Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Colchester & District Youth Football League serves as a vital platform for young footballers throughout north Essex and surrounding areas to develop their skills and passion for the sport. The league offers competitive opportunities for various age groups, from U10 to U12 divisions and beyond, providing structured fixtures and results tracking for youth teams in the region. Recent matches in late February and early March 2025 demonstrate the league's active schedule and commitment to youth football development.
With a focus on creating opportunities for young players, the league maintains a comprehensive structure that allows teams from Colchester and nearby communities to participate in regular competition. The organization's dedicated approach to youth football helps nurture talent while creating a supportive environment where children can enjoy the beautiful game and learn valuable life skills through sport.
History
The Colchester & District Youth Football League has deep roots in North Essex, providing young footballers with organized competition for decades. The league has been instrumental in developing youth talent throughout Colchester and surrounding areas.
Records indicate the league's history extends back to at least the early 1970s. In the 1970-71 season, Colchester Athletic finished as runners-up in the North East Essex league, showing the competitive nature of football in the region during that period.
The league expanded over the years to include various age groups and divisions. Today, it offers competition for numerous youth categories, including U10 and U12 divisions, allowing systematic progression for young players.
Various cup competitions have been part of the league's tradition. These include the President's Cup and participation in the Essex County Cup, giving teams additional competitive opportunities beyond regular league matches.
The league operates within the broader context of Essex football history. The area has a rich football heritage, with local teams like Colchester Casuals and Colchester Albions competing in the Essex and Suffolk Border Football League since the late 1890s.
St. George's Park has connections to the league's operations, serving as an important venue or administrative center. The park represents part of the infrastructure supporting youth football in the Colchester area.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Colchester & District Youth Football League accommodates young players across eleven different age groups, spanning from Under-7s through to Under-18s. This comprehensive structure allows children and teenagers aged six to eighteen to participate in organized football.
The league is impressively diverse, featuring nearly forty divisions across these age groups. For example, the Under-10 category alone contains multiple divisions such as Allen, Andrews, Curren, Oakes, Oakley, and Wisbey.
Similar division structures exist in other age brackets, with the Under-11 group including divisions like Andrews and Allen. These multiple divisions at each age level ensure appropriate competitive balance for teams of varying skill levels.
For the youngest participants, the league offers Flag Football for ages 4-5, providing an introduction to the sport in a safe environment. This serves as a gateway to the more structured divisions that follow.
The progression continues with:
- D Squad: Ages 6-7 (maximum weight 105 lbs)
- C Squad: Ages 8-9
Weight limits exist for certain age groups to ensure fair competition and player safety. For instance, the D Squad has an "on the line tackle-to-tackle" weight range of 105.1 to 119 lbs.
This carefully organized structure demonstrates the league's commitment to youth football development, providing opportunities for players of all ages and abilities throughout the Colchester district.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Colchester & District Youth Football League is managed by a dedicated team of volunteers who oversee various aspects of league operations. Key officials include Ross Munson, who serves as the Referees Appointment Coordinator and can be reached at 07947 561925.
Jim Commins holds the important position of Child Welfare Officer, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all youth participants. He can be contacted at 07947 562046 for any concerns regarding child welfare matters.
Carl Abbott functions as the Media Secretary, handling communications and promotional aspects of the league. For general inquiries, the league can be contacted via several email addresses.
For referee-related matters in the broader Colchester football community, Simon Lewis serves as Referee Secretary and can be reached at 07709 038930 or cdslrefsec@hotmail.com.
The league's organizational structure ensures that all aspects of youth football administration are covered, from fixture scheduling to child protection policies. Committee members work collaboratively to provide a positive sporting environment for young players.
Parents, coaches, and players looking to contact league officials should use the provided phone numbers or email addresses for specific inquiries. The committee remains committed to fostering youth football development in the Colchester district.
Teams
The Colchester & District Youth Football League features numerous youth teams from across north Essex and surrounding areas. It provides a structured environment for young footballers to develop their skills and enjoy the sport.
Colchester Villa Youth Football Club is one of the prominent clubs in the league, fielding 23 teams across 11 age groups. Their teams participate in league matches played on Sundays.
Several other clubs have established presence in the league, including:
- Bergholt Heath Youth
- Brightlingsea Regent Youth
- Brooklands Youth
- Coggeshall Town Youth
- Cornard Youth
Age groups typically range from under-10s through various youth levels. Many teams are identified by color designations (Blues, Reds) to distinguish between multiple squads from the same club within an age group.
For the 2024/25 season, teams looking for players can be found across various age categories. Parents seeking teams for their children can connect with clubs through the league's resources.
The competitive structure includes regular fixtures throughout the season. For example, recent matches have featured teams like Stanway Rovers Youth, Frinton & Walton Youth, Wivenhoe Town Youth, and Feering Falcons Youth.
The league serves as an important pathway for youth football development in the region, with teams focused on both competitive play and player growth.
Players
The Colchester & District Youth Football League provides opportunities for young footballers throughout north Essex and surrounding areas. Players typically range from under-7 to under-18 age groups, developing their skills in a structured competitive environment.
Teams within the league are constantly looking for new talent. Facebook groups like "Colchester Youth Football Players Wanted" serve as platforms where clubs can connect with potential players in the Colchester District area.
For the 2024/25 season, parents can find teams seeking players by checking specific age group listings. This system helps match young athletes with appropriate teams based on their age and skill level.
Player development is a key focus of the league, with emphasis on both technical skills and good sportsmanship. Many youth players start in these local leagues before progressing to more advanced levels of competition.
The league maintains statistical tracking for players, helping coaches monitor development and performance throughout the season. This data-driven approach supports the growth of young talent in the region.
Teams in the Colchester area provide training sessions alongside competitive matches, ensuring players receive comprehensive football education. Coaches focus on core skills while fostering teamwork and enjoyment of the game.
