Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Bedfordshire FA Girls Football League stands as a cornerstone for female youth football development across Bedfordshire. With divisions spanning multiple age groups including U12, U15, and U18, the league provides structured competition for young female players throughout the region.
The league offers comprehensive divisional structures that enable teams to compete at appropriate skill levels, with both Division 1 and Division 2 options available for different age brackets. This tiered approach ensures that players can develop their abilities in suitable competitive environments while enjoying the beautiful game.
Beyond regular season play, the Bedfordshire FA actively encourages more girls to participate in football, with ongoing recruitment efforts to expand team numbers across clubs. This commitment to growth reflects the increasing popularity of girls' football in the county and aligns with nationwide efforts to develop the women's game at grassroots level.
History
The Bedfordshire Football Association was founded in 1894, establishing a foundation for football organization in the county. The association has since expanded to include various competitions and leagues for different age groups and genders.
The Bedfordshire FA Girls Football League emerged as part of the growing interest in women's and girls' football across the UK. This league provides competitive opportunities for young female players throughout Bedfordshire and neighboring areas.
The league is structured with different age divisions, including the U18 Division 1, which features teams like AFC Dunstable, Aylesbury United Ladies & Girls Greens, Chesham United Girls, and Leighton United. These teams compete in a structured season format.
Women's football in Bedfordshire has seen significant growth, with some clubs like Real Bedford FC achieving promotion to higher tiers of competition. In 2014, Real Bedford FC was promoted to the FA Women's Premier League Division 1, representing tier 2 of the Women's Pyramid.
The development of girls' football in Bedfordshire reflects broader national trends in increasing participation and recognition of women's football. The county association continues to support this growth through organized competitions and development programs.
St. George's Park, the English Football Association's national football center, has played a role in the development of girls' and women's football across regions including Bedfordshire.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Bedfordshire FA Girls Football League offers competitive opportunities across multiple age categories. The league structure encompasses age groups from Under-8 (U8) through to Under-18 (U18), providing developmental pathways for young female footballers throughout their formative years.
Each age group is organized into divisions based on skill level and competition requirements. The U18 category features Division 1 and Division 2, with some age groups also offering Spring season competitions to extend playing opportunities throughout the year.
The U16 and U15 age groups are similarly structured with Division 1 and Division 2 options. This tiered approach allows teams to compete against others of comparable ability, fostering appropriate challenges for developing players.
For the younger participants, the league maintains divisions for U14, U13, U12, U11, U10, U9, and U8 age groups. The U13 category specifically offers both Division 1 and Division 2 competitions, ensuring proper skill matching.
The league's comprehensive structure ensures girls can begin playing as early as U8 and continue their football journey through their teenage years. This progressive system allows players to develop their skills in age-appropriate environments while experiencing suitable levels of competition.
Cup competitions complement the regular league structure, providing additional competitive opportunities for teams in each age group.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Bedfordshire FA Girls Football League is managed by a dedicated team of officers who oversee its operations and development. Hugh Elliott serves as the Chairman and can be reached at 07905 367989 or via email at bdsflfixturesecretary@yahoo.co.uk.
For those interested in participating in girls' football within Bedfordshire, contacting your local County FA Lead Officer for Women's and Girls' football is recommended. These officers provide guidance for new players, aspiring coaches, and referees.
Bedford Ladies and Girls Football Club operates as a registered charity (1188351) with governance information and trustee details available through official charity records.
The league maintains comprehensive contact information for all club secretaries. This information is accessible through the Team Directory section of their official platform.
Club contacts for all teams participating in the Bedfordshire FA Girls Football League, including the U18 Division 1, are maintained in an organized directory. This ensures clear communication channels between the league administration and individual clubs.
Key Contact Information:
- Chairman: Hugh Elliott
- Phone: 07905 367989
- Email: bdsflfixturesecretary@yahoo.co.uk
For specific inquiries about participating in women's and girls' football in Bedfordshire, reaching out to these contacts will provide the necessary guidance and support.
Teams
The Bedfordshire FA Girls Football League features a variety of teams across different age groups. Several prominent clubs participate in this competitive league structure.
AFC Dunstable is one of the leading teams in the league, demonstrating strong performance in competitions. Aylesbury United Ladies & Girls Greens also maintain a significant presence in the league tables.
Chesham United FC Women and Chesham United Girls represent another notable club in the league. Their teams compete across various divisions within the league structure.
Luton Town Ladies is another established team participating in the Bedfordshire FA competitions. They've built a reputation for developing young female football talent in the region.
Bedford Girls and Real Bedford Ladies & Girls are key contributors to the league. Real Bedford Ladies & Girls Vipers specifically compete in the U12 Division 2.
Other teams include:
- Bugbrooke St. Michaels
- Dunstable Town Lionesses
- Leighton Woodside
- Leighton United
- Milton Keynes City Emeralds
- Moretonville Junior Falcons
- Wing Raiders Belles
The league table typically includes 16 matches for teams like AFC Dunstable, Aylesbury United Ladies & Girls Greens, Chesham United Girls, and Leighton United. This provides ample opportunity for competitive play and development.
Players
The Bedfordshire FA Girls Football League features talented young athletes across various age groups and teams. Player development is a key focus of the league, providing opportunities for girls to enhance their football skills in a competitive environment.
Teams like AFC Dunstable, Aylesbury United Ladies & Girls Greens, and Chesham United Girls compete at high levels within the league structure. For youth protection reasons, individual player names are no longer publicly displayed in youth leagues.
Bedford Girls Panthers represents one of the notable teams in the league standings. Other prominent teams include Stotfold Junior Lilacs, Milton Keynes City Diamonds, and Kettering FC Youth.
The league structure allows players to develop through different age categories, including U18 divisions. Bedford Girls U18 is one such team competing at the older youth level.
Clubs like Bugbrooke St. Michaels, Dunstable Town Lionesses, Leighton Woodside, and Luton Town Ladies provide pathways for female footballers in the region. Real Bedford Ladies & Girls also offers opportunities for player development.
League representatives, such as Wendy from the Bedfordshire FA Girls Football League, actively engage with players, managers, and coaches to support their development journey.
