Our charity partners, in which we wear their logo proudly, Alive and Kicking is the world’s only not-for-profit ball manufacturer. Their centres across sub-Saharan Africa create hundreds of ethical jobs for adults facing disadvantage. Profits from balls sales and additional fundraising give young people access to sport and health education through A+K ball donations and the delivery of effective sport based health programmes.

“For a goalkeeper, there is no hiding place.” Brad Friedel, former premier league and USA goalkeeper.

“Goalkeeping is just different. Everyone says we’re crazy or something. But it’s more a case of us working under different pressure, thinking about the game differently.” Asmir Begovic, Former Premier League and Bosnian International goalkeeper.

2020 hasn’t been what everyone expected, however rather than accepting defeat, we have had one of our most amazing years to date.

With 2020 coming to a close, we thought it would be important to reflect on the amazing progress that our UD players have made across a year filled with distractions and long periods of no football.

Welcome to our new UD Community newsletter, which focuses on what the parents of our club are up to and how you might be able to get involved! First up is Laurence and her app concept ONE-MENU!

Who better to tell us their best UD moments than some of United Dragons’ finest young players! I am delighted to say we have interviewed three players; Gabriel, Sarah and Nikko. Read their stories below:

In youth football, players often get placed in positions based on their physical attributes – the speedy child more often than not is a winger or striker, the tall kid is a defender or goalkeeper, and so on. These generalisations can be very detrimental to the development of the player.

‘He is definitely a defender’ - ‘She is unquestionably our striker’ - How many times have we heard this in grassroots football?

Throughout the league season, the United Dragons League Managers have been taking notes on each individual player after each game, focusing on strengths and areas of development.
We are constantly assessing each child and are frequently thinking about ways in which to accelerate the development of all players.

Every Saturday morning, I travel to Regents Park and I think to myself, how can I get the best out of the players in today’s match? What can I say to them that will have a positive effect on their performance? Often the answer isn’t in words, it’s in silence.

I think as coaches we should not be afraid of talking about winning. It is part of their development and progression as children grow up. It is vitally important we teach our children how to win as well as how to lose; children often learn much more about themselves in defeat than in victory.

With Lockdown 2.0 putting a sudden halt to all organised sport, it is more important than ever we keep our children physically active, socially engaged and mentally healthy.
Sport has the power to enrich so many lives, raise self-esteem and confidence which in turn can lead to life long lasting skills.

talkDRAGONS will publish our very own thought provoking weekly blog based on topical football issues surrounding youth Football and Futsal.
These blogs will attempt to dissect youth Football and raise awareness of key factors that influence our game; such as, nutrition, psychology, tactical awareness in Football.