Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Community & Education Football Alliance (CEFA) represents a unique football competition designed specifically for EFL Club Community Organizations across England. This innovative league provides valuable sporting opportunities for both men and women while simultaneously supporting educational pathways through football. The competition serves as a bridge between community engagement and athletic development, offering participants a structured environment to enhance their skills.
Teams representing Premier League and EFL clubs participate in CEFA matches, creating meaningful connections between professional football institutions and their local communities. The alliance operates with a clear focus on accessibility and inclusion, ensuring that football remains a catalyst for positive social change and personal development.
Players in the CEFA league benefit from the professional infrastructure of established football clubs while pursuing their education. This dual-focus approach has made the alliance increasingly popular, with matches showcasing impressive talent from community programs throughout the English football pyramid.
History
The Community & Education Football Alliance (CEFA) was established in 2018 as a football competition specifically designed for EFL Club Community Organizations. This innovative league created new opportunities for both young men and women to participate in competitive football while pursuing their education.
CEFA represents a modern approach to sports development, building on the rich tradition of football leagues in England. The concept draws inspiration from earlier football alliances, such as the original Football Alliance formed in 1889, which eventually merged with the Football League in 1892.
The league was developed to turn dreams into reality for many young players. It provides a structured competitive environment where participants can develop their football skills while continuing their education.
Since its inception, CEFA has grown in both size and reputation. The competition is administered by the English Football League (EFL) and forms an important part of their community outreach efforts.
Teams in the CEFA represent various EFL clubs across different divisions. This connection to professional clubs provides participants with valuable exposure to football pathways and potential career opportunities both in and outside of the sport.
The league maintains a commitment to inclusivity, with eligibility extended to both men and women. This progressive approach reflects modern values in sports development and community engagement.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Community & Education Football Alliance League offers structured competition primarily for U19 age groups. This classification ensures players under 19 years of age can participate in appropriate competitive environments.
The league features a comprehensive divisional structure organized by geographic regions. North West divisions are particularly extensive, comprising four tiers: North West 1, North West 2, North West 3, and North West 4.
Central regions also have strong representation with divisions including North Central 1, North Central 2, North East Central 1, and Central 1. This regional approach minimizes travel demands while maintaining competitive balance.
Teams must complete an application form to register for each season. For example, the 2022/23 season required teams to submit specific documentation to enter the Community & Education Football Alliance.
The divisional structure allows teams to compete at appropriate skill levels, promoting fair competition and player development. Geographic organization of divisions helps create natural rivalries while keeping travel requirements reasonable.
Unlike some youth football organizations that offer multiple age brackets with weight restrictions, the Community & Education Football Alliance focuses specifically on the U19 age category. This concentration allows the league to develop specialized programming for late-teen players.
Registration typically opens before each season begins, with specific deadlines for team applications. Teams should check current requirements as application processes may vary from season to season.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Community & Education Football Alliance (CEFA) is managed by a dedicated team within the English Football League (EFL). For general inquiries about the league, stakeholders can contact the administration team via email at CEFA@efl.com.
The league operates under the governance of the EFL Club Community Organizations, which oversee both men's and women's competitions across different regions.
Regional coordinators manage competitions in specific areas, including the North West 2 division. These coordinators work directly with participating clubs to ensure smooth operations throughout the season.
Key Contacts:
- League Administration: CEFA@efl.com
- Membership Inquiries: Club Community Organization representatives
Each participating club designates a CEFA representative who serves as the primary point of contact for match arrangements, player registration, and other administrative matters.
The league maintains an official social media presence where announcements and updates are regularly shared. Their official X (formerly Twitter) account @EFLCEFA provides timely information about fixtures, results, and special events.
For clubs interested in joining the competition, initial contact should be made through their respective EFL Club Community Organization, which will guide them through the application process.
Teams
The Community & Education Football Alliance League (CEFA) features teams representing various football clubs across England. These teams are part of the EFL Club Community Organisations.
Notable teams in the league include Blackburn Rovers 'A', Blackpool 'A', Burnley 'D', and Manchester City 'B' and 'C'. Other participating teams are Macclesfield 'D', Rochdale 'C', and Tranmere Rovers 'B'.
The league is inclusive, allowing both men and women to participate in the competition. This reflects the community-focused nature of the alliance.
Teams like Tranmere Rovers also field multiple squads in the competition, with records showing a Tranmere Rovers 'F' team participating in matches as recently as June 2021.
Fleetwood Town 'B' and Wigan Athletic are also active participants in the league. These teams represent their respective club community programs in competitive fixtures.
The teams compete in organized fixtures throughout the season, creating opportunities for players to develop their skills while representing their affiliated professional clubs.
The league structure allows professional football clubs to extend their community outreach through competitive team sports, benefiting both the participants and the wider community.
Players
The Community & Education Football Alliance (CEFA) league has specific eligibility requirements for its players. Any student registered on a post-16 education course with their Club Community Organisation qualifies to participate in the competition.
Both men and women are eligible to play in the CEFA league, making it an inclusive football competition. This inclusivity helps broaden participation across different demographics and provides opportunities for diverse groups of young people.
The competition primarily targets students who are pursuing their education while developing their football skills. This dual focus on education and sport creates a balanced approach for young players.
Players in the CEFA league represent their respective EFL Club Community Organisations in competitive matches. These organisations are connected to professional football clubs in the English Football League structure.
The league structure allows these young players to experience competitive football in an organised environment while continuing their studies. For many participants, this serves as a pathway to further opportunities in football or education.
Registration requirements ensure that players maintain their educational commitments alongside their sporting activities. This balance between academics and athletics is a core principle of the CEFA program.
