Management Of Competitive And Friendly Games

WWFC Team Management Report

Date: January 2026 

Subject: Competitive and Friendly Football Framework – Summary and Next Steps

Purpose

This document provides an overview of the proposed Competitive and Friendly Football Framework for Winchester Walking Football Club (WWFC). It is intended to guide internal discussion and approval of the structure and processes required to formalise how the club manages competitive and friendly football activity. The framework is designed to help us balance our social ethos with our competitive aspirations, so that everyone has a positive, enjoyable footballing experience.

Background

As the club continues to expand and gain recognition at regional and national levels, a need has emerged to formalise how we balance inclusiveness, transparency, and competitiveness. The need was prompted in part by concerns expressed over squad selection for coaching, and team selection for competitive tournaments.  The proposed framework seeks to address these concerns by clarifying responsibilities, strengthening coordination between coaches and team managers, and maintaining opportunities for both social and competitive football.

The framework supports the following key principles:

• Preserve inclusiveness through friendly/social playing opportunities.

• Support competitive ambitions with structured team management.

• Ensure transparency and objectivity in selection.

• Align coaching and player development across all squads.

• Maintain club integrity by fielding, in matches, only WWFC members (with goalkeeping exceptions if needed).

• Respect and support the selection decisions of the team captains (who give a significant amount of personal time to matches and coaching sessions).

Summary of Recommendations

1. Playing Management Structure

The Club Playing Management Team will be formalised to oversee all competitive football activities, including:

• Regular coaching sessions.

• Tournament and national competition participation.

• Strategic and tactical approach.

• Coaching direction and player development.

• Defined Team Roles

Confirmation of the current roles:

• Overall Club Captain: David Kirkby (DK).

• A Team Captain/Vice-Captain: DK and Barry Poffley.

• B Team Captain/Vice-Captain: to be appointed.

• Over-70s Manager/Captain: John Kane and DK. 

• Head Coach: Heather Kirkland (HK).

The Club Captain may also hold one or more Team Captaincy roles. The Club Captain will attend the Management Committee (MC) to cover specific topics as required.

3. Team Selection Process - All competitive matches 

Selection will rest with Team Captains and Vice-Captains as above, with the aim of fielding the strongest possible teams.

Key notes and expectations:

• Players must be WWFC members and, when joining the club, will be informed that the main club training session takes place on Tuesday mornings and is important in bringing the membership together.   

• A coaching session also takes place on Friday mornings. 

• To be considered for selection for any competitive match, players must attend Tuesday and/or Friday sessions (except for goalkeepers, depending on team needs).    

• The opportunity to attend coaching on a Friday, in addition to, or instead of, training on a Tuesday, will be available only to players who are first assessed at a Tuesday session (or sessions) and subsequently invited to join the ‘A’ or ‘B’ squad for Friday coaching (see 4 below).   

• Squad and team selections to be shared via Spond for transparency.

• Captains to offer feedback to non-selected players if so requested.

• Playing time may vary for individuals and is solely at the captain’s discretion.

• Coaching and Performance

Team Captains and Vice-Captains will collaborate closely with the Head Coach (HK) to:

• Implement tactical plans.

• Provide feedback on team and player performance. 

• Assess players at Tuesday sessions and invite them to Friday coaching sessions when appropriate, either as an ‘A’ or ‘B’ squad player.   

• Monitor players at coaching sessions to manage their movement between ‘A’ & ‘B’ squads.

• Monitor individual development. 

• Participate actively in coaching sessions.

• Friendly Football Framework

A dedicated friendly/social team or squad will be established and named “Winchester Casuals”, to distinguish it from competitive squads.

• Fixtures Secretary to coordinate friendly matches with like-minded opposition.

• Main Committee to advise on the number and format of friendly fixtures required annually (4-6 weeks suggested at recent MC to be confirmed).

• To be considered for selection for any friendly match, players must attend Tuesday and/or Friday sessions (except for goalkeepers, depending on team needs).  

• As a general rule, selection priority will be given to players not playing regularly in competitions.

• Competition players should, however, support these fixtures. For example, by making themselves available to play or referee if there is a risk that a fixture may not be fulfilled.

• Expectations of all Players

Players should adopt the following practices:

• If ‘A’ or ‘B’ squad players, participate whenever possible in Friday coaching sessions for their respective squad.

• Respect and support selection decisions made for competition and friendly squads; for ‘A’ and ‘B’ squad training sessions; and on the day of, and during, all matches (e.g. starting line-up, and substitutions).

• Address queries directly to the relevant captain.

• When playing, behave in a manner that maintains the reputation of the club.

7. Next Steps

8. Committee approval of the proposed structure and roles.

9. Confirmation of the ‘B’ Team Captain and Vice-Captain appointments.

10. Agreement on the formal naming of the friendly squad, to exist alongside the Winchester ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams.

11. Agreement on communication plan for informing members. 

Recommendation:That the Committee endorses the proposed framework and authorises its implementation from date tbc, ensuring that it is clearly communicated to all members and will thereafter be used to aid consistency in   team management practice across all squads.  

WWFC Mission and Values

Mission Statement

Winchester Walking Football Club provides an inclusive, enjoyable, and supportive environment where players of all abilities can take part in walking football — whether for social enjoyment or competitive challenge. We strive to balance friendship and fun with performance and progress, representing our club and community with pride, integrity, and respect.

Our Values

• Inclusiveness: Everyone is welcome and valued.

• Transparency: Decisions and communication are open and consistent.

• Team Spirit: We play for each other, promoting camaraderie and good sportsmanship.

• Development: We encourage members to grow through structured coaching and feedback.

• Integrity: We represent WWFC with honesty and pride on and off the pitch.