In the latest of our end of season catch up features with Impetus’ sponsored players and partner clubs, Ted McCarter from Bure Valley Youth in Norfolk filled Ben Gilby in on how their first full season of football in two years has gone. have just ended their first full season in football for a couple of years due to the pandemic (23/6/22).
Above: Bure Valley’s U9 Jaguars celebrate success this season. Photo supplied by: Ted McCarter.
The last time we heard from Bure Valley, their young players were telling us all about the incredible experience that they had at the Arnold Clark Cup match between England and Spain at Carrow Road.
“We had a great time watching The Lionesses,” smiled Ted. “Girls aged from seven to 15 attended and really enjoyed it especially seeing local hero Lauren Hemp in action. This has inspired the girls to watch the Lionesses regularly on TV as well as the FAWSL. We’re now really excited about this summer’s Euros.”
However, the exciting times for the club have certainly gone well beyond that one afternoon.
“It’s been a great season,” Ted smiled. “Player numbers have continued to rise at a very good rate. We added a new U7 boys team and two new girls teams at U8 and U9. We have new teams ready to go for the 2022/23 season. We’re hoping the Women’s Euros inspires some new girls to give football a go.”
The pandemic hit every grassroots club hard, and Bure Valley were no exception. “The challenges remaining from the pandemic are mainly financial. Our coffee shop has remained closed this season but with new confidence and Covid restrictions over, we’re hoping next season will see it fully operational. We’ve been very lucky attracting new sponsors to finance kit. Following Brexit, prices have risen sharply but we’ve managed to ride that storm.”
Whilst there have been challenges, there have been a large number of major successes for the club’s various teams during the season, as Ted explained.
“Our brand new U8s girls reached the Cup Final in their first season losing out to a very good Waveney side. Our U12s girls won the U12 B League to secure promotion, and our U13 Girls finished runners up in a very tough league.
“The rest of our teams all enjoyed plenty of matches, the first time in two years that full seasons were completed. All in all, it was a very successful season.”
Bure Valley has a successful relationship with tier five Eastern Regional Women’s Football League Premier side Wroxham which has now provided a pathway for Bure Valley youngsters to go on and potentially play senior football with the Yachtswomen. It is a partnership that is looking to get stronger for the next campaign.
“Lots of our families have enjoyed going to watch Wroxham Women play at Trafford Park,” said Ted. We’re now looking at a closer relationship as our players come to an end of youth football and look to progress to adult football. Announcements are due over the coming weeks.”
Whilst the future is looking rosy at Bure Valley, Ted is well aware that to grow further, there are challenges that need to be overcome, some of which are out of the club’s own control.
“We need more volunteers to get involved. We also need other clubs in the county to take the plunge and add new teams, especially at U7 and u8 girls. We’re improving our facilities all the time but there is still loads to do. Our aim is to create a safe, inclusive, fun environment for everyone to enjoy the beautiful game, so far it’s gone very well but we must continue to be the club that girls, in particular, want to join.
“Our main focus is continued growth. Our fantastic Mini Kickerz for kids aged three to six years of age is very successful with a clear pathway provided into League football. If new players continue to come to us we must be doing something right!”
impetusfootball.org 