Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The North Devon Youth League stands as a vibrant community football organization serving over 2,000 young players across North Devon. With 144 teams from 19 clubs participating in weekend matches, the league creates valuable sporting opportunities for both boys and girls throughout the region. These matches typically take place on Saturdays and Sundays, creating a consistent schedule for young athletes and their families.
The league recognizes achievement through an end-of-season awards ceremony where trophies are presented to outstanding teams and individuals. This celebration acknowledges the development and commitment of youth players who have demonstrated skill and sportsmanship throughout the competitive season. The recognition serves as motivation for participants while highlighting the league's commitment to youth development.
Competition is organized into various age groups and divisions, including specialized leagues like the U16 Europa League. This structured approach ensures appropriate competition levels for players of different ages and abilities, fostering skill development in a supportive environment. The North Devon Youth League continues to be an important part of the regional sports community, providing structured play opportunities that support physical activity and team building skills.
History
The North Devon Youth League has a rich football tradition dating back to 1976 when it was first established. The league serves as a crucial platform for youth football development in the North Devon region.
Based on the search results, the league keeps detailed records of winners across various age groups. For example, the U/9 age group features multiple competition categories including league winners, cup winners, and plate winners.
The U/11 age group records show that Bideford Blues dominated during the 1993-94 season by winning both the league and cup competitions. This documentation helps preserve the competitive history of youth football in the region.
Similarly, the U/16 division maintains comprehensive historical records of all champions since the league's inception. These records are accessible by clicking on each respective age group's history section.
The youth league operates alongside the senior North Devon Association Football League, which was founded in 1904. Together, they provide a complete pathway for football development in the region.
The North Devon Football League covers a geographical area within approximately a 30-mile radius, ensuring local accessibility for teams and players throughout the North Devon area.
Age Groups and Divisions
The NORTH DEVON Youth League features a comprehensive structure of age groups and divisions to accommodate young footballers of different ages and skill levels. The league primarily includes age categories from Under-8 to Under-16, with special provisions for girls' teams.
For younger players, the league offers Under-8, Under-9, and Under-10 divisions, introducing children to organized football in an appropriate competitive environment. Some age groups, like Under-10, have specific girls' divisions to encourage female participation in the sport.
The middle-tier age groups include Under-11, Under-12, and Under-13 divisions. These categories often feature multiple competitive tiers, typically organized as "Champions League" and "Europa League" divisions, reflecting different skill levels.
For older youth players, the league provides Under-14, Under-15, and Under-16 divisions. These age groups are frequently split into Group 1 and Group 2 divisions based on competitive balance and team numbers.
Girls' football is well-represented with dedicated divisions across multiple age brackets, including Under-11, Under-13, and Under-15 girls' divisions. This structure ensures appropriate competitive opportunities for female players throughout their youth development.
The league follows a progressive structure where the U18 Premier Division represents the top level, followed by U16 Premier Division, U15 Premier Division, and so on down the age groups.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The North Devon Youth League maintains a comprehensive contact system to facilitate communication between clubs, officials, and parents. According to available information, the league distributes full contact listings to all participating teams at the beginning of each season.
For the current season, club representatives can find a complete list of contacts in the attachment provided by the league. Any missing details should be submitted via email to ensure the directory remains current.
The league organizes contacts by age groups, making it easier for teams to coordinate fixtures. Clubs are advised to call at least five days before scheduled match dates to confirm arrangements.
For the Girls' division, contacts are similarly organized by age groups. Braunton's U13 team, for example, is managed by Frank Stone, who can be reached at 07879 420247 or 01769 560935.
League Area Coverage:
- South Molton to Morwenstow
- Ilfracombe to Hatherleigh
The North Devon Athletic Club, which operates in the same region, has a committee structure including:
- Chris Norman
- Rob Linskill
- Gordon Back
- Mark Brace
- Steve Choules
- Janet Regan
- David Leworthy
- Marco Oliveira
- Geoff (surname not provided)
The league actively seeks sponsorship opportunities, highlighting its thriving youth football community across North Devon.
Teams
The North Devon Youth League boasts an impressive roster of 144 teams from 19 clubs, with over 2,000 young players participating in regular matches. Boys and girls compete on both Saturdays and Sundays throughout the season.
Among the participating teams are Fremington Youth, Braunton Girls, Hatherleigh Youth, South Molton Junior, Holsworthy Youth, and Bideford Blues & Appledore Junior. These clubs field teams across various age groups.
In the U10 Girls division, top teams include Fremington Youth U10 Girls, Braunton Girls U10 Blues, Braunton Girls U10 Whites, and Hatherleigh Youth U10 Lionesses. These teams showcase the league's commitment to developing youth female football.
The U12 division features South Molton Junior, Holsworthy Youth, Bideford Blues & Appledore Junior, and Fremington Youth teams competing against each other. Each team plays approximately 5 matches in this age group.
In the older U16 category, Morwenstow Youth and Bideford Blues & Appledore Junior Blues lead the competition with 12 matches played each. These teams represent the continued development pathway through the age groups.
At the conclusion of each season, the league recognizes outstanding performance with trophy presentations to successful teams. This tradition celebrates the achievements of young players throughout North Devon.
Players
The North Devon Youth League showcases talented young footballers across various age groups in the region. Players range from under-7s to under-18s, with both boys and girls participating in competitive matches throughout the season.
Youth development is a key focus for clubs in the league, with teams like Bideford Blues & Appledore Junior, Northam Lions Youth FC, and Ilfracombe Town Youth all nurturing promising talent. Each club provides coaching and match experience to help players improve their skills.
The league features over 120 teams, creating opportunities for numerous young athletes to compete regularly. This significant number demonstrates the popularity of youth football in North Devon.
Teams like Hatherleigh Youth U12 and South Molton Junior U12 have performed well in their respective divisions. These clubs have established strong player development pathways.
Girls' football continues to grow within the league, with dedicated teams like Northam Lions Youth FC U10 Lionesses providing opportunities for female players to develop their skills in a competitive environment.
Local clubs often collaborate with schools to identify promising players and provide them with additional training opportunities. This community approach helps maintain a steady flow of talent into the league.
