Champion volunteer helps set the standard for football in Bedfordshire
Seeing his son enjoy playing football for a club inspired Alan Watson to become a volunteer. Now Alan, who also works full time, fulfils a range of roles at Sandy Colts FC in Bedfordshire from coach to organiser, driver, fundraiser and schools liaison manager!
Alan Watson has thrown himself into volunteering in his adopted Bedfordshire, and into helping Sandy Colts FC grow and succeed. The club which was founded in 1973, is going from strength to strength, with successful teams for boys and girls between 8 and 16.
What does he do?
Alan and his fellow volunteers have helped Sandy Clubs attain the Charter Standard from the Football Association. The Charter Standard is a best practice guide that sets standards of coaching, administration and child protection for clubs working with young people, and is a benchmark for quality. As well as helping the club with administrative tasks and transport, Alan is an active coach and holds FA coaching qualifications. He is passionate about building on the club’s relationships with local schools. So much so that he took holiday from work, to help deliver hour long training and taster sessions at a schools event, that ran over several weeks.
Results
Sandy Colts FC is a dynamic and innovative club. In 1998, for the club Silver Jubilee Anniversary Alan organised an invitation only 11-a-side tournament which now runs every year. Training and development is of a high standard and Alan is also helping to drive girls’ football, which has proved to be huge success. He even arranged a trip up to Blackburn to watch the England Ladies in the Euro 2005.
Players and officials appreciate all of Alan’s efforts. Jean Holt, a ladies team member says “His enthusiasm for it is fantastic, despite the fact as a team we are pretty shocking he sticks at it and continues to give positive reinforcement and most of all keeps his sense of humour about him!”
“His organisational skills, and careful use of club finances are legendary;” says Mick Manners, club chairman.
Liaison work with local schools helps set the standard for partnerships in the county. The commitment shown by Alan and his fellow volunteers, week in week out, is admired by the players, parents, officials and Bedfordshire FA who all say “Thank you Alan and all our sports volunteers. You are all stars.”
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