17th March 2021
Interview conducted by Adam Holt
I recently caught up with Wayne Homer, Chairman and coach at Bournville Warriors, a youth football team that provides opportunities to kids of all ages to play competitive football. Wayne is also club secretary for Cadbury Athletic, who are a club that are also based in Bournville - and they compete in the Midland Football League (Step 6 of Non-League, so Tier 10).
I wanted to ask him on his role with the Bournville Warriors and on football on a more general basis...
Check out the Q&A below!
What do you enjoy most about your role at Bournville Warriors?
"I love Football and enjoy helping people so my role as coach (And Chairman) allows me to put that together to give people the opportunity to play football."
How hotly anticipated is the return to action for grassroots football clubs?
"The return to football is eagerly awaited, the kids need to get some normality back in their lives and to get out and get some exercise (away from consoles etc.) Hopefully the rules and the road map will allow us to return without any more restrictions."
What has been the biggest challenge for you in your current role during the pandemic?
"To be honest, the biggest challenge has been staying motivated whilst at home and trying to keep the team in contact with each other so when they return they feel a part of the team again. They have tended to socialise online with school friends rather than each other so the hope is that they come back to the club to play football and don’t just get used to gaming and give up the game."
On a Villa related note, what are your views of Villa’s season to date?
"Onto the Villa, excellent progress after last year. We’re probably 2 more transfer windows away from being a really good side but are just falling short on the size of the squad at the minute which has cost us a little in recent results. I don’t think you can grumble too much although it would be nice to keep that top 10 spot."
What is your personal opinion of VAR’s implementation into the Premier League?
"I think VAR could work if it was used like it was designed to do. I think there are too many inconsistencies to it and the decisions have completely been taken away from the on field referees who no longer have any confidence in how they officiate the game. It’s made them question their decisions and rely on VAR making the decision for them which means the games are being refereed by someone miles away in an industrial estate!"
I hope that you enjoyed reading this Q&A, which provided a valuable insight into what is like being involved in grassroots football, as well as the role of a Chairman. There will certainly be more Q&As to come, so please keep an eye out for them!
I wanted to ask him on his role with the Bournville Warriors and on football on a more general basis...
Check out the Q&A below!
What do you enjoy most about your role at Bournville Warriors?
"I love Football and enjoy helping people so my role as coach (And Chairman) allows me to put that together to give people the opportunity to play football."
How hotly anticipated is the return to action for grassroots football clubs?
"The return to football is eagerly awaited, the kids need to get some normality back in their lives and to get out and get some exercise (away from consoles etc.) Hopefully the rules and the road map will allow us to return without any more restrictions."
What has been the biggest challenge for you in your current role during the pandemic?
"To be honest, the biggest challenge has been staying motivated whilst at home and trying to keep the team in contact with each other so when they return they feel a part of the team again. They have tended to socialise online with school friends rather than each other so the hope is that they come back to the club to play football and don’t just get used to gaming and give up the game."
On a Villa related note, what are your views of Villa’s season to date?
"Onto the Villa, excellent progress after last year. We’re probably 2 more transfer windows away from being a really good side but are just falling short on the size of the squad at the minute which has cost us a little in recent results. I don’t think you can grumble too much although it would be nice to keep that top 10 spot."
What is your personal opinion of VAR’s implementation into the Premier League?
"I think VAR could work if it was used like it was designed to do. I think there are too many inconsistencies to it and the decisions have completely been taken away from the on field referees who no longer have any confidence in how they officiate the game. It’s made them question their decisions and rely on VAR making the decision for them which means the games are being refereed by someone miles away in an industrial estate!"
I hope that you enjoyed reading this Q&A, which provided a valuable insight into what is like being involved in grassroots football, as well as the role of a Chairman. There will certainly be more Q&As to come, so please keep an eye out for them!