Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Weetabix Youth Football League serves young players in Kettering and surrounding areas, providing structured competition and development opportunities for youth footballers. The league offers comprehensive resources for the 2024-25 season, including rules guidelines, fixture dates, and handbooks specifically designed for mini soccer programs. With an active social media presence, the organization maintains connections with families, coaches, and players throughout the community.
The league emphasizes creating a positive environment for children's football, reminding participants that respect for referees is essential to maintaining the spirit of the game. This community-based approach has helped the Weetabix Youth Football League become an important part of the local sports landscape, fostering both athletic skills and sportsmanship among young players.
History
The Weetabix Youth Football League has a rich history spanning approximately four decades in the Kettering area and surrounding regions of the United Kingdom. Founded around the 1980s by John Sellers and Ken Burton, the league was established to provide organized football opportunities for young players.
John Sellers' contribution to the formation of the league represents a significant legacy in local youth sports. As confirmed by League Chairman Gerald Hawthorn, Sellers and Burton worked together as the founding members to create what would become an important institution for youth football.
Over the years, the league has grown considerably in both size and influence. It has maintained strong community connections while providing a structured environment for young footballers to develop their skills.
The league operates with a focus on creating a positive sporting experience, emphasizing both fun and safety as core values. This philosophy has helped it attract numerous participants throughout its history.
By 2025, the Weetabix Youth Football League reached record participation numbers. The beginning of that year saw an unprecedented number of players registered for the second half of the season, demonstrating the league's continued growth and relevance.
The league maintains an active presence on social media platforms, using these channels to communicate with the community and promote youth football in the Kettering area.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Weetabix Youth Football League offers competitive football opportunities across multiple age groups for young players. The league structure includes divisions for children from Under 7 (U7) through Under 16 (U16).
Age groups are organized into specific divisions based on skill level and competition requirements. For the Under 16 category, the league features three divisions: Division 1, Division 2, and Division 3, providing appropriate competitive environments for teams of varying abilities.
The Under 15 age group is structured with at least two divisions: Division 1 and Division 2. Similarly, the league accommodates younger players with dedicated divisions for Under 14 (U14), Under 13 (U13), and Under 12 (U12) teams.
For the development of even younger footballers, the Weetabix Youth Football League includes structured play for Under 11 (U11), Under 10 (U10), Under 9 (U9), Under 8 (U8), and Under 7 (U7) age groups.
The league follows standard youth football guidelines, with rules specifically tailored to players under 11s to under 18s. This comprehensive structure ensures that approximately 163 teams can participate across all divisions.
This age-based approach aligns with national trends in youth football, where the majority of organizations follow similar structures to create fair competition and appropriate development pathways for young players.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Weetabix Youth Football League is managed by a dedicated committee of volunteers who oversee operations for youth football in Kettering and surrounding areas.
The league's President is Neville Tingle, who can be reached at 01536 482182 or via email at nevilletingle@gmail.com. He serves alongside an Honorary Vice President position as part of the management structure.
The committee for the 2020-21 season was formally established with these leadership roles to ensure proper administration of the league's activities. Additional committee members work together to coordinate fixtures, handle registrations, and manage the various age divisions.
The league maintains an active social media presence through Facebook, where they regularly post updates about matches, schedules, and other important information. Their Facebook page shows engagement with the local community, with hundreds of followers and regular interaction.
For teams seeking postponements or schedule changes, the league has established a formal 30-day postponement request process. This system helps maintain organization across the multiple youth divisions operating under the Weetabix banner.
Contact with specific division coordinators can be arranged through the league's official channels for teams requiring assistance with registration, fixtures, or other administrative matters.
Teams
The Weetabix Youth Football League features numerous teams from Kettering and surrounding areas in Northamptonshire. As of 2025, the league has reached a record number of registered players, reflecting its growing popularity among young footballers.
Teams are organized into age-specific divisions, typically ranging from Under-7s through to Under-18s. Each division contains multiple teams that compete throughout the season, which is split into two halves.
Local clubs often field several teams across different age groups within the league structure. These teams represent various communities and neighborhoods throughout the Kettering district.
Key Features of Teams:
- Most teams train weekly
- Match fixtures typically occur on weekends
- Teams require qualified coaches and officials
- Each team must adhere to league regulations and safeguarding policies
The 2024-2025 season has been particularly notable with increased participation. According to league communications, they entered 2025 with the highest number of players ever registered.
Many teams in the league have access to club facilities, though this varies by location. The league has recently emphasized the importance of safety equipment, including encouraging clubs to maintain defibrillators at their facilities.
Parents and volunteers form the backbone of team operations, serving as coaches, assistants, and administrators to keep the youth football community thriving throughout the Kettering area.
Players
The Weetabix Youth Football League boasts a vibrant community of young footballers across various age groups. As of March 2025, the league has reached a record number of registered players for the second half of the 2024-2025 season.
Player development remains central to the league's mission, with emphasis on both technical skills and sportsmanship. Teams like Corby Town U16 Youth, Mawsley U16 Lions, and Irchester Romans U16 Gladiators represent just a few of the competitive squads in the U16 division.
The league structure allows players to progress through age-appropriate divisions, ensuring proper development at each stage. Most teams field between 14-18 players, though squad sizes may vary between age groups and divisions.
Top Performing Teams (U16 Division):
| Position | Team | Matches Played |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corby Town U16 Youth | 7 |
| 2 | Mawsley U16 Lions | 7 |
| 3 | Irchester Romans U16 Gladiators | 8 |
| 4 | Ise Lodge U16 Kestrels | 9 |
Players participate in weekly matches throughout the season, with additional tournament opportunities during holidays. The league prioritizes creating a FUN & SAFE environment for all participants.
Many former Weetabix Youth League players have progressed to semi-professional and professional clubs, demonstrating the quality of talent development within the system. Scouts from regional academies regularly attend matches to identify promising young footballers.
