Sport and Wellbeing 3D Dynamos News by Steve Laithwaite, Neil Beevor and Tom Mcdermott Young Dynamos Take First Footballing Steps 3D Dynamos entered three under-7 teams into the East Manchester Junior Football League for 2018 / 2019 season.The matches, played at Curzon Ashton on a Sunday morning, allow the young players to continue the fifine work they’ve done over the last 18 months at our club Soccer School with Mark Aston, only this time in a more ‘competitive’ environment.While the ethos of the club at this level is very much about enjoyment, the boys have adapted particularly well to the new format of match based games against different teams. Under 7 Yellows – Barry McManus McManus’s team are developing well in the league games and have progressed in the cup competition, and have managed to overcome varying challenges each week by playing some exciting football and scoring plenty of goals in the process. Barry was the fifirst of the new coaching team to complete his FA Level One badge. Under 7 Blues - Jamie Edmondson and Jonny Fielding Placed in a very strong league the management duo worked tirelessly with the lads on some of the basics of the game at training.The team have not only recently picked up on their performances, but have also seen one of their players invited to attend the Manchester City Academy at the Etihad complex. Under 7 Reds - Paul White and Tom McDermott The Reds have enjoyed a mixed start to the season and the youngsters flflew out of the blocks in September.After some really good performances, the East Manchester League rewarded them with promotion to a more competitive division with teams of the Reds standard; effectively a double promotion.A disappointment in the cup and some stiffer tests haven’t deterred the side and they remain hopeful of rediscovering their early season form in the coming months. Open Age Dynamos Reversing the Decline At a time when more people are consuming and obsessing over professional football through the Premier League than ever before, the numbers of adults participating in grassroots football continues to decline at a signifificant rate year on year.At a time when there has never been more money flflowing through the professional game, adult grassroots football is facing a crisis.The problem is multi-layered and has many causes, but is starting to coalesce into a perfect storm – and not just because of the appalling weather that leads to numerous postponements. The Football Association, the game’s governing body has recognised this decline and created a funding scheme to aid the retention of adult male teams within grassroots football clubs. The fund has been created to boost football’s traditional format following a recent decrease in the number of adult male FA-affifiliated grassroots league teams. Retain the Game, which is funded by The FA and delivered by the Football Foundation, is making grants available to existing grassroots football clubs to enable them to continue offering valued playing opportunities in organised football. 3D Dynamos Football Club have secured this grant funding for the 2018 / 2019 season which will serve a useful purpose in the running costs of adult football.The Club’s sole aim was to maintain the current status quo of two adult teams, but this has been surpassed by the creation of an additional team for the current season due to the increasing number of players attending training and registering to play for the club.All three teams play in the Huddersfifield and District Football League, the First team currently in Division 3, the Reserves in Division 3 Reserves and the A team in Division 4. In excess of 50 players are playing adult grassroots football within their community club. Joining 3D Dynamos For more than a quarter of a century, 3D Dynamos have grown to the point where we now have 18 successfully run teams, ranging from the Soccer School (age 4-6), through to Open Age, and Veterans (Over 35’s). Each of our teams is run by FA qualifified coaches and our mission is to continue to provide our local community with a facility for the promotion of football for all age groups, with a particular emphasis on developing skills and enjoyment in youth football. We are always on the lookout for new additions and warmly welcome new players of all ages from the Saddleworth and surrounding areas. If you’re interested in joining one of our teams, or would like to volunteer and help out with coaching and/or running the club - please email Lesley Milne our club secretary: lesley.milne123@btinternet.com, or call our Chairman Carl Hirst on 07773 036593. AS SEEN ON MAKE YOUR CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT MORE FUN! TRY RUGBYTOTS Our dynamic weekly play sessions enable boys and girls aged 2–7 to develop their social and physical skills in a fun, positive environment. For more details, just call or email. 0345 313 0285 nicola@rugbytots.co.uk rugbytots.co.uk The world’s favourite rugby play programme 94 www.AroundSADDLEWORTH.co.uk