Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The North East Hampshire Youth League (NEHYL Girls) stands as a cornerstone for female youth football development in the Hampshire region. With a strong focus on encouraging participation, the league provides structured competition for girls' teams across various age groups. The NEHYL supports initiatives that enable teams to play locally while promoting the growth and development of girls' football throughout Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Surrey.
This England Accredited Football League, sanctioned by Hampshire FA, offers a comprehensive setup including regular fixtures, results tracking, league tables, and statistics. The league's commitment to youth development extends beyond regular season play, with special events like their football festival which attracted 46 teams at Frimley Lodge in October 2024.
The NEHYL Girls league emphasizes respect and sportsmanship, as evidenced by their prominent "Respect" initiative mentioned on their platform. Their community-focused approach has helped build a substantial following, with over 1.3 million visitors to their online resources, demonstrating the growing popularity and importance of girls' football in the region.
History
The North East Hampshire Youth League (NEHYL) has a rich history dating back to 1970. It was initially formed as the Farnborough and District Boys League, serving youth football in the region.
After 12 years of operation, the organization underwent a name change in 1983. It officially became the North East Hampshire Youth League, which remains its identity to this day.
The league expanded its offerings in the 2002-2003 season by introducing girls' football. This initiative began with eight founding teams: Reading Girls, Bracknell Cavaliers, California FC, Fleet Town Girls, and Hartley Wintney among others.
Since its inception, NEHYL Girls has grown significantly, now offering competitive opportunities across multiple age groups. The league primarily serves communities across Hampshire, Surrey, and Berkshire & Buckinghamshire.
The organization maintains a structured competitive environment with regular fixtures, results tracking, and league tables. This framework helps support youth development through organized grassroots football.
NEHYL Girls is committed to promoting youth football at the grassroots level. The league continues to focus on providing opportunities for female players to develop their skills and passion for the sport.
Age Groups and Divisions
The North East Hampshire Youth League (NEHYL Girls) offers competitive football across multiple age categories, providing structured play for young female footballers in the region. The league organizes competitions for girls from U7 through to U13 age groups.
For the youngest participants, the U7 division features the "Mary Earps - Youth Heading Trial" category, named after the prominent England goalkeeper. This division focuses on early skills development and safe play practices.
The U8 category includes multiple divisions such as "Lucy Bronze Winter (NDH)" and "Beth Mead Winter (NDH)," honoring these England women's football stars. These divisions help young players develop fundamental skills in a supportive environment.
Moving up the age brackets, NEHYL Girls provides competition for U9, U10, and U11 players. The U9 division features the "Arthurian S2" group, while U11 includes the "Athenian" division.
Each age group operates with appropriate rules and pitch sizes to match developmental stages. Divisions are structured to ensure competitive balance and maximize player development opportunities.
The league represents part of the pathway for young female footballers in Hampshire and surrounding counties, including Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Surrey.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The North East Hampshire Youth League (NEHYL Girls) is managed by a dedicated committee of volunteers who oversee various aspects of league operations. For general league inquiries, members can contact the League Secretary, Mark Culverhouse, at 0345 652 0638.
Referee-related matters are handled by Phil Rush, the Referee Secretary, who can be reached at 07921 781746. This contact is especially useful for match officials and teams with questions about officiating.
For specific inquiries about the girls' flexible league format, Andrew Hall serves as the point of contact. He can be reached via email at girlsflexileague@nehyl.org.uk or by phone at 07355 006716.
Club committee members have access to contact details for other member clubs through the league's system. This facilitates communication between teams and helps coordinate fixtures and other administrative matters.
Key Contacts:
- League Secretary: Mark Culverhouse (0345 652 0638)
- Referee Secretary: Phil Rush (07921 781746)
- Girls' Flexible League: Andrew Hall (girlsflexileague@nehyl.org.uk / 07355 006716)
The league also offers assistance in connecting girls with clubs that focus on developing female football talent. Contact information for these clubs can be provided upon request.
Teams
The North East Hampshire Youth League (NEHYL Girls) features numerous teams from various clubs across Hampshire and neighboring counties. The league has grown significantly since its inception in 2002-2003, which began with just eight founder teams.
Some of the founding teams included Reading Girls, Bracknell Cavaliers, California FC, Fleet Town Girls, and Hartley Wintney. These pioneers helped establish girls' grassroots football in the region.
Current teams in the NEHYL Girls league include AFC Fleet Cobras, Ash United Flames, Beacon Hill Hawks, and Bourne Blades Badgers. The competitive structure also features Camberley Town Raiders, Cove Youth Pumas, and Curley Park Rangers Tigers.
Fleet Town continues its participation in the league, maintaining a legacy of supporting girls' football development. Other active teams include Churt Girls Supersonics, Eversley & California Phoenix, Haslemere Town Lions, and Headley Youth Pumas.
The league now hosts significant events for its members, including festivals that attract numerous teams. A recent football festival held at Frimley Lodge reached capacity with 46 teams participating, demonstrating the league's popularity and growth.
Teams compete in organized league tables, with regular fixtures throughout the season. The structure allows for competitive play while maintaining the grassroots spirit that has characterized the league since its foundation.
Players
The North East Hampshire Youth League (NEHYL Girls) supports youth football development for female players of various age groups. Players in the league range from under-7s to older youth categories, with teams organized by age brackets.
Player names are no longer publicly displayed for youth leagues due to safeguarding policies. This protection measure ensures the privacy and safety of young participants while they develop their football skills.
The league features numerous teams like Alton Youth U07 Lions, with players competing in structured matches throughout the season. The U07 "Mary Earps" division, named after the England goalkeeper, represents one of the league's age-specific competitions.
NEHYL actively encourages girls to participate in football through various development initiatives. Their focus remains on creating accessible local playing opportunities for female youth players.
Player development is central to the league's mission, with matches and training designed to nurture technical skills and team collaboration. The league operates across Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Surrey, providing competitive opportunities for young female footballers throughout these regions.
Registration for players typically occurs before each season, with teams submitting squad information according to league guidelines. Age verification ensures fair competition within appropriate developmental groups.
