attack. Hannah Gowland and Hayley West both had good opportunities to open the scoring Gowland shooting just wide and West’s half volley at the far post flying over. Both were to make amends however before the break as first West’s determination allowed her to power past the Arsenal back line and goalkeeper to tap into an open net and then Gowland provided an exquisite left footed finish into the far corner after chasing down a Flo Gamby through ball.

Arsenal’s only real chance of the game came from a free kick that struck the post shortly before half time but Colchester preserved there two goal advantage into the interval.

Hannah Gowland

In the second half Arsenal again enjoyed possession in the first two thirds but could not break Colchester down, their incredible work rate denying Arsenal any time or space in dangerous areas. Again Colchester always threatened on the break, Sian Fagg striking the cross bar with a powerful header and the hard working Gowland, named player of the match, could have sealed the game after rounding Elizabeth Stanley in the Arsenal goal only to shoot into the side netting.

There was to be no comfortable run in for Colchester though as they lost commanding centre half Megan Jiggins to injury with ten minutes of regular time remaining and the referee then saw fit to play nine minutes of added time as Arsenal desperately sought a way back into the game. Colchester were in no mood to relinquish the advantage though and there were jubilant scenes when the final whistle eventually came as the U’s youngsters realized the final exclamation point on an incredible season had been achieved.

Captain Maegan Doyle lifted the cup which joins the BCS Elite League National Play-Off and East Division championships along with the English Schools FA National Cup in Colchester’s bulging trophy cabinet.

Academy Manager David Coyle reflected on the day and season commenting;

“I have never seen a side work as hard as our players did today. To limit an extremely talented side like Arsenal to one speculative shot on goal as well as playing some great football ourselves was exceptional. It was a performance that really summed up our season and the qualities the players have displayed all year. We don’t necessarily have the big name to attract internationals from around the country like our opposition today are able to, but our players have demonstrated what can be achieved with hard work, commitment and heart.”

Summing up the season’s achievements Coyle added;

“Essentially what we have done at the U-19 women’s level is the equivalent of winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup all in one season. It’s an incredible achievement to win four major trophies in one season, something that has never been done before and is unlikely to be repeated. It’s been a real team effort from the players, staff and supporters along with the support from Thurstable School and Colchester United Community Sports Trust and an amazing experience I am sure everyone involved will never forget”

Nutrition – Back to Basics

Dave Bond — Wed, 04 May 2011 21:30:20 +0000

No matter what your exercise programme or method of dieting there are always people queuing up to advise you on what you’re doing wrong. With the best of intentions they impart their pearls of wisdom about which diets worked for them and of course those that didn’t.

So how do you get an honest answer about the right nutrition? The truth is that we are all different and therefore our bodies function in different ways. No one diet can guarantee healthy weight loss for all and exercise programmes need to be tailored to meet your specific requirements and lifestyle.

Fad diets offer no permanent solution. They generally involve starving the body in one way or another. The end result is usually the same. You reach your target weight only to gain back all the weight you lost and more besides as soon as you go back to your normal eating habits..This is because your body goes into ‘starvation mode’. Think about a bear sleeping all winter without having to eat. When it wakes its body craves food which is instantly convereted to body fat to ensure the bear survives the next winter. Our bodies work on a similar principle. When food is scarce our bodies adapt to use less energy. We become lethargic; we sleep more and generally feel sluggish. When food is readily available again such as at the end of a diet, our bodies convert more of the food to body fat faster so as to protect itself in case of future famine. So what do we do?

Let’s go back to basics, back to how our bodies have evolved over the past 600,000 years. Our bodies are built to eat and digest food in a specific way. While evolution has seen our anatomy change (the appendix being no longer active in the digestion process for example) this has taken hundreds of thousands of years.

Early man used to live off the land eating only what they could hunt or gather. Meat, fish, nuts, berries, seasonal fruit and vegetables were all high on the menu. They had a balanced diet getting their protein source from the meat, fish and nuts and their carbohydrates from foods such as berries and fruit. There were certainly no artifical flavourings or additives.

Nowadays many of us bulk out our meals using complex carbohydrates such as potato, rice, pasta and bread. These kinds of foods only became available through the introduction of agriculture which, in the scheme of our evolution is surprisingly recent. All this means that our bodies have not yet evolved enough to be able to break some of these foods down properly.

As a personal trainer the first task I set myself when I am looking at a client’s eating plan is to find out which complex carbohydrates they are eating. We then work together to introduce alternatives which can be more easily broken down and digested. This is achieved by adding and removing foods from the client’s diet while closely monitoring their body fat percentage, body measurements and weight. I also look at my clients eating habits, when are they eating, how often and how much. We work together to get them into the habit of grazing.

The aim of graze feeding is to ensure clients don’t get hungry and go into starvation mode but I also don’t want them overindulging and putting on body fat due to excess eating. That’s why, initially we work together to identify suitable snacks to take in between main meal times that will work well as part of a complete and balanced diet.

One snack which is a favourite among dieters is the “healthy cereal bar”. This product was introduced to the market in 1997 and sales continue to grow. A lot of money has been spent advertising these bars as “healthy, light, diet or “Good for you”. The reason given for this is the use of whole grain that is low in fat and uses natural ingredients. However, once the ingredient lists are investigated and a full understanding of healthy eating applied then it soon becomes apparent that cereal bars may not be as healthy as the marketing may indicate. This can also be true for a lot of modern day food variations. Listed below are some considerations when next buying a cereal bar.

Whole grains are bland and tasteless – cereal bars often contain high amounts of refined sugars, sugar alternatives and fruit concentrates. This often exceeds the 15g sugar per 100g that the FSA (Food Standards Agency) set as the level for a high sugar food.

They will likely cause a high insulin response because of the moderate to high glycaemic loads. This is associated with fat storage.

- Grain products are usually high in mineral blocking phytic acid.
- They often use omega 6 dominant vegetable oils such as sunflower, rapeseed or soy bean oil.
- Starches, gums, preservatives and emulsifiers are commonly included additives.
- They may be fortified with synthetic vitamins.

Cereal Bars are just one example of how the new market of healthy, convenience foods continues to expand. Only time will tell what these highly refined carbohydrate snack foods will do to our bodies.

A good snack to have to hand during the day are nuts and fruit. Nuts provide a good source of protein and unsaturated fats that not only provide you with a much needed energy source but the unsaturated fats within the nuts assist with brain stimulation. Fruit is a good carbohydrate source so by combining a piece of fruit with a small handful of nuts you have created a good mid morning and mid afternoon snack for in between meals.

An excuse I often hear from clients when it comes to main meals is ‘I don’t have enough time.’ This usually means either a lack of preparation or psychological barriers they are putting in the way. People who really want to lose weight do not miss breakfast. If necessary get up 15mins earlier. Lunch time meals can be prepared the evening before or can even be leftovers of the previous evening meal. Meals can be simple and easy if time is precious. By far the best way to make your weeks eating simple and manageable is preparation. If you know work commitments or a busy family schedule will stop you eating properly during the week plan ahead and prepare your meals at the weekend. If you have an idea of what you are eating on which days then you can prepare for the coming week so write a menu for the week. It is important that all meals are eaten to allow you and your body to get into a routine and avoid going into starvation mode.

Even though, there are no generic magic diets there are some general rules that you can stick to that will improve your eating habits, help your bodies function properly and optimally help you to achieve your goals. Eat little and often. Three main meals and mid morning and mid afternoon snacks.

Cut out caffeine after 4pm to allow time for all stimulants to pass through the body by the time you go to bed. This will help you sleep better and allow the body to recover properly. Lack of sleep can also be a contributing factor to body fat storage. This is due to hormone imbalances and certain chemical productions within the body.
If you need an evening snack after your evening meal, ensure it is a protein based snack such as cottage cheese or Greek yogurt. Carbohydrates are an energy source and will stop you achieving a deep sleep when you go to bed.

Get the majority of your carbohydrates from foods such as fruit, vegetables and salads and reduce your intake of potato, rice, pasta and bread.

Ensure you drink plenty of water throughout the day.

I see a lot of people who want to lose weight and most have tried different diets before coming to see me. Some people have achieved great weight lose but suffered other effects such as loose skin or eating disorders. The majority have put the weight back on and more besides. To lose weight and keep it off you must eat healthily and combine it with an exercise programme suited to your specific needs.

You should always consult your doctor before carrying out any major changes to your eating habits or starting on a course of exercise especially if you have existing medical conditions. If you would like an individual eating plan tailored specifically for your requirements contact me today via my contacts page. Alternatively, contact a professional in your area.

U’s Academy Ladies win British Colleges National League Play-Off Final

Dave Bond — Wed, 04 May 2011 21:23:10 +0000

Some college footie action from Doncaster’s Keepmoat where the U’s won a national title…

Thurstable Sports College 6 – 1 John Madejski Academy
11 am, Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster Rovers FC, 4th May 2011

A dominant first half performance from Colchester United Academy’s girls who are based at Thurstable, was too much for their opponents from John Madejski’s Academy. Despite a much more coherent display by the team in Reading’s colours in the second half, five goals before the break was always going to be enough to see David Coyle’s team – who also won the English Schools FA U18 title against Balby Carr at Norwich City FC in March – lift the British Colleges National League Play-Off Final trophy.

Having lost last year’s final against Chelsea’s Therfield College team, in a penalty shoot-out (3-3 aet), Thurstable never looked like losing this one. They nearly went ahead in the 4th minute, when no. 9 Hannah Gowland shot over from a good position but Lily Mellors did not miss the target, just a minute later, when played in by a very neat through ball from Flo Gamby.

Emily Heaslip’s 12th minute effort went close for Thurstable and then in the 13th minute Amy Nash sent a diagonal ball into the box for the onrushing Maegen Doyle. She controlled it on her chest and and flicked it past ‘keeper Grace Moloney, in a show of great control and finishing. Her celebrations were equally impressive, consisting of several forward flips before she was mobbed by team mates.

It wasn’t get any easier for John Madejski’s girls and although wide midfielder Francesca Kirby sent a shot into the keeper’s hands in the 16th minute, they had conceded again by the 19th minute. A right wing corner was headed onto the bar by the constantly threatening Flo Gamby and Doyle stabbed the rebound towards goal. A defender attempted to hook clear but the referee’s assistant flagged to signal that it had crossed the line. 3-0.

Five minutes later and captain Doyle (later named Player of the Match) had her hat trick as she crashed in another, this time sending in a shot from 20 yards which sailed over the keeper. Cue much flippage.

The ordeal wasn’t quite over for Kelly Chambers’ team yet, however, as Lily Mellors added a fifth in the 42nd minute. There was a hint of controversy as some felt the ball had gone out of play near the halfway line but the action continued and despite a good save from Moloney, overlapping full back Hayley West squared (or shot?) for the speedy, right midfielder Mellors, to drill home her second.

It may have been game over, in terms of scoreline, but the second half was a much more even contest as the John Madejski team restored some pride and showed what they can do as both sides played some attractive football. Although they did concede one more, just after the break. Again it was Gamby causing havoc from a corner, as her header came off the bar and this time Sian Fagg netted from the rebound. 6-0 in the 48th minute.

Now it was the team in blue and white’s turn to get on the offensive and have the most of the play (and when Thurstable did break forward, Moloney made a series of fine one-on-one saves). They got their rewards in the 67th minute: Stacie Donnelly’s well struck strike was parried away for a corner by Helena Brodie but the keeper misjudged the resultant corner, Heaslip failed to clear on the goal line and the ball trickled over for an own goal and a well deserved consolation for John Madejski. Charlotte Chard’s long range effort nearly added another in the final ten minutes but it came off the crossbar and had the men’s teams who were in watching (waiting for their game later) ooohing and ahhing. Good fun.

Thurstable were simply stronger and more dynamic in the opening period, they have a collection of talented players – some with England U-19 level experience, had clearly learned from last year’s disappointment and all of that combinedn won them the trophy. However, there were players on both teams that caught the eye. All in all, an entertaining game in a fantastic setting and a great indication of the ever-developing standard of football at FE level.

Thanks to BCS’s Karl Lines, Rosie Eggleston and their friendly volunteers for making sure I was fed and warmed with hot drinks.

Team Line-ups:
John Madjeski Academy: Grace Moloney, Sophie Barrett, Megan Alexander (c), Jasmine Brewster (Jaye Howlett, 84 mins), Jodie Webb, Jessica Winchester, Francesca Kirby, Charlotte Chard, Stacie Donnelly (Charmaine Hughes-Boyne, 84 mins), Danielle Puddefoot, Georgia McGill (Deanna Peters, 45 mins)

Thurstable: Helena Brodie, Rebekah Henderson, Hayley West (Alice Diss, 61 mins), Emily Heaslip, Megan Jiggins, Sian Fagg, Lily Mellors (sophie Blowers, 75 mins), Flo Gamby (Daisy Self, 75 mins), Hannah Gowland (Jo Ribert, 78 mins), Maegen Doyle (c), Amy Nash (Rosie Mellors, 61 mins)

ACADEMY NATIONAL TITLE

Dave Bond — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 05:47:31 +0000

Wednesday 16th March saw Colchester United Ladies Academy secure the club’s first ever national title on a proud day at Norwich City’s Carrow Road stadium. The Academy side based at Thurstable School in Tiptree took on reigning champions Balby Carr Sports Academy from Doncaster in the final of the English Schools FA National U-18 Girls competition.

Colchester were in control throughout the match but chance after chance went begging as Balby Carr somehow managed to stay on level terms into the half time break.

It looked like the deadlock would be broken midway through the second half when Hannah Gowland who terrorised the Balby defence all day long without managing to find the net was sent tumbling in the box. The frustration continued however for the U’s as Emily Heaslip’s spot kick was well saved by Katie Bailey in the Doncaster goal who then also managed to scramble away the rebound.

It was left then to a moment of real quality from captain Maegen Doyle to seal the deal, producing a 65th minute goal truly worthy of winning a major cup final. Collecting the ball in the centre circle the England U-19 international jinked past a series of opposition challenges before unleashing a vicious swerving, dipping strike from 25 yards that this time Bailey could only watch as it bulged the corner of the net.

Colchester continued to control the game and confidently played out the remaining minutes to clinch the title sparking jubilant scenes at the final whistle highlighted by a series of back flips from the elated goal scorer Doyle. While Doyle had provided the moment of inspiration, it was a tremendous all around team performance from the players, staff and supporters that got the team over the line, one that left Academy Manager David Coyle brimming with pride,

“I am delighted for the players, I know how hard they work and it is a fantastic reward and achievement for them. We were the better team by far today but the longer it stayed goaless you never know especially after we had missed so many chances and the penalty. It was a great testament to the players attitude though that they kept going and eventually made the breakthrough. At the end of the day in a cup final you just need to score one more than the other team and that was good enough today. In some ways it was good for the players experience and development that they had to work so hard as if we had put away our chances and won by six or seven it may have lessened the sense of acheivment.”

Colchester United Ladies Director of Football Kevin Anderson remarked on the importance of the win in the context of the club’s overall ambitions,

“It’s a landmark for the club, we have a great set up along with our Centre of Excellence and Ladies teams, the club is ambitious and moving in the right direction and we want to be challenging for honours at all age levels. The Academy is leading the way, the players and staff are a joy to be around and work with and are a fine example of the standards we are setting, everyone involoved was proud to wear the badge today”

There could be more honours in store for the Academy squad as they are still involved in the latter stages of four other competitions. On May 11th they will take on Arsenal Ladies Academy in the British Colleges National Cup Final, while the team also sits on top of the BCS National Elite League ahead of both Arsenal and Chelsea Ladies Academy programmes. The team will also be looking to reach the BCS National Elite League Play-Offs final for the second consecutive season and also to defend their Essex Colleges crown.

Any talented young female players aged 15-18 interested being considered for next season’s squad should contact Academy Manager David Coyle on 07872 542300 or dcoyle@cucst.org.uk

County Cup Exit

Dave Bond — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 09:13:58 +0000

Hammers Have U’s Number Again

Colchester United Ladies FC

Colchester United Ladies relinquished their hold on the Essex FA County Women’s Cup as West Ham Ladies maintained their season winning streak over the U’s.

Colchester started the game brightly and could have taken the lead when Sian Fagg’s goal bound strike from the edge of the area cannoned of a West Ham knee and then Maegen Doyle blasted the rebound over.

The game turned on the quarter hour mark however when Natalie Grafton found some space behind the Colchester back line and provided a well struck finish that U’s keeper Nikita Runnacles got a hand to but could not keep out of the net.

The remainder of the half offerred little in the way of clear chances before the final minutes when first West Ham were rightly awarded a penalty following Megan Jiggins mis-timed challenge on livley forward Nina Downham which Gemma Shepherd confidently converted.Colchester then had an opportunity with the final kick of the half to get back in the game when full back Hayley West‘s cross went across the visitor’s goal but Karissa Rodney could not apply the finishing touch.

Substitutes Hannah Gowland and Lily Mellors were introduced at half time to provide more attacking options and allthough Colchester had the majority of the second half possession, West Ham with a two goal lead to protect got themselves well organised behind the ball and limited the home side to a handful of half chances.

Colchester then fell to their fourth consecutive defeat to their Essex rivals who will be favourites to recapture the trophy against Eastern Region League side Hutton in the final.

The Lady U’s will have one final chance to put one over on the Hammers this Sunday 27th February when the two sides meet yet agin, this time in the FA Women’s Cup at West Ham’s Thurrock FC home.

Colchester: Runnacles, Shepherd(Mellors 46), West, Southgate, Jiggins, Fagg, Doyle(Guyon 57), Gamby, Rodney(Gowland 46), Bass, Parnell

ACADEMY OPEN DAY & TRIAL ANNOUNCED!

Dave Bond — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 09:11:04 +0000

Colchester United’s nationally renowned Female Academy Programme will be holding an open day and trial for prospective 2011/12 season student athletes on Thursday 7th April 2011 at Thurstable School and Sports College in Tiptree, Essex.

Colchester United Ladies Academy

The all day event will involve presentations by the management and coaching staff, Thurstable faculty, an informal discussion with current Academy players, a tour of the school and facilities and a training session and trial match in the afternoon.

Currently top of the British Colleges National Elite League and with both a BCS National Cup Semi-Final and an English Schools FA Girls U-18 National Final upcoming the Colchester United Female Academy has established itself as arguably the premier female football academy programme in the country. Its growing reputation for developing elite level talent has this season seen two current players represent England at U-19 level and a graduate at England U-23s. Four former participants are currently on full time playing scholarships in the United States.

The programme offers full time education alongside an elite, professional level football lifestyle and benefits from:

Staff:
• Full time Director working towards UEFA A License
• Full time Manager/Head Coach working towards UEFA A License
• Full strength, conditioning and nutrition programme provided by Dave Bond of Potentia Performance Ltd
• Injury treatment and rehabilitation specialist
• Individual academic tutor support
• Supported by Colchester United Community Sports Trust, Colchester United Ladies FC, Thurstable School and the Football Foundation

Football Programme:

• Full fixture programme in British Colleges National Elite League, National Cup and English Schools FA National Cup
• Daily training sessions with UEFA qualified coaches
• Full strength, conditioning and nutrition programme
• Close link with Colchester United Ladies FC of the FA Women’s Premier League providing top level senior training and playing opportunities
• End of season international tournament, past trips have included Gothia Cup, Sweden – Winners 2008, Semi-Finalist 2009 and the Copa Catalunya, Spain – Winners 2010

Academic:

• Full range of academic courses available, A-levels, B-tec, GCSE and re-sits
• Opportunity to take FA Coaching Courses (Level 1 & 2)
• Individual tutor support
• Work experience places in the sports industry
• Homestay provision available for non-local students

Exit Routes:

• University – the vast majority of participants achieve the required qualifications to go on to further education
• Football scholarships to American Colleges
• Full time employment in the sports industry
• International honours
• FA Women’s Premier League

The Colchester United Female Academy is committed to developing and enhancing the lives of talented individuals both on and off the pitch and in the process continuing the tremendous success, accomplishments and tradition of the programme.

As such, any young female footballer between the ages of 16 to 18 with a good playing background, a strong desire to succeed both on the pitch and in the classroom and a willingness to meet the high standards required is invited to attend our open day on:

Thursday 7th April, 9:00am to 3:00pm
Thurstable School & Sports College
Tiptree, Colchester, Essex CO5 0EW

To express an interest and book your place at the open day please contact:

David Coyle,
Academy Manager
Tel: 07872542300
Email: dcoyle@cucst.org.uk
www.colchesterunitedladiesfc.com

Colchester United Ladies Academy on a Roll!

Dave Bond — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 21:02:02 +0000

Colchester United Ladies Academy

It has been a fabulous fortnight for the U’s, a Team of the Year award, reaching a cup final and defeating Arsenal Academy.

First off, the Academy, based at Thurstable School, Tiptree was recognized as 2010 ‘U-18 Team of the Year’ at the Colchester Sports Awards for its achievements last year, which included winning the Copa Catalunya Tournament in Barcelona, the Essex Colleges Trophy and an appearance in the British Colleges National League final. It seems however that this year’s squad may be able to top even that impressive showing as they have played their way to the latter stages of three major national competitions.

On March 16th the Colchester squad will make their way to Norwich City FC’s Carrow Road stadium to take on Doncaster’s Balby Carr Community Sports College in the English Schools FA U-18 National Final. This appearance was secured this past Monday when Colchester overcame Thomas Telford School 5-0 in the semi-final held at Clacton FC’s Rush Green Bowl ground.

Wish just one day’s recovery time, Colchester then turned their attention back to British Colleges National Elite League action for a crunch first versus second battle with Arsenal Ladies’ Oakland College Academy side. Colchester emerged victorious with a resounding 5-1 win, goals from Flo Gamby (2), Hannah Gowland, Maegen Doyle and Amy Nash. The win puts Colchester nine points clear of the Gunners with three games to play and all but seals a second consecutive appearance in the BCS National Elite League play-offs.

A league and cup double is also a possibility as they also take on Balby Carr in the semi-finals of the BCS National Cup competition, a week prior to their English Schools National final engagement.

Academy Manager David Coyle is delighted with his team’s progress so far, commenting, “This year’s squad knew they had a lot to live up to after last year’s successes but whereas last season we gained momentum after a bit of a slow start, this time they really hit the ground running and haven’t looked back. That has been down to a lot of hard work as well as learning the discipline and commitment it takes to be considered among the best in the country at what they do.”

Coyle was quick however to guard against complacency adding, “The win against Arsenal is obviously a high point so far for the programme, as they are still by far the bench mark in women’s football in the UK but I have warned the players that they have won nothing yet and the home stretch is going to be really tough as we challenge on three fronts against the country’s best sides, including I am sure Arsenal again somewhere along the line.

“We will need to maintain our focus but if the players continue to perform as they have done so far we have every chance of making it a really special season.”

As the Colchester United Ladies Academy Programme goes from strength to strength, the recruiting process for next season is well underway with an open day at Thurstable School in Tiptree scheduled for Thursday 7th April.

Any young female players aged 16-18 with a good playing background looking to combine an elite level football programme with full time academic study are encouraged to contact Academy Manager David Coyle on 07872 542300 or by email dcoyle@cucst.org.uk to request an information pack.

Ladies Ready to Battle ‘Toon Army’

Dave Bond — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 19:51:49 +0000

Newcastle United to Make Long Trip to Hawthorns for Women’s FA Cup Tie.

Colchester United Ladies will be in Women’s FA Cup action this Sunday at Stanway Rovers FC. After defeating Tottenham Hotspur Ladies in the previous round the U’s will welcome Newcastle United Women FC of the FA Women’s Premier League Northern Division to the Hawthorns.

The 3rd round tie is the first ever meeting of the two clubs and Colchester Ladies Director of Football Kevin Anderson is looking forward to the occasion commenting,

“We are excited about the draw, we don’t often get a chance to play the clubs in the North Division and the teams up their have a strong reputation so we see it as a great challenge for us to see how we match up. I think we have been training and playing well since the Christmas break so we will go into the game confident of putting in a good performance.

It’s obviously a relief to have been drawn at home, we have our Centre of Excellence players coming to the game and are hoping for a good crowd and a real cup tie atmosphere.”

The game kicks of at 1pm on Sunday 6th February at Stanway Rovers FC, New Farm Road Colchester, CO2 0PG. Admission is free to U-16s and £2 to adults through purchase of a matchday programme.