Tigers Junior Football Club - Wildcats

Hi everyone, Ruby here. Hope you're enjoying the last couple of weeks of the summer holidays and are looking forward to going back to school, I'm looking forward to starting a new school year. 

Last year during the summer holidays, I decided I would like to join a football team. I had a bit of experience from being part of my school football team but wanted to develop my skills set. My mum found a local team under Tigers girls and I started to train with them twice a week but due to Covid restrictions the training wasn't as regular. Unfortunately, that team had to fold so I was a bit disappointed. However, under the Tigers umbrella I was able to join the Wildcats, where I was able to train with a group of girls who enjoy football.

The Weetabix Wildcats is for girls aged 5-11, who are willing to make new friends, play football, have fun and potentially join a team. Due to the large number of girls that played in my age group, Tigers was able to form another team that would be competing in league and cup games this upcoming season. So even if you want to attend for fun or for the opportunity to get into a team, it's a great way to spend Saturday mornings.

My experience of the Wildcats was really enjoyable, I learnt lots as the coaches were always willing to help and give tips. I was made to feel extremely welcome by Keith and Terry and all the team members so if you do feel a bit nervous; don't be as it's very encouraging. During my time at Wildcats, we did mini drills, such as rotating and passing, and my first session was a mini tournament, where we even got to play against an established team, which was exciting. I enjoyed having older girls, help coach as the group can aspire to them, that could be us when we're older!

"Best foot forward"

Ruby Xx

Ruby's verdict: 10/10

Overall experience: It was a fun and educational experience as I was learning new skills every Saturday and improving as a player.

Price: First taster session is free, then, £1.50 per session

Fun factor: Learn skills from drills.

Contact: www.tigersjfc.com 

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Home Pitch Locations.

Bretons Outdoor Recreation Centre

Rainham Road

Hornchurch

RM13 7LL

Fun fact: Tigers JFC is one of the largest youth football clubs in Essex!

Alpaca Walk

Hi everyone, it's me Ruby. This week in the wilderness of the beautiful Essex countryside me, my nan and grandad went on an alpaca walk, it was great to combine the exercise of brisk walking with something fun! My grandparents go on a long walk everyday so I was hoping I could keep up with them!

To start, members of staff introduced us to the eight male alpacas that would be doing the walk with us. Our alpaca was called Opal and his best friend Smoky Quartz, who was in front as they were both born near the same time. Rupert, who was the oldest, is 13 years old so he had to lead the pack. Unfortunately, under 14s cannot hold the alpaca but it's definitely still worth the experience because you can walk alongside. Throughout the walk the alpacas would stop to eat from the bushes. Fun fact: alpacas can eat stinging nettles.

After the walk, which lasted roughly an hour, we visited the billy goats and we could feed them a branch of leaves. The guide explained the history of the goats; it was really fascinating listening to some of their stories. One of them was flat horned, which meant he didn't have curved horns like the other goats, this goat was in a fight with a pygmy goat and sadly that goat lost a horn so it is called the unihorn. They explained that most of the goats have been rescued and eventually go to homes where they are cared for.

Following on from the goat feed, we saw some of the female alpacas, there were 11 or 12, some with baby alpacas on the way and the leader of their pack was called... Ruby Matriarch.

Finally, we visited the pygmy goats, we got to stroke and even hold the baby goats. The one I held was 5-6 weeks old and was going to a home.

I enjoyed holding the goats as it felt really special. I would love to go again.

Ruby Xx

Ruby's verdict: 9/10

Overall experience: It was a magical experience, a fun way to spend a couple of hours walking and trying something new.

Price: 2 share 1 alpaca, £40 for the pair

Fun factor: I enjoyed so many laughs on my walk and learnt new information about alpacas.

Contact: www.blackwateralpacas.co.uk or 07813 290 708

All experiences must be pre-booked. T+C's apply. Experience on the day may vary and is open until the end of September. Total experience time is 2 hours.

West Ham United Kicks PL Sessions / London Stadium Tour

Hi everyone, Ruby here. This week I've reviewed the West Ham United football PL foundation and a tour of the London Stadium, which is the home of West Ham United from 2016 and also home to the London 2012 Olympic games.

The foundation is open to ages (8-16 years) and a place where you can train and improve your football skills. The coaches give you lots of tips and are always willing to help you if you need it. There are multiple sessions for boys and girls on different days. Every Monday 5pm to 6:30pm, which is the session I attend.

I feel this training helps us develop and improve as footballers. You can practise and complete drills. Here are some of the drills we do: passing drills, moving into space to create angles so you're always around to receive the ball and mini matches. I've been twice and it is really enjoyable. I found the sessions fun, helpful and it's good to play with children of different ages and abilities.

When doing the stadium tour I visited the dressing rooms, which had the players' shirts hanging up. I also got to walk in the footsteps of them because I walked through the tunnel onto the ground where I sat on the manager's chair. We even got to go into the manager's office and walk past the frames of West Ham legends, with more information about them. To my amazement, I ran a part of the Olympic track, which hosted the Olympics; London 2012. Our guide was very informative and answered any questions. (Tour may vary)

Interesting facts about London stadium: 60,000 seats for football, 80,000 capacity for concerts, community track and 428 wheelchair viewing spaces.

I would do more training and perhaps visit the stadium again but I have already treasured that moment.

"COYI!"

Ruby Xx

Ruby's Verdict

Football Foundation: 8.5/10

London stadium tour: 9/10

Overall experience: Enjoyable, useful and I look forward to learning new football techniques. The stadium tour was good. I got a feel of what it would be like as a player and visited areas you wouldn't get to see at a match, well worth a visit.

Fun factor: Fun for all ages, great as a gift.

Price: West Ham Community foundation sessions are free. Stadium tour: fees apply.

Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (sessions)

www.london-stadium.com (fees apply)