Re: Kennet Valley Tournament 2009
02 Jul 2009

Hi Trevor

I thought that generally it was a well orgainsed event.

Parking facilities were good, and your programme and parking prices cheaper than other tournaments. It was nice to see a proper presentation stage and a PA, so that everyone could hear what was going on too.

The negatives? We were playing on the pitches on the lower level, which I understand was a last minute arrangement, with someone having dug up your pitches, but they were quite a way from the facilities and it was quite a hike to go to the loo, get a drink or take your score card in.

I must admit, although I made a joke of it, one of your organisers doing the managers meeting on the Saturday morning was very aggressive when talking about keeping your teams under control and I didn't feel it was very welcoming at all.

Anyway, overall no real complaints and as I said, a very well organised tournament.

Kind regards
Darren Thomas
South Reading Under 9s Manager

Re: Kennet Valley Tournament 2009
02 Jul 2009

Trevor,

Many thanks for another wonderful tournament - I know what it takes being involved in staging Thatcham Tornadoes Tournament. I don't think moving the pitches caused an issue - in fact I think there was more shade on the lower pitches.

My only observation would be to have some spare match balls available - once or twice balls from pitch 3 went over the perimeter fence!

Regards

John

Re: Kennet Valley Tournament 2009
02 Jul 2009

Trevor,

As usual your tournament went off very well, so congrats on that.

+ves
- organisation in general
- Playing pitch & layout. I actually liked the split as it split up the crowd and teams
- Bar (although I didn't use it)
- attitude of your team of organisers
- no major improvements, just tweaks.

Areas to improve on
- car parking: take money further in vs on the actual entrance. We were in early but I suspect there was a tail back later when the mass arrived.
- BBQ - Rolls were cold, making the food cold, It tasted as though the rolls had just thawed. In this instance should toast the rolls slightly - I had a few comments on the BBQ from parents re overcooked food or cold rolls etc.

Well done for a good tournament - you deserved to have good weather this year after the last couple of years.

Tony
Thatcham Town Girls, U13s Mgr.

RE: FW: Kennet Valley Tournament 2009
02 Jul 2009

Trevor,

Thanks for the e-mail I think I received all the pre tournament information but if I didn't I never noticed.

From my point of view the tournament was well run. Good standard of refereeing and agree with dropping the penalty shoot outs because it causes no end of stress for players/parents. There was plenty of parking spaces and general facilities for parents and players was excellent. We played on Pitch 6 and although some walk to Admin tent etc there was plenty of space for kids to run around and keep themselves amused between games. If all the matches were on the top pitches it may have been over crowded.

Thanks for a good tournament and we will definitely return next season.

Cheers,

Alan Haresnape

Thatcham Town Harriers U12

Re: Kennet Valley Tournament 2009
02 Jul 2009

Trevor
I was unable to attend however one of my coaches took the team and he mentioned to me that it was probabaly the best run 6-a-side we had been to in many a year.
The approach and friendly attitude of the helpers was immediately noticable and involving the referees in the Manager talk was a revelation.

We'll be back next year without a doubt!

Thank you and kind regards,

Gary Goodenough
Manager Under 15 'A'
Tadley-Calleva Youth FC
2008/09 Season