Dunmow Rhodes Youth Football Club are celebrating a remarkable 2006/07 season with an open day at the club on Saturday. Everyone is welcome to take part in a fun football tournament, bounce on an inflatable castle or enjoy the barbecue and beer tent at th

Dunmow Rhodes Youth Football Club are celebrating a remarkable 2006/07 season with an open day at the club on Saturday.

Everyone is welcome to take part in a fun football tournament, bounce on an inflatable castle or enjoy the barbecue and beer tent at the Recreation Ground from 9.30am.

Whether you are a parent with a budding young footballer, or have an interest in managing or coaching at youth level, committee members, managers and coaches will be available to discuss in more detail how the club works.

Rhodes, which caters for both boys and girls from age six through to senior football, saw 12 competitions won by teams last season. Six of the 12 Rhodes teams playing competitive football did the league and cup double - a club record!

In mini-soccer, both under eights teams did the double, as did the under nines and the under 10s Tigers. On the 11-a-side pitch, the under 12s Lions added to the haul with their own double, swiftly followed by the under 13s Tigers, getting their double in their first season in a new league.

Dunmow Rhodes Youth FC was originally formed in 1975 with the aim of providing football facilities for the youth of Great Dunmow and the surrounding villages.

Today the club provides those facilities for 200 local children. In addition, there is a senior team and a related veteran section.

Throughout this time many people have been involved in growing and developing the club into what it has become today - and all unpaid volunteers.

The club is funded by parent subscription, sponsorship and grants. Every penny of income is spent on the children. The committee, managers and coaches are entirely voluntary and give their time completely freely.

Rhodes are proud of its FA Charter Standard, which is awarded to clubs that meet a stringent standard in terms of administration, coaching and child protection.

The club provides full support for all coaches and managers to become at least FA Level One coaching qualified, and all managers and coaches are CRB checked. This is to guarantee that children can enjoy their football in a safe environment based upon sound coaching techniques and friendly encouragement.

Rhodes chairman and under 13s manager Russ Alexander said: "We as a club place a strong emphasis on sportsmanship, teamwork, and learning how to deal with success and failure.

"Our players are encouraged to be sporting and respectful at all times. Most importantly, we believe that the sport of football is there to be enjoyed by all players without fear of criticism or pressure to win.

"Given that the club does not have a 'winning is everything' mentality, last season's success owes much to the quality of coaching provided at Dunmow Rhodes. In short, happy players tend to learn faster and win more games."

If you are interested in joining the club, but can't make the open day, which is also going to act as a registration day, call Russ Alexander on 07712 894956.