The transition from 7v7 (mini-soccer rules) played on small pitches/goals to 9v9 (SCORY) is a big jump for U11 year olds.  Adjusting to the new football format and on larger pitches / goals can be overbearing to some young players.  Introduction to 9v9 football festivals will help bridge the gap to this format and encourage further festival events by the league/other clubs that will help grow the game at this level. Shrewsbury Sports Village has agreed to host the inaugural 9v9 event (and future festivals) which will promote grassroots football to the wider football community. This will be beneficial to the league and enabling further 9v9 finals/festivals across many seasons to come.

Left to right: Rob Fox (Sports Village): Felix O’Sinclair (Sports Village): David Rowe (President Shropshire FA): Jan Butler (Secretary SJFL): Mike Hames (Chairman SJFL).

Shropshire Junior Football League (SJFL) in partnership with Shrewsbury Sports Village (SSV) has centralised  the league’s ‘Festival of Finals’ to be hosted and played for at the Sports Village.  Previously the league had arrangements with senior football grounds in the county but wanted a more permanent base for the 18 finals that are played for each season.  With SSV already being the HQ of the league, as well has hosting the SJFL Futsal Festival each season during the winter break since it’s inauguration in 2009, it was a natural progression for both partners to centralise the Festival of Finals at SSV. 

Whilst SSV has excellent sports facilities but it was lacking in 9v9 goals and as such unable to host festivals of multi teams without the good services of other clubs  loaning 9v9 goals.  When the Sports Village opened in 2007 9v9 football was not played and not implemented by The FA until season 2014/2015. With only one set of 9v9 goals the Sports Village was unable to support any 9v9 finals or the 9v9 Introduction to Football events  without a permanent second set of 9v9 goals. Through the FA Foundation Grant scheme SJFL applied for a project grant for a new set of 9v9 goals and on the 11th May they were used for the first time for the four  U11 and U12s Charity Finals. An Introduction to 9v9 Football is also scheduled for July (which attracts upwards of 12 teams).

David Rowe (President Shropshire FA) presenting the U11 Charity Cup to the winning captain of Up and Comers Harriers

Up and Comers Harriers celebrate winning the U11 Charity Cup inside the new 9v9 goals

For the Festival of Finals Shropshire Junior Football League  sponsored the ‘Life of Riley’ charity and with the generous donations from spectators and a £500 pledge from the league a grand total of £1506 was raised for the charity… read more in the attached programme here 

Left to right: Jan Butler (Secretary SJFL): Jayson Evans (Life of Riley Charity): Mike Hames (chairman SJFL)