While the Innishvilla
Youths Teams are doing very well at present the feeder ranks (kids under 10 years of age) to the Youth Teams of the future
are very busy and active.
Innishvilla will take
on any children who have reached the age of seven for training on Saturday mornings. There is a panel of six parents who look
after the training (all these parents have kids involved so there is an obvious level of commitment) and there is no shortage
of enthusiasm from the kids.
There are 63 boys and
1 girl registered with the club all of whom were born since the start of 1994. We have been off training since November for
the winter but we plan to return at the start of February and there have been many enquiries from parents over Christmas to
register their interest in sending new recruits for Saturday morning exercise!
As at November 2004 we
had the following age profile of children at Saturday morning training:
Born in 1994
20
Born in 1995
17
Born in 1996
19
Born in 1997
8
While we are not involved
in any organised leagues for these kids we have partaken in many challenge matches throughout the year against the likes of
Cobh Ramblers, Bandon, Kinsale, Clonakilty and Avondale. We have shown much promise and capability in all of our matches and
have a very successful track record.
For the past number of
years Innishvilla have been involved in a kid’s soccer competition hosted by Kinsale as part of their summer regatta
week. On 31st July 2004 Innishvilla fielded 4 teams for this Soccer-Fest at 10-year-old, 9-year-old, 8-year-old
and 7-year-old levels. It was a fantastic day of entertainment enjoyed by a large crowd of enthusiastic parents from the Innishannon-Kinsale
area. Innishvilla took the honours at the 10,9 and 8 year old levels and the under 7 team lost their game on penalties after
a thrilling 1-1 draw.
Overall there is a very
strong and vibrant club in existence in the 7-10 year old level. The enthusiasm is huge and the entertainment level is great…….just
attend a Saturday morning session and watch 50+ kids enjoy themselves for an
hour without a TV or a Gameboy in sight!