After an evaluation of all the football/futsal it has been decided there will be a merge of River Juniors (Liverpool) and Rio Academy (Futsal) to enable Ray, Michael & Alex to channel all their efforts in to one combined set up. River Juniors Football Club and Rio Futsal Club.

This means that we are able to offer the best of both set ups to everyone and it not mean choosing one over the other. That has been a dilemma of our own, parents and children on many occasions.

The merge ensures the players of both set ups will now receive the best coaching and development structure possible with a variety of options and pathways to suit the diverse needs of players. Ultimately a desire to keep the fun pressure free environment is key but we can combine that with a clear development structure to improve players, coaches and the club.

The Main Benefits are:

• There will be the option to play grassroots football, futsal or both under one set up.

• The most experienced knowledgeable coaches are dedicated to the combined set up, not split across two.

• A full development structure being created and pathway to suit all players from beginners to those advanced players who are looking at gaining professional academy opportunities.

• More sessions and coaching available as we have a large amount of facilities to use, and the expected use of the new FA Football Hub soon to be built on Long Lane. We have multiple use of astroturf, full 3G pitches and indoor sports hall use for futsal across 3 locations.

• A growing list of quality coaches. We can now offer paid coaching 7 days a week due to demand and player numbers enabling us to attract further quality coaches. They can work with teams and assist/mentor managers who wish to continue coaching but there will always be high quality coaching available. A full plan will put in place to assist all managers and their own coaching development.

• Clear pathway for our Mini Rio attendees to follow from their training groups in to grassroots football teams and/or futsal teams within one set up.

Costs

A full costing exercise is currently underway but from initial calculations we will be able to run all the changes at no extra cost to what parents are currently paying across their football/futsal, in fact with a huge club emphasis to fundraise we could offer the improved combined set up for less than what is being paid currently.

Costs will be made on a tariff basis, a variety of tariffs will be available and based on how much your child plays and how much effort is made towards fundraising. These tariffs will depend on how many days your child plays, how many sessions, do they play football and/or futsal, have they been selected for additional games etc.

Expected Questions

Is anything else planned?

Yes the club will continue to grow and we want to provide as much football and futsal as possible, our plans are short, long and medium term and include a push for girls, women’s, disability and men’s football. Representative/River Academy/Rio Futsal Academy teams at most age groups, a Goalkeeper Coaching Set Up (for River Juniors & Non River Juniors keepers), Walking Football, In House Leagues and much more. This is in addition to the feeder ‘soccer school’ called Mini Rio which is ran via Rio Academy as well as the successful futsal leagues.

These will all assist on our ultimate goal of obtaining our own facilities.

How will a set up this size be ran efficiently?

Based on the outcome of a meeting to be held regarding the structure of the club this will be finalised but there a plans in place for a variety of outcomes.

When will the changes take place?

We are aiming to have the changes in place from September.

How does this impact the River Juniors Wirral Teams?

Unfortunately at this time it is unlikely a mirror image of the Liverpool based activities will be replicated for the Wirral teams. There is no preference to Liverpool based teams – as I expect that to be said - but the Wirral based teams and infrastructure are 4 years behind the Liverpool structure. Please note that it is something I am very keen to organise for Wirral based teams moving forward but until it is resolved players are welcome to come to Liverpool for their futsal (or other activities we will provide) as many Wirral based children, River Juniors or otherwise, do. In terms of coaching and additional coaches to help this is also something that will be addressed.

What next?

We plan to answer any questions via email, please do not comment on facebook or twitter as any answers will not be given. Please email rioacademy@outlook.com with your questions and we will answer them all then publish them as we are likely to receive a lot of the same questions.

Ray, Michael and Alex are meeting with a council official to assist us in creating the right legal/government organisation type, this ensures we are able to apply and gain funding in the near, medium and long future to fit our ambitious plans.

All information will be issued when we have it along with a more detailed breakdown of the plans we have and how they will work.

Thanks for reading,

Ray Woodhouse