By Cliff Penning

The Junior Sports Programme was happy to be able to assist Birchwood Colts JFC who are also currently running our Fair Play Awards scheme.

Birchwood Colts JFC was established in 1990. Initially there was just one boys team with a bare minimum of equipment, very limited volunteer support and coaches with no formal qualifications.

By 1995 the number of teams had increased to five playing in the Mid Lincolnshire League. Equipment and facilities had improved and outdoor training was provided at the Birchwood Community and Leisure Centre during the winter months.

Between 1995 and 2003 the club grew rapidly increasing to 13 teams. Two of these additional teams were girls teams competing in the Mid Lincolnshire League. In total over 200 young people were playing football for Birchwood Colts JFC, these included 15 young people who were on the “training to play programme”.

During 2003, 3 teams won league championships and one team finished as runners up.

In 2004 Birchwood Colts JFC achieved FA Charter Standard. This was also the year when the Clubs inaugural Girls team won their first piece of silver wear for the club by winning the U13 League Cup. The club has developed a nursery training session where players from 4 years old can participate in fun training sessions and hopefully these young players will form the nucleus of future teams.

During 2005/6 the Club’s Management Structure was reorganised to meet the future challenges ahead. Whilst the redevelopment of the Birchwood Sports Facilities proceeded, the club was temporarily reduced to nine competing teams (three of which are girls teams); but with the availability of improved facilities from the 2006/7 season the club has be able to increase the number of teams to offer football experience to more young people.

In 2009 Birchwood Colts JFC were awarded Lincolnshire FA Charter Standard Development Club of the Year and we are currently preparing an application to the Lincs FA to become an FA Charter Standard Community Club.