M & S Water Services (Utilities) Ltd are pleased to announce the continuation of their partnership with The Chiltern Youth Football League. for the 2014 / 15 season.
The Luton based family company, which was founded in 1997, joined forces with the largest youth football league in the area at the start of 2014. They worked closely with the league, sponsoring their hugely successful 2014 cup finals, which culminated in their annual Cup Final Super Sunday, which was held in May on the Barton Village Playing Fields. This featured 10 cup finals, all played on the one day, with well over 1000 people in attendance, providing a vibrant celebration of youth football.
Both parties are pleased to confirm that an agreement has been reached for the company to continue with their support for youth football in the local area. The Chiltern Youth Football League, which is now in its 62nd season, started the season with 234 members teams, playing across 8 age groups, ranging from the Under 11 age group right up to Under 18 age group. The league boasts clubs in 3 counties – Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire, including teams from Luton, Dunstable, Bedford, Flitwick, Milton Keynes, Sandy, as well as a number of villages such as Toddington, Eaton Bray and Edlesborough, Caddington, Wootton and Totternhoe (amongst others). On a weekly basis over 4000 boys and girls are given the opportunity to play organised matches, with the league operating both 11 a-side and 9 a-side formats. The Chairman of the Chiltern Youth Football League, Mr Keith Swain stated ‘We are proud of the quality of the league that our volunteers run which enables so many youngsters to be active on a weekly basis, playing the game that we all love. One of the challenges that we face in the current economic climate is the costs associated with running a successful league and the support provided by M&S Water Services enables us to try and keep the costs to our clubs down to a minimum’.
Obviously those teams who are fortunate enough to be successful each season are recognised both in terms of the league and cup competitions, with the league utilising a variety of different competition formats to try and ensure that teams are able to compete at appropriate levels which supports the enjoyment and development of all the players. The league also operates a sporting mark scheme for each age group, where teams are recognised at the end of season AGM for their sporting behaviour throughout the season.
Mr Mick Harkin, Managing Director of M&S Water Services said “having been involved in youth football myself, I appreciate the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. I am therefore very pleased to be able to play a part by helping support the Chiltern Youth League. I am sure it will prove to be a successful partnership.”
This season has seen a number of changes within the CYFL as the league have migrated onto The FA’s Full- Time administration system with the Bedfordshire Football Association appointing match officials to the league’s fixtures. One of the strengths of the league has traditionally been the high level of referee coverage that the league has been able to achieve and it is hoped that the new Central Appointments System being operated will help to increase this coverage whilst also helping to support and develop the 150+ referees who officiate on the league during the season.
For further information please visit www.chilternyouthfootballleague.com.
