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OUR JOURNEY SO FAR

THE FOUNDING OF TONDU UNITED FC

MAY 2017 

Following on from the success of the Welsh national team during the summer of 2016, we were inspired to create more opportunities for children to get into sport and get hooked on football from a young age, resulting in the founding of Tondu United Football Club. Joe Powton, club secretary, set out an initial five-year vision to raise standards and opportunities within the community with regards to football, getting children in younger and to improve the quality of the coaching and setup for all of the current players.

SEASON ONE

(2017/18)

FAW Accreditation Level: Standard
No. of Members: Start 9 / End 65
No. of Coaches: Start 4 / End 12

Highlights from the 17/18 season:
- Becoming a strong part of Bridgend Football.
- Success & growth of the club in first season.
- First round of events including Christmas Party and Annual Awards Ceremony.
- Various partnerships confirmed, including Game On Wales and Swansea City Community Trust.
- Securing various sponsors and funding pots.

SEASON TWO

(2018/19)

FAW Accreditation Level: Bronze
No. of Members: Start 78 / End 145
No. of Coaches: Start 15 / End 25

Highlights from the 18/19 season:
- First club in Bridgend football to acheive Bronze Accreditaiton.
- Launch of various new programmes including Mini Magpies, walking football and girls only teams.
- Delivery of in-school programmes and festivals in partnership with the FAW Trust.
- Club growth - doubling in size from where we were at the end of previous season.
- Membership to the FAW Red Wall scheme for member matchday ticketing benefits.
- Selected by the FAW Trust as part of their 'More Than A Club' programme. 

JULY 2019

WINNERS!!

FAW/MCDONALDS WINNER OF 'GRASSROOTS PROJECT OF THE YEAR'

SEASON THREE

(2019/20)

FAW Accreditation Level: Silver
No. of Members: Start 204 / End 243
No. of Coaches: Start 32 / End 38

Highlights from the 19/20 season:

- First club in Bridgend football to acheive Silver Accreditaiton.
- Sign on day, implementation of new structures and processes within the club.
- Introduction of new club 'Centre Circle' membership portal.
- First time club has had a junior side representing in competitive football.
- Official partnership with the Jacob Abraham Foundation.

SEASON FOUR

(2020/21)

FAW Accreditation Level: Silver
No. of Members: Start 263 / End 298
No. of Coaches: Start 41 / End 44

Highlights from the 20/21 season:
- A season lost to Covid-19
- Lots of lockdown initiatives, activities, competitions and gifts for our members.
- Safe delivery of sessions where possible.
- Addition of three more girls-only teams.
- Large amount of coaches completed 'Disability Inclusion Training' and progressed with FAW/UEFA qualifications.
- Partnership with Football Fiesta.

SEASON FIVE

(2021/22)

FAW Accreditation Level: Platinum
No. of Members: Start 318 / End TBC
No. of Coaches: Start 46 / End TBC

Highlights from the 21/22 season so far:
- One of few clubs in Wales to achieve Platinum status under the newly launched FAW accreditation scheme.
- Split of mini age groups (U7 & U8) to allow for both Saturday and Sunday fixtures allowing players to do both football and rugby.
- Addition of new U7 girls team.
- Christmas parties for all members.
- Sponsored TUFC van to aid our marketing strategy and improve storage/logistical operations.

OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Comments from our Club Founder and Secretary Joe Powton

We are driven to succeed, and to create some potential future stars of the next generation, but to do that we need to hit our primary objective of getting as many kids playing and enjoying the sport as possible. We would like to think that all children have a dream of playing for Wales and being the next Gareth Bale or Jess Fishlock, but right now the only thing they want is the correct environment with the correct coaches to be able to have fun and enjoy the game.

Our vision incorporates a full club philosophy and way of thinking, which isn’t all about winning and striving to win, but to ensure all players have equal opportunity to succeed and develop, with this in mind a ruling across the board that every player will be guaranteed at least a set amount of game time which would be set and agreed with the coach. This model is not universally accepted by all of the coaches who are absolutely determined to win the local under 12’s league or cup competition, which is apparently the most important thing, but when you talk to the players, the one thing they don’t like is going to training on a weekly basis and working their hardest like everyone else, to stand on the sidelines and get no game time, or at best get five minutes on a weekend. These children have signed up to play football, not just train for football, so we have to create opportunities and let them play.

To all the parents worried about what level of ability your child has or what their role would be on a specific team, may you allow perspective in your thoughts and actions that no matter what team they are placed on or what their role ends up being, it is still a great privilege to be a part of this sport in any capacity. Children develop at different stages and must be given the opportunity to shine. There are some kids who would give ANYTHING to be a part of it, yet for one reason or another, they can't, whether that be money, logistics, geographic restrictions, lack of support, resources in their area, or health to name a few. So instead of worrying about their ability, what team or what role, focus on what IS present for your child, the opportunities to learn, love, and grow into the next chapters of their lives. Don't let the "level" that they are at in comparison to others they play with dictate the value of your child or the joy they get to have from their experience. Let them see you celebrate their accomplishments as part of a big journey, not as a snapshot in time that completely stops all other things.

The minutes, hours, years you have to be a part of it are limited. Make them good and enjoy the huge privilege it is to watch your child walk onto that pitch to do what they love.

“A great pianist does not run around the piano or do push-ups with the tops of his fingers to be great, he plays the piano.”

"Football has to be FUN for kids or it doesnt make sense."

"Sometimes it's better to let them make a mistake, sometimes they learn more from the mistake than being told what to do."

THE COACHES


We will have a measurement for all of our coaches as to how many children come back to be coached by them next year, rather than how many leagues or competitions they have won because essentially there can only be one winner of any league and someone is going to win it, but the more kids they can retain who believe they have improved, they’ve provided a great environment that’s given them a love of the game and a want to come back, then they’ve done their job.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

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UNDER 4'S TO UNDER 14'S

We've had the most successful first four years as a club, and now have programmes catering for children aged three to 14, with over 360 young players receiving quality, relevant and fun training sessions on a weekly basis, all in a safe environment with FAW/UEFA qualified & DBS checked coaches.

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NEW PLAYERS WELCOME

We are committed to increasing participation in sport and of course football in particular. We are always open to new players joining the club. If you are interested in your child joining any of our sessions, please get in touch about a FREE taster session.

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INCLUSIVE - OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL

We have an open door approach at Tondu United Football Club where we welcome all children, regardless of ability, experience, gender or anything else you may think of, we will always try our best to accommodate for each individual.

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TIME INVESTED IN COACH DEVELOPMENT

As much as we are all about the focus on development being towards the children, we also have a supportive view towards our volunteer coaches and their development too. Each coach can access our 'coaches of the future' funding pot to access all levels of coach education, right up to UEFA A Licence.

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ENVIRONMENT FOR LEARNING & FUN

All of our coaches will aim to create the correct environment suited to the needs of the players. It is important that the environment allows players to feel safe and comfortable in their surroundings, allowing them to challenge themselves and try new things without fear of failure. Our coaches will always try to adapt their delivery styles and methods to meet the needs of all players.

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DEVELOP PLAYERS AS INDIVIDUALS

Although we would like to see our club win leagues and competitions and be well represented within Welsh football, we do not see this as our main priority. Whilst working as a team is important, getting children hooked on football and supporting their individual needs comes first, looking at improving children in all areas (both on and off the pitch) before worrying about overall team performance.

Address

Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen, Tondu,
Bridgend, CF32 9EL

(Please note: This is not
a postal address)

Contacts

Email: info@TonduUnited.co.uk                     
Phone:
07730 437124
(Club Secretary)