AN award-winning junior football league is inviting teams to join ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The High Peak Junior Football League (HPJFL) currently caters for boys, girls and mixed-gender teams from Under 7s to Under 11s.
Teams from across the High Peak, Tameside and surrounding areas are welcome to sign up for next season, which begins on September 8.
Matches are played on Sundays at one central hub – the 3G pitch at Glossopdale School’s Newshaw Lane site in Hadfield.
The league has come a long way since it first launched in September 2015.
In 2019, it received prestigious Charter Standard status – which recognises commitment, quality and achievement – from Derbyshire FA.
In 2022, the HPJFL was voted as the Derbyshire FA’s Grassroots League of the Year for its ongoing commitment to supporting and developing players, teams and coaches.
The league has also supported the FA’s ‘No heading’ trial for the past two seasons, which will be rolled out across all leagues for Under 7s to Under 9s next season, and funded its own refereeing course to support the training of new officials.
Every year, the HPJFL holds an eagerly anticipated Cup Finals Day to conclude the season – held at Buxton FC’s Silverlands stadium – where every player taking part receives a medal.
Jon Matthews, Chair of the HPJFL, said: “We pride ourselves on providing a safe, friendly and inclusive environment for hundreds of children every Sunday to enjoy playing football, which is testament to all players, coaches, spectators, referees and committee members.
“We are an ambitious league, constantly looking at how we can improve and expand. Every week we take great satisfaction in seeing everyone involved so passionate about junior football with smiles on their faces. Our special league is a positive development platform where competition is very much secondary.”
Carl Dean, Secretary/Welfare Officer for the HPJFL, added: “We are particularly looking for any Under 7s or Under 9s teams who want to join us, have lots of fun and be part of our fantastic league.
“If you have any questions at all, just drop us a line and we will happily answer them.”
Any teams interested in joining the HPJFL for 2024/25 or anyone keen to find out more information should email Carl.Dean@silkmoth.com or Jon@itecpower.co.uk