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LAURA SMITH WORKING WITH CLUBS
Roger Allen • Feb 05, 2021
Laura Smith is an F.A. Consultant who has recently started working with Sydenhams league clubs in order to create the best place for people to play and enjoy football. Focusing on “off pitch” activities, the F.A. programme is set up to support & advise clubs to develop their facilities, financial management, governance structure, legal status, marketing & communications, commercial strategies, accessing funding and more!
Following a successful pilot scheme in 2018/19, the programme has expanded each season since then and now includes over 100 clubs including those playing from Step 3 and below, including grassroots and youth football and also clubs playing in the Women’s Championship. Recently, leagues providing football at steps 3-6 have also been invited to join the programme hence why plans are being developed to support the Sydenhams League and it’s member clubs.
Laura would be delighted to hear from clubs playing within the Sydenhams League who may need support, guidance or someone to discuss an idea with. She can be reached on laurasmith080303@gmail.com
or 07851 445704.
Laura started work in Sports Development across Surrey & Hampshire before moving to Rushmoor Borough Council. She then moved to North West Surrey initiating school-club link programmes with local sports clubs, organising competitions, accessing funding and engaging with National Governing Bodies of Sport to provide CPD for teachers.
After leaving the Schools Sports Partnership in 2012, she took the role of Director & Chief Executive of Suffolk F.A. until 2017 when she became Chief Executive of Aldershot Football Club.
Prior to working in Football Development, Laura had a playing career at Millwall & Wimbledon before her career was ended by injury.
The League is pleased to be working with Laura & would encourage clubs to contact her to tap into her extensive experience to develop their off-field activities.
Hamble Club etched their name on the Velocity Wessex League Cup for the first time after beating AFC Portchester 2-0 in the final. PROGRAMME DOWNLOAD - VELOCITY WESSEX LEAGUE CUP FINAL
Millbrook have won promotion to the Velocity Wessex League Premier Division after beating Downton 3-1 in their play-off final at Test Park on Saturday. A crowd of 532 witnessed the visitors take an early lead through Ollie Davies, before Jamie White turned the game on its head - first with a penalty just after the half-hour, and then finding the net once more prior to the interval.
Hamworthy Recreation completed a league-and-cup double in defeating Premier Division side, Shaftesbury, in the final of the Dorset Senior Cup on Tuesday evening. Tyler Rudd (2) and Eddie Hodge put the Division One champions three to the good within an hour, before Brett Pitman pulled on back for Shaftesbury - who can be consoled in claiming a promotion of their own, having won the Premier Division play-offs just days prior. Elsewhere, Millbrook will host Downton in the Division One play-off final on Saturday after both came through their semi-final ties in midweek against Fleetlands (5-1) and Alresford Town (2-0), respectively. The IOW Gold Cup will be contested between Newport IOW and Cowes Sports - both seeing off Isle of Wight League opposition in Brading Town and Shanklin. The final takes place on Friday, May 10 at Westwood Park (7.30pm). While in the Portsmouth Senior Cup, Portsmouth's Academy edged out Fleetlands 4-5 on spot-kicks after the sides drew 2-2 in normal time at Powder Monkey Park. Pompey will now visit Gosport Borough (09/05) for the right to face Royal Navy FA in the final at Baffins Milton Rovers on May 15. Bank Holiday Monday sees the Wessex League Cup Final take place at AFC Portchester - the Royals taking on Hamble Club (3pm). Entry at the OnSite Group Stadium is £8 (adults) and £4 (concessions) with a printed programme, £2 available at the turnstile.
**UPDATED** The Division One play-offs have been confirmed as follows: Tuesday April 30 Millbrook (5) Fleetlands (1) 7.45pm k.o Wednesday, May 1 Downton (2) Alresford Town (0) 7.45pm k.o Saturday May 4, 3pm Millbrook v Downton
Brett Pitman was one the mark once again to ensure Shaftesbury claimed a promotion berth at the expense of play-off hosts, AFC Stoneham. Pitman's solitary strike proved to be decisive in the Premier Division play-off final on Saturday, to give the Rockies a narrow 1-0 victory - the talisman's 61st goal in all competitions. Our congratulations to Shaftesbury on achieving Step 4 football for the first time.
The Premier Division play-offs have been confirmed following Saturday's results . Tuesday, April 23 (7.45pm) AFC Stoneham v Baffins Milton Rovers Wednesday, April 24 (7.45pm) Shaftesbury v AFC Portchester Saturday, April 27 (3pm) Final (To be played at the highest placed club within the regular season) Photo: Robin Caddy
