Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Oxfordshire Girls Football League (OGFL) provides a vibrant community for female footballers across the county, creating opportunities for girls aged 7 to 18 to develop their skills in a supportive environment. With over 2,100 players participating across more than 60 teams, the league has established itself as a cornerstone of youth football development in the region. The league offers various competitive and non-competitive formats to ensure all skill levels are accommodated.
Beyond traditional league structures, OGFL also features special programs like the Squad Girls' Football initiative, which provides a fun, non-competitive way for girls aged 12-14 to play locally. The autumn season features several divisions including the U10 A League and opportunities for older age groups through U16 competitions, demonstrating the comprehensive pathway available to young female players in Oxfordshire.
History
The Oxfordshire Girls Football League (OGFL) has established itself as a cornerstone for girls' football development in the region. Founded with the vision of creating opportunities for young female players, the league has grown significantly over the years.
The Oxfordshire Football Association, which provides governance for football in the county including the girls' league, was established on January 26, 1884, as noted in the official records. This longstanding organization has supported the development of various football competitions in the region.
The OGFL specifically focuses on providing competitive opportunities for girls aged 7-18, creating a safe and enjoyable environment for players to develop their skills and passion for the game.
Today, the league operates various age-group competitions, including the U10 A League (Autumn) and Under 11 Red divisions, allowing for appropriate developmental pathways for young players.
The league has become an integral part of the local community, working alongside clubs like Wallingford & Crowmarsh FC to promote girls' participation in football throughout Oxfordshire.
As girls' football continues to grow in popularity across the UK, the OGFL remains committed to expanding opportunities and maintaining high standards of competition and player development.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Oxfordshire Girls Football League (OGFL) provides competitive football opportunities across multiple age categories, catering to girls from 7 to 18 years old. The league is structured to accommodate players as they develop, with distinct age groups including U7, U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, and U18.
Within these age categories, the OGFL organizes various divisions to ensure appropriate competitive balance. For example, the U10 category features both A League and B League divisions, with separate autumn and spring competitions.
Older age groups such as U14, U15, and U16 are typically divided into color-coded divisions (Blue, Red, Green) to create appropriate competitive environments based on team abilities. This tiered approach helps match teams of similar skill levels.
The U18 division is structured geographically, with North and South divisions that reduce travel time for participating teams. These teams compete on Saturday mornings throughout the season, playing each opponent twice.
OGFL's comprehensive structure demonstrates its commitment to providing organized football opportunities for girls across Oxfordshire. The league continues to evolve its divisional structure to accommodate growing participation rates and ensure appropriate competitive balance.
The age group system allows players to progress through the ranks as they develop, providing a clear pathway for female footballers in the region from their earliest playing days through their teenage years.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Oxfordshire Girls Football League (OGFL) is managed by a dedicated committee that oversees all league operations. Parents should note that the league protocol requires them to direct all queries through their own club officials rather than contacting committee members directly.
For general inquiries about girls' football in Oxfordshire, the Oxfordshire FA can be reached via email at Support@OxfordshireFA.com.
Key staff at the Oxfordshire FA include:
- Jonathan Duckworth - Chief Executive Officer & Senior Safeguarding Lead
- Nigel Saverton - Head of Football Support Services
- Email: Support@OxfordshireFA.com
The OGFL provides a Welcome Pack/Guide for the 2024-2025 season which serves as an essential resource for all coaches, managers and volunteers involved with the league. This guide contains important contact information and operational details.
For those looking to get involved in girls' football in Oxfordshire, the "Find Football" tool on the Oxfordshire FA website helps connect players with their nearest clubs and sessions.
Club officials should familiarize themselves with proper communication channels and refer to the Welcome Pack for specific contact details of current committee members who oversee various aspects of league administration.
Teams
The Oxfordshire Girls Football League (OGFL) hosts a diverse array of teams across different age groups, providing competitive opportunities for girls throughout the county. According to recent information, the league supports over 2,100 girls participating in more than 60 teams.
Teams in the U10 age group include Barton United FC U10 Girls Warriors, Blewbury Amazons Girls Football Club U10, Didcot Town Youth U10 Girls, Kennington Athletic U10 Girls Greens, and Launton U10.
The U11 category features teams such as Witney Vikings Youth U11 Hornets Girls, Heyford Park Football Club U11 Girls, and Oxford Blackbirds Girls U11. These teams compete in both regular league matches and cup competitions.
The league structure accommodates players from ages 7 to 18, ensuring developmental pathways throughout childhood and adolescence. Teams are organized by both age group and skill level when appropriate.
Many clubs field multiple teams across different age categories, creating a strong community connection and allowing for player progression within the same club structure. Local communities across Oxfordshire are well-represented in the league.
The organization prioritizes creating a "safe and enjoyable environment" for all participants, with team activities designed to balance competitive play with positive developmental experiences.
Players
The Oxfordshire Girls Football League provides opportunities for over 2,100 girls across more than 60 teams throughout the county. Players range in age from 7 to 18 years old, creating a comprehensive pathway for young female footballers.
The league focuses on creating a safe and enjoyable environment for all participants. This commitment to player welfare helps explain the significant number of girls choosing to join the competition.
Players can find teams through the Oxfordshire FA's "Find Football" tool, which connects prospective players with clubs in their local area. This resource makes it easier for new players to enter the sport.
The developmental pathway includes various age groups:
- Wildcats: Entry-level program for younger players (ages 5-7)
- Youth Teams: Structured competition for ages 7-16
- Young Lionesses: Progression pathway for talented players
Many players begin their journey in the Wildcats program before moving into competitive team structures. This gradual introduction helps develop both technical skills and love for the game.
The league serves as an important stepping stone for talented players who may progress to elite pathways. Some successful graduates have advanced to regional talent centers and academy systems.
With continued growth in women's football nationally, the player base in Oxfordshire continues to expand each season. New teams frequently join the league structure to accommodate increasing demand.
