Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Medway District Youth League stands as a vital institution in Kent's youth football landscape, providing organized competition for more than 2,000 young players throughout the region. With matches scheduled weekly across various age groups from U7 upward, the league creates valuable opportunities for young athletes to develop their skills and passion for the sport.
The league's structure includes numerous local clubs such as Anchorians, Milton And Fulston United, Rochester United, Real 60, and Sheerness East, fostering healthy community rivalries and camaraderie. Teams like Anchorians Jaguars, Cliffe Woods Colts, and Hempstead Valley compete regularly, building meaningful sporting traditions for families across Medway.
The 2024-2025 season continues to demonstrate the league's commitment to youth development, with fixtures scheduled through March 2025 and beyond. Weekly matches bring together hundreds of families, volunteers, and coaches who contribute to this thriving sporting community that has become an essential part of Medway's cultural fabric.
History
The Medway District Youth League was founded in 1972, making it one of the established youth football organizations in the Medway area of Kent. Since its inception, the league has grown significantly to become a cornerstone of youth football in the region.
Currently, the league hosts over 300 teams across various age groups. The structure begins with Under-7 teams and progresses through different youth categories, providing competitive opportunities for children of various ages and skill levels.
The league organizes regular fixtures throughout the football season, with matches typically played on weekends. Cup competitions add another dimension to the regular league schedule, creating excitement and opportunities for teams to compete for silverware.
St. George's Park features in the league's broader affiliation, connecting the local competition to England's national football center and its development philosophy.
Over the decades, the Medway District Youth League has maintained its focus on youth development and competitive play. The organization continues to serve as a vital platform for young footballers in the Medway area, helping to nurture talent and promote participation in the sport.
Age groups are carefully structured to ensure appropriate competition, with specific divisions like U7, U8, and U11 having their own dedicated leagues and cup tournaments.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Medway District Youth League organizes youth football across multiple age groups ranging from U7 to U18. Each age bracket is carefully structured to ensure appropriate competition levels for developing players.
For the youngest participants, the U7 category features divisions labeled as U7 A and U7 B, providing a gentle introduction to organized football. Similarly, the U8 age group expands into planetary-themed divisions: Jupiter, Mars, Pluto, and Saturn.
The U9 category mirrors the U8 structure with Jupiter, Mars, Pluto, and Saturn divisions. This creative naming system makes the league experience more engaging for young players.
As children progress through the age groups of U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, and U18, the league maintains appropriate competitive structures. Cup competitions begin from the U11 age group, with fixtures scheduled throughout the season.
The league's organization reflects a commitment to age-appropriate development, with fixtures typically played on Sundays. For the 2024-2025 season, cup draws for U11-U18 age groups were scheduled for early September, with matches set for September 15, 2024.
Each division operates with its own fixtures, standings, and competition rules tailored to the developmental needs of players at different ages.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Medway District Youth League (MDYL) is managed by a dedicated committee that oversees various aspects of youth football in the Medway area. Tim Gisby serves as both the Deputy Referees Officer and Public Relations Officer, demonstrating the multi-role nature of many committee members.
For club secretaries, the MDYL maintains a password-protected contact list that was most recently updated on January 9, 2025. This resource ensures efficient communication between league officials and participating clubs.
The league structure includes several key positions to manage different operational areas:
Key Committee Members:
- Deputy Referees Officer: Tim Gisby
- Public Relations Officer: Tim Gisby
- Additional committee members (roles may include Chairperson, Secretary, Fixtures Secretary, etc.)
Contact information for the league is available through their official channels. Club secretaries have access to the comprehensive contact list which is regularly updated to maintain accurate information.
The committee works collectively to organize competitions, manage fixtures, and ensure the smooth running of youth football across the Medway region. Their responsibilities likely include scheduling matches, arranging referees, and handling disciplinary matters.
For specific inquiries, team representatives can reach out to the appropriate committee member using the contact details provided in the protected document.
Teams
The Medway District Youth League features numerous youth football teams across various age groups throughout the Medway region. The league provides organized football opportunities for over 2,000 young players.
Several clubs field multiple teams across different age categories, from U7 to U12 and beyond. These teams compete in structured competitions appropriate for their age and skill level.
In the U7 category, some participating teams include:
- Anchorians U7 Lions
- Hempstead Valley U7
- Lordswood Youth U7 Tigers
- Medway Town U7 Black
- Medway United U7 North
- Milton And Fulston Utd U7
- Real 60 U7
The U8 division features clubs such as:
- Borden Village U8
- Chatham Town Youth U8
- Cliffe Woods Colts U8 United
- Lordswood Youth U8 Tigers
- Medway United U8 North
- Milton And Fulston Utd U8 Zebras
For the U11 age group, teams include:
- Anchorians U11 Jaguars
- Hempstead Valley U11 Colts
- Pegasus 81 U11 Flyers
- Rainham 84 Youth U11 Warriors
- Rainham Kenilworth Youth U11
- Real 60 U11 Panthers
The U12 category comprises clubs like AFC Minster U12 Red, Eagles U12, Iwade Herons U12 Colts, Lordswood Youth U12 Tigers, Medway Town U12 Black, Meopham Colts U12 Red, and Rochester City U12.
Players
The Medway District Youth League provides football opportunities for over 2,000 youth players across the Medway region. These young athletes compete across various age groups from under-7s through to under-18s.
Players develop their skills through regular league matches and cup competitions organized throughout the season. The league structure allows for appropriate competition levels based on ability and age.
Team participation varies widely, with clubs fielding multiple teams in different divisions. Notable clubs participating in the league include Anchorians, Pegasus 81, Real 60, and Wigmore Youth, each with their own youth development programs.
Registration for players typically occurs before the season begins, with transfers possible during designated windows. The league maintains strict regulations regarding player eligibility to ensure fair competition.
Many players in the Medway District Youth League benefit from qualified coaching, improving both technical skills and tactical understanding of the game. The focus remains on development rather than solely on competitive results.
The league emphasizes good sportsmanship and respect among players. These values are considered equally important as technical development in forming well-rounded young athletes.
Some talented players from the league have progressed to academy systems at professional clubs, demonstrating the quality of development within the competition.
