Mid Norfolk Youth League looking to increase numbers

Committee members from the Mid Norfolk Youth League hope two recent festivals will encourage more sides to join next season.After concluding the league season in the morning, league officials hosted a girls’ football festival catering for several of the younger age groups.Around 100 girls, who have been playing in the league this season, attended as the growth of the girls’ game continues.Simon Hammond, from the league, said: “The committee are very sad to see teams leaving our league to join other leagues in Peterborough and Norwich.”We have had feedback saying the league is not competitive enough for some teams and that we play the same teams each year, which personally is sad to hear because the committee put a lot of hard work into running the league.”If teams stopped leaving the league, then it would be more competitive with more different teams to play each season. I have managed both my son’s teams from U7 to U16 and next season I will be managing my grandson’s team at U7.”I don’t want to be travelling lots of miles, taking up most of a day on a weekend to play a game of football when it is available locally.”Chloe Moulton, from Heacham Minors, said: “As a local female who grew up not having the opportunity to play female-only football, it’s great to see the work the Mid Norfolk Youth League and clubs are putting in to ensure all girls locally get the opportunity to play football, as well as trying to encourage more female referees and coaches. “Everyone involved had a fantastic day, and thank the league for the time and effort they put into making it a success.”The annual presentation evening at the Lynn Alive Corn Exchange will span over two evenings this year. The league provides football for U7s to U16s mixed and for girls-only teams if there are sufficient teams to make a viable league.This season they held a “Meet and Greet” session for all the U7 teams with League and Sub Cup knockout competitions being held for U8s to U11s and U13s with League Cup competitions for the U12s, U14s and U16s.If anyone would like to join the league committee and help improve local youth football, please contact: secretary@mnyl.co.uk