Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Nottinghamshire Girls and Ladies Football League stands as one of the premier organizations for women's football in the East Midlands region. With over 3,500 female players participating across multiple age groups from Under 7 to Senior Adult, the league provides essential opportunities for girls and women to develop their football skills in a competitive environment. Since its establishment, the league has earned Charter Standard status, reflecting its commitment to quality coaching, safeguarding, and player development.
The league operates with a comprehensive structure including regular fixtures, tabulated results, and statistical tracking that enables teams and players to monitor their progress throughout the season. This organization has built a strong community presence, with thousands of followers engaging with their updates and news across various platforms, demonstrating the growing popularity of women's football in Nottinghamshire.
Beyond simply organizing matches, the Nottinghamshire Girls and Ladies Football League represents a vital pathway for female footballers in the region. Their systematic approach to league management ensures fair competition while their commitment to inclusive participation has helped expand opportunities for female players at all skill levels across the county.
History
The Nottinghamshire Girls and Ladies Football League (NGLFL) was founded in 1985. With over four decades of history, it has grown to become one of the prominent female football leagues in the region.
Currently, the league boasts over 100 clubs and approximately 2,000 players across its divisions. This substantial growth demonstrates the increasing popularity of women's football in Nottinghamshire.
The league operates as a Charter Standard League, highlighting its commitment to maintaining high standards in football administration and development. This designation indicates that the NGLFL meets specific criteria established by football governing bodies.
The NGLFL provides competitive football opportunities for females aged 7 and above. This inclusive approach has helped build a strong pathway for female players in the region.
Through its long-standing presence, the league has contributed significantly to the development of women's football in Nottinghamshire. Many local teams, including those affiliated with professional clubs like Nottingham Forest, have connections to the league's development system.
Social media presence has helped the league expand its reach, with thousands of followers engaging with content across various platforms. This digital footprint has helped modernize the league's operations and community engagement efforts.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Nottinghamshire Girls and Ladies Football League offers comprehensive playing opportunities across multiple age categories. The league structure accommodates players from Under 7 (U7) through to Open/Senior adult teams.
For youth development, the age groups include U7, U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, and U18. Each age group typically has its own divisions based on skill level and geographical considerations.
The league serves as a vital pathway for female footballers in the Nottinghamshire region, providing competitive matches appropriate to players' ages and abilities.
With over 3,500 female players participating across all age groups, the league represents one of the largest women's and girls' football competitions in the region.
The structure allows for progressive development, with players able to advance through age groups as they grow and develop their skills. This tiered approach ensures appropriate competition levels for all participants.
The Open/Senior division represents the pinnacle of the league structure, where adult teams compete in various divisions based on skill and performance levels.
Each division operates with its own fixtures, results, and league tables, creating meaningful competition while fostering player development and enjoyment of the game.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Nottinghamshire Girls and Ladies Football League (NGLFL) operates with a dedicated committee structure for the 2024-2025 season. Leadership positions are clearly defined to ensure proper management of league operations.
Lee Smith serves as the Chair of the NGLFL and can be reached at nglflchair@gmail.com. For general league matters, Steve Gray fulfills the role of League Secretary and handles communications at secretary@nglfl.co.uk.
Player registration is an essential administrative function within the league. The committee includes a designated Player Registration Officer who oversees all aspects of player eligibility and documentation.
Club communication typically flows through primary club contacts. The league sends important notices and directives to these designated individuals, including time-sensitive information from The FA requiring immediate action.
The league maintains comprehensive contact lists for the 2024-2025 season. These lists include committee members, club representatives, and other important stakeholders involved in the operation of both the senior and youth divisions.
Regular updates from the committee are shared via official channels to keep clubs informed. Important announcements are also distributed through social media platforms to reach the wider NGLFL community.
Teams
The Nottinghamshire Girls and Ladies Football League hosts a diverse range of teams across multiple age groups and divisions. With over 3,500 female players participating, the league provides valuable competitive opportunities for girls and women throughout the region.
Teams in the league range from Under 7 to Senior Adult categories, creating a complete pathway for female footballers of all ages and skill levels.
The Senior Division includes clubs like Hucknall Town F.C. Women, who compete in the Seniors Division 1. This structured approach allows for appropriate competition and development at each level.
The league organizes fixtures throughout the season, including during school holidays such as the February half-term, ensuring consistent playing opportunities for all teams.
Teams participate in regular league matches, with results and standings tracked to maintain competitive balance. This organization helps teams measure their progress throughout the season.
The league's Charter Standard status indicates it meets quality standards set by football governing bodies. This designation ensures teams benefit from well-organized competition and proper administration.
While not as large as some other regional competitions (like Kent's girls football league with nearly 300 teams), the Nottinghamshire Girls and Ladies League remains a significant platform for female football in the East Midlands.
Players
The Nottinghamshire Girls and Ladies Football League provides playing opportunities for over 3,500 female footballers across the region. The league caters to a wide age range, from Under 7s just starting their football journey to Senior Adult players.
Player development is a core focus of the league, with emphasis placed on creating an environment where young athletes can develop their skills and confidence. For youth divisions, players' names are no longer publicly displayed in match reports and team listings, prioritizing safeguarding.
The league encourages players to find their voice and make their own decisions on the pitch. This player-centered approach aims to foster independence and enjoyment of the game.
Age groups in the league include:
- Under 7s
- Under 9s
- Under 11s
- Under 13s
- Under 15s
- Under 18s
- Senior Adult
Many clubs within the league field multiple teams across different age categories, creating pathways for players to progress through the ranks. This structure helps maintain continuity in player development and ensures opportunities at every stage.
The league operates under Charter Standard certification, ensuring qualified coaching and appropriate player support systems are in place. This commitment to quality helps maintain high standards for all participating players.
