I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy New Year!

As we approach the half way mark in what is our 5th season as an RTC now is a good time to reflect on the past five months.

The season started in a similar fashion to previous ones with our annual trip to Oakham. This years line up was by far the most exciting with our players getting the opportunity to play the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal to name but a few.

Our Under 10’s and 12’s began their second season playing boys football and have enjoyed a packed schedule of highly competitive games.

The U14’s and U16’s continued to give a good account of themselves in the Regional RTC League. The Under 16’s had a good win in the up over last seasons FA Youth Cup finalists Millwall only to succumb to Southampton in the next round. It’s been a stop start feel to the fixture programme with a number of players receiving International and regional call ups which has interrupted our fixture programme.

Sara Smith Walter received her first England Under 15’s call up back in August which was followed by her receiving her first cap in October. Maddie Biggs also received her first Under 15 call up in December only to pull out through injury, a great achievement all the same.

The quartet of Maria Boswell, Paige Peake, Eloise King and Blue Wilson have been ever present in England Under 16 training camps and squads for the first part of the season. Silvana Flores has also been selected to attend the latest camp this week.

On a Regional front Essex RTC has had a regular 12 players attending the East Region Development Camps and Hubs. Sophie Farrow, Cloe O’Brien, Sara Smith Walter, Maddie Biggs, Milly Stacey, Eloise King, Paige Peake, Maria Boswell, Blue Wilson, Lucy Egan, Sophie Peskett, Silvana Flores have all been involved.

The first week of training will include our mid season player reviews. The main aim of these reviews is for us to be able to share each players progress with you as parents and guardians. The advice we give to our coaches is to be completely constructive but also honest when providing feedback. Much time has been spent on putting together each players reviews and I hope that you will find this a positive experience.

Our programme would not be as successful as it is without your incredible support. We also have a very committed and consistent team of coaches and support staff who work extremely hard to set the right environment for our players.

I am confident that we can look forward to an exciting 2018!

Sharon