Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Berkshire Youth Development Summer League has become a cornerstone of youth football development in the region, offering structured competition for young players during the warmer months. Running from April 26th to June 21st, 2025, the league provides age-appropriate formats including 5-a-side for Under 7s, 7-a-side for Under 8s and 9s, 9-a-side for Under 10s and 11s, and 11-a-side for Under 12s. The league creates valuable opportunities for continued player development outside the regular season while maintaining a competitive yet supportive environment for youth footballers.
Registration for the 2025 Summer League is currently open with priority given to Berkshire Youth Football League (BYFL) teams, though spaces are limited and expected to fill quickly. This popular program builds on previous successful seasons, including the 2024 edition which ran from May 4th to June 29th, excluding the May 18th weekend.
Parents and coaches appreciate the league's focus on development rather than solely results, giving young players the chance to hone their skills in a format appropriate to their age and development level. The small-sided games for younger age groups particularly help maximize touch time with the ball while teaching fundamental team concepts in an engaging, age-appropriate way.
History
The Berkshire Youth Development Summer League was established to provide competitive football opportunities for young players during the summer months. It focuses specifically on youth development across Berkshire County, with special attention to younger age groups.
The league organizes matches in various formats including 5v5 for Under 7s, which helps introduce young players to structured football in an appropriate setting. This format allows children to develop core skills with more touches of the ball.
Over time, the league expanded to incorporate multiple venues across Berkshire. Kings Academy Prospect in Tilehurst, Reading became one of the prominent hosting locations for matches across different age groups and formats.
The league operates within the broader context of youth football development in Berkshire, which has a strong tradition of supporting grassroots football. In 2009, the East Berks Youth Football League became the first in the county to achieve FA Charter Standard League status, setting a precedent for youth football organization in the region.
The Berkshire Youth Development Summer League works alongside other regional competitions to create year-round playing opportunities for young footballers. It maintains connections with the Berkshire Youth Football League and operates under the oversight of the Berks & Bucks Football Association.
The league has seen steady growth in participation numbers over the years, with thousands of young players taking part in its summer program annually.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Berkshire Youth Development Summer League offers competition across multiple age groups, ensuring young players have appropriate opportunities to develop their skills. Based on recent seasons, the league organizes teams primarily by age, with the Under 7s category receiving particular focus and structure.
For the youngest participants, the Under 7s division is typically split into three tiers: Summer A 5v5, Summer B 5v5, and Summer C 5v5. This tiered approach allows for more balanced competition based on skill level and development stage.
The league's structure extends beyond just the U7s, with competitions also available for U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, and U13 age groups. Each age category follows specific formats appropriate for player development at that stage.
According to available information, the league may also offer opportunities for older youth, with some sources suggesting divisions for players aged 14-16. The upcoming Summer League 2025, scheduled to begin April 26th, is expected to maintain this multi-age structure.
Teams interested in joining should note that spaces remain available across several age groups for the 2024/25 season. Registration typically occurs well before the start date to ensure proper league organization.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Berkshire Youth Development Summer League is managed by a dedicated committee of volunteers who oversee operations across all age groups, including the Under 7s Summer A 5v5 division.
League Coordinator:
- Peter Bondini (P264180@aol.com) - Primary contact for general league inquiries
Administrative Team:
- League Secretary - Handles registration and documentation
- Fixtures Coordinator - Manages match scheduling
- Child Welfare Officer - Ensures safeguarding protocols are followed
For teams looking to join the 2024/25 season, spaces are available across several age groups. Interested clubs should email the league administration directly through the contact information provided on their official platforms.
The committee meets monthly during the season to address ongoing operations, rule clarifications, and disciplinary matters. Each club participating in the league must designate a representative to serve as the primary point of contact.
Referee coordination is handled by the league's Referee Secretary, who assigns officials to matches and manages referee development programs.
For specific Under 7s Summer A 5v5 division inquiries, contact the age group coordinator directly through the league's communication channels.
Teams
The Berkshire Youth Development Summer League features a variety of youth football teams across different age groups. Based on the search results, several teams participate in the Under-7 (U7) category.
Teams in the U7 division include ABC Red Kites, Centre Skills Gold, Hurst Youth, and Pangbourne Youth Yellow Dragons.
Additional U7 teams competing in the league are Rotherfield United Hawks, Wokingham & Emmbrook Lions, and Woodley.
The league appears to accommodate multiple formats of play. According to the search results, they host 7-a-side, 9-a-side, and 11-a-side matches.
Kings Academy Prospect in Tilehurst, Reading serves as a venue for these matches. This location provides facilities for the various team formats competing in the league.
The Summer League typically runs during the warmer months. For example, the 2024 Summer League was scheduled from May 4th to June 29th, with an exclusion date of May 18th.
Teams interested in participating in upcoming seasons can find application forms through the league's official channels. The league appears to be planning for the 2025/26 season with home and away formats.
Players
The Berkshire Youth Development Summer League caters to young footballers across various age groups. Based on the available information, the league accommodates players aged 7-16 years old, providing appropriate formats for different developmental stages.
For the youngest participants, Under 7s compete in a 5v5 format, allowing them to develop fundamental skills in a smaller-sided environment. This scaled-down approach helps beginners gain more touches on the ball.
Players in the Under 8 and Under 9 categories participate in 7-a-side matches, which introduces slightly larger teams while still maintaining frequent ball contact for each player.
The Under 10 and Under 11 age groups compete in 9v9 matches, serving as a transition phase between the smaller-sided games and full 11-a-side football. This format helps players develop positional awareness on a larger pitch.
By Under 12, players progress to 11-a-side matches, the standard format used in adult football. This gradual progression through different team sizes allows young players to develop appropriately at each stage.
The 2025 Summer League is scheduled to run from April 26th to June 21st, giving young players competitive opportunities during the warmer months. This timing complements the traditional winter football season, allowing year-round development.
The league began in 2005 and has since established itself as an important platform for youth football development in Berkshire.
