Keep Them Playing. Keep Them in the Game.

Regular competitive football matters for every young player.

The years between 16 and 18 are especially important. Players are developing quickly, and many are starting to move towards adult junior football. If games become irregular at this stage, some players drift away from the sport.

An Issue for Review Now

Improving playing opportunities for young players should not wait for a long-term plan. It is a practical issue that can be reviewed now, through the proper league processes and in consultation with the people involved.

I would seek an early meeting with fixture administrators, referees and clubs to look at current youth and minor fixture arrangements together.

What a Review Could Look At

Many things affect fixtures, and not all of them can be controlled. A review could consider:

• Scheduling: how fixtures are planned across the season, and where gaps between games appear.
• Postponements and rearrangements: how quickly games are rearranged, and how clearly clubs are kept informed.
• Referee availability: how referee numbers and scheduling affect youth games.
• Pitch availability: weather, pitch conditions and access to facilities.
• Additional playing opportunities: whether further games or competitions could be organised where appropriate.

The aim would be to identify avoidable gaps between matches and agree practical improvements with clubs, referees and administrators.

Keeping Young Players in the Game

Clubs work hard to keep young players involved. Regular games help with that. So does a well-supported move from youth football into adult junior football, so that players see a clear next step at their club.

Realistic Expectations

Weather, pitches and referee availability will always affect fixtures. I am not promising a set number of games. I am committing to look at the issue properly, listen to the people involved and work towards practical improvements.

This review would form part of Programme 3 – Football Operations & Digital Development within LDL 2030.

If your club has experience of these issues, I would welcome your feedback.