Stafford 21 league, disability football sessions and talent ID day
Staffordshire Football Association have been working in partnership with the Stafford & District Sunday League, Mid Staffs Junior League and Stafford Borough Council, to create an alternative format to a traditional 11-a-side football league, with the aim of encouraging more young men over the age of sixteen to play football.
Traditionally in the Stafford area, there is a gap between the youth and adult leagues, with very few youth teams making the transition into the adult league. It is hoped that this new, innovative format of football will help to bridge that gap, as well as providing a quality playing experience via the provision of this exciting new league.
All games will be played on the new state-of-the-art 3G pitch at Riverway on Friday evenings, with the league kicking off on Friday 6 January 2017. Games will be one hour in length as opposed to the traditional ninety minutes and teams will play every other week rather than on a weekly basis, with each mini season being completed within a five-month window. With less time and commitment required from players and minimal administration for the team organiser, the league is ideal to fit in around other lifestyle commitments.
Eight teams can be accommodated in the first year of this new league, which will also incorporate a cup and shield competition. The league will embrace the repeat substitutions rule and teams can have an unlimited squad size to support with player recruitment, including up to three players over-age players in their squad.
Traditionally many football teams fold at the under-17 and under-18 age groups due to numerous reasons – education commitments, work commitments, lifestyle changes and other key factors. In addition to that, some youth teams don’t necessarily want to make the transition from youth football straight into adult football.
The creation of this new flexible format league will hopefully help to address some of those issues and provide an opportunity for more people aged sixteen plus to continue.
For further information on the league and the flexible format structure, please contact the Adult Football Development Officer at Staffordshire FA, Gareth Thomas, on 01785 256994, 07815 295723 or at gareth.thomas@staffordshirefa.com
View the Stafford U21 League – Fixture Formula
Turn Up and Play Disability Football Sessions
Staffordshire FA are pleased to confirm in partnership with the local authorities and local charter standard clubs we will be offering new football sessions for players with disabilities starting in January 2017.
All sessions will be open to both boys and girls aged 8 to 16 years old, of all abilities and will provide the opportunity to take part in fun and inclusive football sessions delivered by FA qualified football coaches.
Please see details below:
Partnership with Newcastle Borough Council & Newcastle Town
Start Date: Tuesday 10th January 2017
Venue: Michelin Sports Centre, ST4 6NL
Day: Tuesday’s Weekly
Time: 5.30pm till 6.30pm
Cost: £2 per session
For further information please click here to download the poster
Partnership with South Staffs Council
Start Date: Monday 9th January 2017
Venue: Codsall Leisure Centre
Day: Monday’s Weekly
Time: 5.30pm till 6.30pm
Cost: £2 per session
For further information please click here to download the poster
Partnership with Newcastle Borough Council & Kidsgrove Athletic FC
Start Date: Thursday 26th January 2017
Venue: Kidsgrove Leisure Centre
Day: Thursday’s Weekly
Time: 5pm till 6pm
Cost: £2 per session
For further information please click here to download the poster
For further information please click here to download the poster
Gemma Turner
Football Development Officer (Disability)
T: 01785 279828
Gemma.Turner@StaffordshireFA.com
Disability Talent Identification Programme
Could you be eligible to play for England?
The FA England Talent Day in Staffordshire aims to identify and signpost players with a disability into the right environment to enhance & develop their football experience.
The England Talent Day in Staffordshire will take place as stated below:
Date: Tuesday 14th March 2017
Time: 7pm till 9pm
Venue: Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews, Stoke
Register: Players must be registered prior to the day to attend
Player Requirements: Players must be 12 to 16 years old
Cerebral Palsy | Partially Sighted | Deaf Female & Male | Learning Disability | Amputee | Blind |
For further clarification please contact Gemma Turner
Following the FA England Talent Day, players will be signposted to local suitable clubs within the area or may be invited back for a week player assessment programme.
To find out more, or to request a registration form please contact Football Development Officer Gemma Turner:
E: Gemma.Turner@StaffordshireFA.com
T: 01785 256994