It’s time for an update on our youth training sessions and teams, which go from strength to strength.

Last Wednesday, we held a friendly between U8s players from our Forest Gate and Walthamstow training sessions. The first ever Spots E7 vs Strays E17 derby game!

Last weekend, two girls teams entered a tournament in Chingford, with the U11s team coached by Matt Bailey, of the men’s first team set-up, and U8s by new coach Marek Marczynski.

At the moment we have over 100 children attending three open training sessions each week across Forest Gate and Walthamstow.

Our sessions and teams are based on the belief that every child should be able to enjoy football, regardless of ability, gender and income. Our matches and training sessions are fun and inclusive and operate on a pay what you can afford policy.

At the Old Spotted Dog Ground there’s training on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Then at Wadham Lodge on Wednesdays, it’s our longest-running session, since April 2019.

We have five mixed teams at U7s, U8s, U10s, U12s and U14s age groups. The U7s compete in a league at Wanstead Flats while the U10s play in a Hackney Marshes league. The U8s, U12s and U14s play friendlies and tournaments. There are also girls teams at U8s and U11s made up of players who attend the Saturday Forest Gate session and the Wednesday E17 session.

Finally, our U16s girls and non-binary players’ session is looking to restart at the end of this month.

We are always on the look-out for new coaches and volunteers. Whether you’re a qualified coach, someone looking to gain your coaching badges or a complete newcomer interested in helping kids develop through sports – we need you. Please get in touch! youthtraining@claptoncfc.co.uk