David Parry's New Year thoughts on the role of the Saints

A number of Audlem residents and personalities have given Audlem Online their thoughts about the village in 2007. Today, David Parry, who is heavily involved in the Audlem Saints under 8s football team, and who writes the weekly reports for Audlem Online on the Saints' matches, gives his thoughts for the New Year.

"Audlem Saints U8s football team is a fabulous example the qualities that make Audlem so special:-

Community involvement and volunteers – The team is an offshoot of the Saturday morning coaching sessions, which offers qualified coaching from local volunteer coaches for around 60 children aged 5-16.

Village events benefitting villagers – The team shirts were generously provided by ASET and carry the ASET logo- what a fabulous way to spend some of the money generated by events enjoyed by so many village residents.

Local support for local activity – The team itself is made up of 10 boys who all live in Audlem, 9 of whom are in year 3 of Audlem St James school with the tenth attending Wybunbury School.

Pride in the village – The boys represent the village with a genuine feeling of village support. They are regularly being encouraged by local residents and shopkeepers who have no direct involvement, just a desire to see the village well represented.

The team has been playing together for just over a year and they have a tremendous sense of team spirit. They are being taught to respect and help each other, to work together and to make decisions for themselves. Regardless of results and trophies in the short term, the real measure of the success of this team will be in the long term.

Nothing would give the Audlem Saints' coaches greater pleasure than to see the boys retain the pride in the village and sense of team and community spirit that they have now, into adulthood. If they do, then the village has an assurred and bright future....and a fabulous football team!!!"

David Parry

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.