Centre of the Year 2007
Pitch Invasion's Winning Pitch
The FA has announced the winners of its inaugural FA Small Sided Football Centre of the Year competition, with Pitch Invasion becoming the League Operator of the Year for their competitions staged at the Stanley Deason Leisure Centre in Brighton.
Dermot Collins, the FA's National Development Manager for Small Sided Football, believe that the competition provides further evidence of the improving quality standards of organisations providing facilities and leagues throughout the country: "The panel were particularly impressed by the high standard of entries which reflects the increasing quality of small sided football centres in England. The winners being selected because of their pro-active promotion of small sided football – including an increasing number of junior and women's competitions – and the quality of their disciplinary and league management systems."
Andrew Hill, Chief Executive of Pitch Invasion, was recently presented with a commemorative trophy at the FA's Soho Square headquarters by Dermot Collins, Kevin Tharme, County Development Manager of Sussex County FA and David Henson, Chairman of the FA
Small Sided Committee. Representatives of Pitch Invasion will be invited as guests of the FA at a forthcoming England FIFA World Cup qualification match at Wembley Stadium.
FA Small Sided League Operator of the Year
Winner Pitch
Invasion, Stanley Deason Leisure Centre, Brighton
Highly Commended
Soccer Sixes, Goodwin Sports Centre, Sheffield
FA Small Sided Facility Operator of the Year
Winner
Powerleague Soccer Dome, Derby
Highly Commended
Goals Beckenham
Gemtec Arena, Hull
How was the competition judged?
The FA were looking for the best Small Sided Football facility and league operators in England and judged the competition using the following criteria:
● Attracted new teams or players to participate in Small Sided Football.
● Retained teams in Small Sided Football leagues and competitions.
● Enhanced the quality of participation for players.
● Promoted diversity and offered opportunity to all social groups regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or ability.
● Improved the administration of leagues and other competitions.
● Aided the development of referees for Small Sided Football.
● Developed the competence of your staff.
● Run an innovative and effective marketing campaign or promotion.
● Introduced a more effective discipline system or membership scheme.
The Facility Operator of the Year is for organisations that operate their facility, and those organisations that hire their facility for competitions should enter the League Operator of the Year category.
Small Sided Football in England
As the national governing body for football, The FA is responsible for the governance, administration and development of the sport in England. Its role encompasses the traditional eleven-a-side format, Mini-Soccer for children and Small Sided Football, which includes five-a-side, six-a-side, seven-a-side and Futsal.
The FA's annual Football Trends survey indicates that there are currently four million people playing Small Sided Football in England, making it the most popular team sport in the country.
Further information
For further information about the FA Small Sided Centre of the Year competition and on small sided football in England please contact:
Dermot Collins
National Development Manager (Small Sided Football)
The Football Association
25 Soho Square
London
W1D 4FA
Email: Dermot.Collins@TheFA.com