Football For All
During the summer of 2003 open football training days were started every Saturday at The Oval, home ground of Eastbourne United AFC.
It was for youngsters within the local community to have the opportunity to experience training and playing in organised team football.
Although there were a few very good youth football clubs in Eastboune already, only one of the three senior clubs in the town had such an organisation affiliated to it.
Other areas of the town were well represented by other youth football clubs, but such a facility didn't exist where Eastbourne United's ground was located.
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The now Youth Development Officer(YDO), was convinced the formation of a club to provide this would be successful.
The YDO and his team of volunteers were determined to give the opportunity to youngsters in the locality the chance to experience training and playing organised team football in a safe and secure environment.
In the 2003-04 season ‘The Colts’ were able to enter 3 teams of Under 9’s, 10 and 11 teams into local leagues.
The club initiated a programme of all coaching personnel taking appropriate certificated FA coaching courses to further enhance and develop the level of capabilities they already have.
Progress has continued and for the 2007-08 season the club has expanded to 100+ boys and girls comprising of seven squads, ranging from Under 8 to 15's
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‘The Colts’ has always been a gender inclusive club, welcoming both boy and girl footballers.
As with many youth football clubs, the policy to include competitive female teams presents its own challenges which continue to be actively met.
‘The Colts’ have now been successful in begining this full inclusion policy by having a girl’s Under 15 team competing from the 2007-08 season, and looking to continue expanding the number of teams in all ages and gender.
From day one the club has been working toward the FA requirements to achieve Charter Standard Accreditation, with the aim to obtain this by the start of the 2008-09 season.
The club intends to continue with the progress already made in the development of players and coaching staff.
Further improvements are also planned in the club infrastructure and training facilities to assist bringing on the organisation as a whole to the position of being a long term sustainable force in Eastbourne youth football.