UD SUMMER ROUND-UP!
Summer Term Round-Up!
As we approach the end of our Summer Term, it's the perfect time to look back and celebrate what has been a truly brilliant few months of football!
Summer Term is, without doubt, the happiest term of the year. The sun is out, the smiles are wide, and the football never stops - and this year was no different. From the very first session to the last, the energy across all our venues has been incredible.
With this being the final term of the 25/26 season, it was more important than ever that our players showed up, stayed committed, and kept developing - and that is exactly what they did. The dedication shown by every single UD player this term has been outstanding.
Our coaching focus for the Summer Term centred on small-sided games and game-realistic scenarios, with every session designed to mirror match conditions as closely as possible. Rather than isolating skills, we kept our key topics - dribbling, passing, finishing and defending - alive within the context of the game itself. This approach is not only hugely beneficial for player development, but it also makes every session incredibly enjoyable, keeping players engaged, motivated and hungry to improve.
As the Summer Term draws to a close on 12th July, we want to say a massive well done to every UD player and parent for an incredible 25/26 season. Your commitment, passion and support have made this year one to remember.
We cannot wait to see everyone back on the pitch in September for what promises to be an even bigger and better season ahead!As we approach the end of our Summer Term, it's the perfect time to look back and celebrate what has been a truly brilliant few months of football!
Summer Term is, without doubt, the happiest term of the year. The sun is out, the smiles are wide, and the football never stops - and this year was no different. From the very first session to the last, the energy across all our venues has been incredible.
With this being the final term of the 25/26 season, it was more important than ever that our players showed up, stayed committed, and kept developing - and that is exactly what they did. The dedication shown by every single UD player this term has been outstanding.
Our coaching focus for the Summer Term centred on small-sided games and game-realistic scenarios, with every session designed to mirror match conditions as closely as possible. Rather than isolating skills, we kept our key topics - dribbling, passing, finishing and defending - alive within the context of the game itself. This approach is not only hugely beneficial for player development, but it also makes every session incredibly enjoyable, keeping players engaged, motivated and hungry to improve.
As the Summer Term draws to a close on 12th July, we want to say a massive well done to every UD player and parent for an incredible 25/26 season. Your commitment, passion and support have made this year one to remember.
We cannot wait to see everyone back on the pitch in September for what promises to be an even bigger and better season ahead!
Summer End of Season Event Highlights
What an incredible day the 28th June turned out to be! Our Summer End of Season Event was everything we hoped it would be and more - a true celebration of football, community and 18 amazing years of United Dragons FC!
The day was designed with one thing in mind: giving every single UD player the freedom to enjoy the beautiful game on their own terms. With a carousel of activities on offer, players were free to jump in, explore and play whatever they wanted throughout the day. The atmosphere was electric from start to finish - the pitches were full of energy, the smiles were everywhere, and the football was flowing!
But beyond the activities, what made the day so special was the sense of community it brought together. Parents, players, coaches and families all in one place, united by a shared love of the club and everything it stands for. Moments like these remind us exactly why we do what we do - and after 18 years of building something truly special here at UD, it felt only right to celebrate it together.
Of course, no End of Season Event would be complete without our awards ceremony! To round off the day, we took the time to recognise and celebrate our incredible UD players - the standout performers, the most dedicated individuals, and those who have shown the kind of character and commitment that makes this club what it is. Every award was thoroughly deserved, and seeing the pride on the players' faces made it a moment to remember.
18 years of United Dragons FC. 18 years of football, passion and community. Here's to many, many more - and we cannot wait to do it all again in September!
Why are UD fees taken over the Summer Break?
As we all gear up for a great summer break, we wanted to quickly remind you how our membership payments work.
Our UD membership fee covers training across all 3 school terms (Autumn, Spring and Summer). To keep things simple and consistent for families, we spread those 3 term fees across 12 monthly payments:
Summer Term fee + Autumn Term fee + Spring Term fee / 12 months = UD monthly membership fee (Dave can you make this a simple graphic for me?)
This means your monthly payment is not linked to a specific number of sessions in that calendar month - it is your amortised fees that contribute towards the full year of coaching (on average around 42 weeks per year).
Don’t Break Up With Us Over Summer!
If you cancel your membership over the summer, it means you will have underpaid towards the full-year membership fee. It also means you would need to rejoin as a new member in September, including paying the joining fee again. If you’re unsure what to do, please reply to this email before making any changes and we’ll help you with the best option for your family.
SUMMER CAMPS GOING FAST!
Our 9 whopping UD Summer Camps started this Monday and we cannot wait to welcome you for a brilliant Summer of football, friends and fun.
A quick heads-up that places are now filling up really fast across multiple weeks. If you are planning to join us at any point over the holidays, please book your dates as soon as you can so you do not miss out. Reminder that all camp bookings are transferable if your plans change.
Quick Info
Dates: Mon 6th July to Fri 4th Sept (9 weeks)
Locations: Regent’s Park and Paddington Rec
Times: 10am to 3pm (optional 9am early drop-off)
Ages 4-16: full day or half day
Ages 2-3: half-day only
Booking options: weeks, days, or half-days
Plans change? Bookings are transferable
* Book Camp Weeks (Discounts Available)
https://www.abler.io/shop/united_dragons_fc%2Fholiday-camps/product/Q2x1YlNlcnZpY2U6NTc0Njg%3D
* Book Camp Days
https://www.abler.io/shop/united_dragons_fc%2Fholiday-camps/product/Q2x1YlNlcnZpY2U6NjA1MzQ%3D
* Book Half Days
https://www.abler.io/shop/united_dragons_fc%2Fholiday-camps/product/Q2x1YlNlcnZpY2U6NjA1MzE%3D
All Camp Info
https://www.uniteddragonsfc.com/football-camps-1
If you have any questions at all (best week to choose, age groups, kit to bring, or anything else), just let us know!
Last Call for Regents Park Youth League Places
This is the official final warning for league spots! We are making a last call for the upcoming autumn campaign in the Regents Park Youth League.
This message applies to both our fantastic existing players looking to renew and any new players hoping to wear the United Dragons badge for the first time!
Saturday mornings by the Hub are the highlight of our week, but squads are locking down rapidly. If you want to secure a definite place for the September launch, you must get in touch immediately. Spaces are capped to ensure quality squad sizes, and once they are full, we cannot add any late entries
St Albans Awards Day - Sunday 12th July
Join us for a brilliant end-of-term celebration at St Albans as we wrap up the last day of term with our Awards Day. Expect a fun, high-energy session with challenge pitches, races with prizes, and plenty of games for both parents and kids to get involved in.
We will be handing out certificates and medals to every child to celebrate their effort and progress this past year. Bring the whole family, bring your best energy, and let’s finish the term the right way.
We can’t wait to see you there!.
Futsal Summer Term Round Up! What a term it has been on the futsal court! Across both our Futsal Foundation and Futsal Development programmes, our players have shown incredible commitment and growth - and it has been a joy to watch!
Futsal Foundation
Our Futsal Foundation players have had a brilliant Summer Term, and the progress on the court has been fantastic to see!
With this being the final term of the season, the focus was on reinforcing the core principles of the game - and our younger players rose to the challenge superbly. Sessions centred on close control, individual technique and basic positional awareness, giving every player the tools they need to express themselves on the futsal court. Our coaches worked hard to keep the sessions dynamic and fast-paced, using small-court scenarios to encourage quick thinking, sharp movement and confident play in tight spaces.
The enthusiasm shown by every Futsal Foundation player this term has been nothing short of brilliant. It has been a pleasure to watch their confidence grow week on week, and we could not be prouder of how far they have come this season.
A huge well done to every Foundation player and parent - enjoy the summer break, and we look forward to taking your game even further in September!
Futsal Development
Our Futsal Development players have delivered a standout Summer Term, and the quality on display across sessions this year has been exceptional!
As the season entered its final stretch, our Development players pushed themselves technically and tactically, with sessions built around the key pillars of the futsal game - pressing and defensive transitions, pivot play and combination movements, and the ability to switch quickly between attack and defence. The court was buzzing each week as players applied these principles under pressure, making sharp decisions in tight spaces and demonstrating a real understanding of the game at a higher level.
The growth across the group this season has been outstanding. The technical detail, the tactical discipline and the sheer desire to keep improving right until the final session - it has all been a credit to every single Development player.
A massive well done to each and every one of you. Rest up over the summer, because September cannot come quickly enough!
GOSH x UD
What’s Worth Your Time? Help Us Plan GOSH Events You’ll Love!!
A huge thank you to every UD family who has donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital over the past year. Your generosity and support has been incredible, and we’re proud that together we’ve been able to contribute to such an important cause.
It’s also officially been a full year since we launched our GOSH partnership, and what a year it’s been. Thank you for getting behind it so wholeheartedly - we can’t wait for even more fun fundraising activities, events and challenges in the season ahead.
Please take a moment to fill in the short form below and tell us what kind of GOSH fundraising you’d actually be up for - mini tournaments, fun challenges, raffles, bake sales, or any other brilliant ideas. Help us plan the good stuff (and save us from guessing).
What Would You Show Up For?
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeWeZHeZCDuRU6pIb2DCgleZo4XLTUzIBrA5GJV65yYphwmKQ/viewform
St Albans 26/27 League Registration
A quick but important follow-up on St Albans 26/27 league registration. We are delighted to have been awarded our Watford Friendly Youth League teams for the upcoming season, and we now need all returning families to confirm their place so we can finalise squads and planning for September.
To keep squad sizes right and ensure fair playing time for every child, we will be closing registration once teams reach capacity. If you would like your child to be included for the 26/27 season, please complete your registration as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place.
Please use the link below to register and secure your child’s place today.
CTA: Register for Next Season! https://www.abler.io/shop/united_dragons_fc%2Fst-albans-league/product/Q2x1YlNlcnZpY2U6NTkxOTc%3D
Small-Sided Technical Training Round-Up!
Our Small-Sided Technical Training programme has had an outstanding Summer Term, and the individual growth we have seen from every player involved has been truly impressive!
What makes this programme so special is the environment it creates. With a 6-to-1 player-to-coach ratio, every single player receives a level of individual attention that is simply not possible in a larger group setting. That personal focus is at the heart of everything we do in these sessions, and the results speak for themselves.
Throughout the Summer Term, our coaches have been able to dedicate real time and detail to each player's individual development - identifying specific areas for improvement, delivering targeted coaching, and giving players the repetition and feedback they need to genuinely progress. Sessions were built around small-sided scenarios designed to challenge players technically, sharpen their decision-making in tight spaces and build confidence on the ball in game-realistic situations.
Whether it was close control, 1v1 skills, first touch or technical finishing, every player in the programme has been pushed to raise their own standards this term - and the improvements have been clear to see week on week.
The dedication shown by our Small-Sided Technical players this season has been fantastic. Choosing to invest in your individual development on top of your regular training is never easy, but every single player should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.
A brilliant season from a brilliant group - well done to every player and parent, and we look forward to continuing that individual journey in September!
Our 2026 Pre Season
What a brilliant month of football it has been across the club! Our pre season summer programme has been an absolute success so far, with a fantastic turnout across all age groups. We have packed the schedule with a massive volume of friendly matches against tough local opposition, and the energy out on the pitch has been electric.
The matchdays have brought some truly fantastic results from our U7s right through to our U15s. Watching the squads apply what they have practiced in training and translate it into high scoring wins and brilliant defensive displays has been incredibly exciting. To get the players to this level, our coaches have been running highly intense, fast paced training sessions designed to push everyone out of their comfort zones. We have been focusing heavily on rapid ball transition, quick decision making under pressure, and boosting core match fitness. The players have responded brilliantly, putting in maximum effort despite the summer heat. This hard work is laying the perfect foundation, and we are looking in fantastic shape as we prepare ourselves for the kickoff of next season.
Secure Your September Start: Kick Start Trials
We are also looking forward to welcoming a brand new wave of talent to the club through our 4-week kickstart programme from September. For the upcoming term, we are delighted to announce that we are allowing both completely new players and our existing club players to try out the kickstart programme this September!
Whether you are completely new to the United Dragons family or an existing player looking to add an extra development session to your weekly routine, now is the absolute best time to book. We are filling up our remaining slots for autumn trialists who want to hit the ground running. By booking in right now, you can secure a structured four-week trial process to ensure a smooth transition into our weekly sessions for when we return after summer. There is still a small amount of space available across various age brackets, so please head over to the website or contact the office today to lock in your trial dates before the summer break takes over.
CREATURE COMFORTS
From learning life-saving first aid skills to creating a one-of-a-kind keepsake with your pet, join our official partner, Creature Comforts Vets, for their series of free community events this month!
Pet First Aid & CPR Workshop
Join this hands-on workshop to learn how to respond to common pet emergencies like choking, cuts and more, and leave with the practical skills and confidence to handle the unexpected.
Creature Comforts Mill Hill - 13th July, 6.30–8pm
97-101 The Broadway, NW7 3TG
[RSVP HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeeM2SCZA21rZBkQ1JX54p4Q-_X8wgOyC6WzsclN2KOdlquzg/viewform?lid=nmr2vrgduteb]
Creature Comforts Chelsea - 21st July, 6.30–8pm
281 Fulham Road, SW10 9PZ
[RSVP HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf94b-tPb62k4vug21AeKirdjtMQK-94mZLqgK-rEPZc7QbDw/viewform]
Pet Pawtraits
Create a painted paw print on a personalised canvas with your furry friend - a lovely keepsake to take home. There'll be refreshments for humans and plenty of goodies for pets too.
Creature Comforts Muswell Hill 21st July, 6.30–7.30pm
190 Muswell Hill Broadway, N10 3SA
[RSVP HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFQHScLZpKohK5o7wtMyr2jJdjTKESekERoyMjykI_myG5-Q/viewform]
Women’s Team Update
We’re back. Pre-season is underway this month as we get ready for our first season in the Greater London Women’s Premiership after promotion and the squad is buzzing to put the work in ahead of a huge campaign. We’re still recruiting, so if you’re thinking about dusting off your boots, come and join a brilliant team with big ambitions and a proper exciting season ahead.
Girls Youth Update: Our youth teams have been flying since returning to pre-season a few weeks ago and are building nicely towards the Regents Park Youth League fixtures. The effort and energy from the girls has been class, and they’re all itching to get back into match action. We can’t wait to see them out there again soon.