NAJFC held their 15th Annual Presentation at our official home of Woodham Community Technology College on Saturday 30th June. Over 150 football players turned up throughout the day to be awarded individual participation trophies from their manager as a small recognition of their commitment throughout the season. All of the players looked smart in their formal club attire and took to the stage to collect their trophies. The stage looked better than ever this year with pop up banners purchased at a reduced cost from Newton Press.
Woodham CTC has been particularly supportive of the club in allowing us to use their indoor facilities to train and also have access to 9 pitches and during the presentation both Mr Morgan Assistant Headteacher and Mr Bickerdike Deputy Head both came along to support the day.  As a small gesture took NAJFC presented to Mr Morgans a cheque of £500 and the club  has received a thank-you from the school advising that this money will be set aside to invest in sports facilities.
A special thank you also to the committee members; Stuart Howe (Chairman), Michelle Acuna Ocana (Secretary), Mick Burnham (Treasurer), Nick Scott (Vice Chairman), Nigel Slatcher (Conduct Officer, Joe Petroczy (Parent Helper) who were there to set up and oversee that the day was a great success, A special thanks also to Tina Greaves for organising and selling more of NAJFC grand raffle tickets which  will be drawn on Friday 20th July and Vanessa Scott for producing 200 programmes to be sold on the day to raise more vital funds ready for the new season.
During the presentation the chairman Stuart Howe awarded  both Jack Slatcher (17yrs) and Tom Brazzel (18yrs) the chairmans’ award.  Both played for NAJFC in their earlier years.  Tom now helps to train the current under 13’s. Jack was chosen for his commitment to football becoming an FA qualified referee and has given up his time to referee many of the NAJFC games. Jack will also be back playing football next season in the under 18’ age group.
After the trophies were handed out a short DVD of each age groups seasons photos were shown.
However there was one DVD that was extra special; Colin Coulthard (u15’s manager/coach) had liaised with street kids in North Africa a charity that aims to give disadvantaged children who enjoy a game of football the chance to wear football strips something that previously they could only dream of.
Colin recieved this message “The lads sent their love to you.  To me and the boys you gave it away for a worthy cause.  With time, you will realise how much you are appreciated by the bunch. They send their love and I hope one day, your name will be written in my peoples history”.
What a fantastic gesture and one which will become regular with all of our old strips sent out to help this worthy cause.
NAJFC is a completely voluntary organisation and all of the committee, managers and coaches dedicate hours of their free time in order for the players to train and play at competitive level. This alongside work and family commitments, so a massive thank you goes to each and every one of them.
Many thanks to all of the sponsors throughout this season Solaskylights (u8s), Shafto Way Garage (u9J), Dalton Construction & Aldermans (U9J) Ebac (u10), Braddon Structures & Baltic Recruitment (u11), supplymatchteachers.biz (u12), Ross & Wright (u13), Splat (u14) and for the forthcoming season; Beanies (u6), AC Door Systems (u8), AC Aluminium (u11), Bengal Lounge (u14), Honest John & Hayes Travel (u16) and Plasmor (u18).
Many thanks also to our local newspaper Newton News for  their  free coverage throughout the season.
Looking forward to the 2012-2013 season whereby we have the development team moving up to u7’s and competing in both the TJFA and Russell Foster League.
We also have a new under 18’s team which will be an excellent addition and enable children to continue in their football for a further two years and hopefully feed into adults clubs in the area. Under 9’s and Under 12’s require new players for the forthcoming season if your child is starting in Year 4 and Year 7 in September and wish to meet new friends, develop their footballing skills and play in competive leagues then please contact the Club Secretary, Michelle on 07877 084831.