Charlton Community Trust - Summer Football Courses

valleyman1973

Have any of you taken your children to any courses run by the community trust?

My wife took my son to a 3-4 year old course at Mottingham yesterday. This was the email that I subsequently sent to the community trust last night.

Unfortunately this is an email of complaint. My wife took my 3 year old son to the sports centre this morning. Her observation from their experience today was that it was so disorganised. They were moved from one place to the next and the centre didn't know that there was going to be any courses being run, in all my wife said they were moved 3 times. She also said that there didn't seem to be any structure to the session.

She also said to her horror that 3 and 4 year olds were split into teams for a game and that older siblings that were with other parents joined in too. Their age groups were 6-11. Now that isn't on, my wife said that they were quite aggressive in the way they play football and because of this my son didn't join in and as a parent of a 3 year old I wouldn't want him to.

I booked my son in for the 10th and 13th and had paid in advance. My son was so excited as we are all Charlton fans and this was going to be his first football course, but he doesn't want to come back for the other days.

Its a shame really as we take our son to Socatots, learning football the brazilian way and teaching technique over 'power' football as well as teaching him colours, counting etc. This charlton course could be so much more with more thought and planning put into it.

I would like a response and also a refund of £12 for the two days that we won't be attending as my son didn't get anything from today.

Do these coaches on these courses have any qualifications to run a course?

ken from bexley

I am surprised . although it has been a fair few years since my lads went on the course.

I cannot speak for Charlton but all the coaches were FA qualified, and have to be vetted for child protection.

I can only speak through our experiences from 6 onwards, but having organised a school to,participate through Charlton they had an excellent scheme,which is regarded as one of the blueprint of it's kind at the FA. ( in fact my lads got there FA coaching baddges through Charlton at Spaerrows Lane)

Jason Morgan is the man. Send him a constructive email of your experiences I am sure he will reply.

AFKABartram

The coaches appointed for courses should be of Level 2 standard, though i'm not sure if the same applies to the Toddlers bracket.

The courses at that level should be formatted on structured, fun exercises working on skills and co-ordination, and certainly not in game form. And the fact 11yr olds were allowed to join in is ridiculous.

These type of courses are only ever as good as the instructors taking the course. We have always been so good in that respect and its a real shame to see that the standards may have dropped (in this instance). Particularly as there is a hell of a lot more competition now locally than there ever was.

You complaint seems justified to me, and i hope its followed through. The people taking that course seem ill-qualified based on what you say.

valleyman1973

I've just had an email reply

Thanks for your email; I am sorry that your son did
not enjoy the course, and I will investigate the problems you have
highlighted, as this is not the way things are delivered at here at Charlton
Athletic Community Trust, I will ensure that a refund is sent out to you.

Thanks

ValleyGary

Obviously a very justified complaint and its good to see the club have responded.

In regards to coaching badges, i believe that trying to take sessions for kids aged 3-4 is a completely different ball game. I am qualified at Level 2 and worked with Arsenal at Schools around the Bexley area and the youngest we went to was 6. Any younger and i feel like it requires specialised teaching.

Curb_It

Althought you're complaints are very justified its a shame to see the scheme club getting a public slagging. When it has such a good reputataion.

Glad to see he's answered your complaint and will be refundimg the money. I feel uncomfortable with having someones name put up on here tho.

valleyman1973

Yes the clubs community scheme has a good reputation but is always open to improvement and perhaps they are taking their eye off the ball.

Sometimes things have to be said and I was just interested in finding out other peoples experience that perhaps my son's day was a one off

(Name edited off email)

Henry Irving

If you had a bad experience then you are right to complain. As you say how can they improve if you don't tell them.

Much better than just moaning on here as you have got a reply and a refund and with luck the person who emailed you (one of the most senior people) will now investigate and act.

My son's been on a few courses and he's always enjoyed them. To me they seemed well structured and organised but that doesn't excuse them getting it wrong on your course.

Saga Lout

Both my sons went on these courses and they were great, but that was a few years ago (they're now 20 & 23 years of age!). It would be sad if the standards have dropped.

falconwood_1

My 2 boys go to Crook Log and it is the best thing ever.

The coaches are brilliant (especially the main guy, Wayne).

They take no nonsense and also look after the kids welfare.

I always take a pop at Charlton when they make a mess of things, but the Community Scheme is the one thing I'll jump up and back all the way. I was always sceptical (hate the word 'Community') but seeing the hard graft and the genuinely well run way the courses have been for 4 years now for my boys I coudnt recommend them more highly.

Wish the bleedin 1st team was!