Our Patch Summer 2017 Hammersmith & Shepherds Bush | Page 8

Our Patch summer 2017
Even Eden Hazard began somewhere! Young players polish their ball skills an existing junior league in Chiswick before launching Shooting Starz, and organises sport in Ravenscourt Park.
“ It means we can do things slightly differently; having 50 minutes playing time, rather than 30,” he explained.
Of Horton and Garton’ s backing, he said it had given the club a real boost to be in partnership.“ John Horton is a always running around, like I am,” laughed Luke.“ We’ re both trying to do
The half-term camps are a great way for young players to make new friends and take part in a day of light-hearted fun
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football leagues guarantee 50 minutes of playing time for squads of up to eight children, competing in leagues organised by age, from Year 1 to Year 8.
Individuals are assigned to managed teams, but some teams come readyformed as groups of school chums.
All the football coaches who train the young footballers are FA qualified and first aid trained, and have coaching and playing experience at clubs including Premier League winners Chelsea and QPR. The Friday night High 5ives netball league, in the new facilities at the Park Club, is also for squads of up to eight youngsters, with 50 minutes playing
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time guaranteed for all abilities on the club ' s new 3G floodlit pitches. These are the same type Chelsea FC players use for training.
“ We have league tables, promotions and relegations,” said Luke.“ It’ s competitive, but in a very supportive environment.”
The netball sessions are development-based, with the focus on improving core skills including ball handling and positioning.
Luke originally worked with good things in the community.”
Although Shooting Starz runs on a subscription system, Luke provides a limited number of fully funded places for children whose families can demonstrate need, and who would otherwise not be able to participate in the sports teams.
The club also organises holiday camps( during Easter, 160 young sports enthusiasts took part every day), midweek and weekend sessions, working in more than 20 local schools and teaching just about all sports to west London youngsters … all with a sporting, friendly outlook.
The half-term netball camps are a great way for young players to make new friends and take part in a day of light-hearted netballing fun. Shooting
Starz participates in the Middlesex, Harrow and Surrey Youth junior football leagues, with teams from U6-U14 fully affiliated to the FA. Several Shooting Starz youngsters have already made the switch into professional clubs, to take their footballing skills to the next level.
As well as the league and summer camp activities, Shooting Starz also organises sports parties for children’ s birthdays, supplying trained coaches and equipment to make any outdoor knees-up go with a swing. For more details, call Luke on 07506 585956 or email admin @ shootingstarz. co. uk