Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Young Elizabethan League, affectionately known as YEL, is a prominent youth football organization serving the East Midlands region. The YEL East Midlands SUNDAY league provides competitive football opportunities for various age groups, including multiple divisions at the U14 level such as Spring Premier, Division 1 Gold and Silver, and Division 2 Gold and Silver categories. These divisions ensure that teams can compete at appropriate skill levels while developing their abilities.
Founded with the mission to create enjoyable football experiences for boys and girls, the YEL has become an integral part of youth sports in the area. The league organizes regular fixtures throughout different seasons, including winter and spring competitions that keep young players engaged year-round.
Beyond regular league matches, YEL also hosts special events like the Forest Academy festival, which provides additional competitive opportunities for developing teams. With dedicated volunteer support and a strong focus on respect and positive sporting values, the league continues to nurture the next generation of footballers across the East Midlands.
History
The Young Elizabethan League, commonly known as YEL, has been a cornerstone of youth football in the East Midlands region for many years. The league specifically created the Sunday division to accommodate increasing demand for weekend matches.
YEL East Midlands SUNDAY has grown substantially since its inception, now featuring thousands of teams across various age groups and divisions. The name "Young Elizabethan" reflects its founding during Queen Elizabeth II's reign, giving it historical significance within English football.
The league has maintained consistent tracking of participation, with visitor counters showing nearly 2.9 million hits on their official platforms. This demonstrates the sustained community interest and engagement over time.
YEL provides structured competition opportunities for both boys and girls throughout the region. Their mission emphasizes creating positive football experiences for young players rather than focusing solely on competitive outcomes.
The organization maintains comprehensive records of fixtures, results, and tables to track team performance across seasons. This historical data helps maintain competitive balance and appropriate divisional placements.
Over the years, YEL East Midlands SUNDAY has established itself as one of the region's premier youth football competitions. Its longevity speaks to successful administration and continued relevance to the community it serves.
Age Groups and Divisions
The YEL East Midlands SUNDAY league features multiple age groups to accommodate young footballers at various developmental stages. Current records show the league includes age groups from U7 to U14, ensuring children from early primary years through early teens have appropriate competitive opportunities.
Each age group is organized into specific divisions to match skill levels and create balanced competition. The U14 Sunday division includes a Spring Premier category, allowing for seasonal scheduling that adapts to player development throughout the year.
The 2024-25 season continues the league's tradition of structured play across all age brackets. This follows previous successful seasons including 2019-20 and 2023-24, demonstrating the league's established presence in youth football.
Players can participate in both YEL Saturday and Sunday leagues, offering additional playing opportunities for enthusiastic young footballers. This flexibility allows children to gain more match experience and develop their skills more rapidly.
The league ensures appropriate competition by carefully organizing divisions within each age group. This structure helps maintain fair play while allowing young players to develop at a pace suitable to their abilities.
Silent Support weekends are occasionally implemented across all age groups, encouraging positive sideline behavior and allowing young players to develop decision-making skills without excessive adult intervention.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Young Elizabethan League (YEL) East Midlands SUNDAY operates with a dedicated team of volunteers managing all aspects of youth football operations. The league serves thousands of young players across the East Midlands region.
For general inquiries, the primary contact method is email at office@yelonline.com. This address handles most administrative questions and registration information.
Parents and coaches seeking more information about the league's structure can participate in informal online information sessions. These sessions provide valuable insights into how YEL is organized and managed.
The league can also be reached through social media, with an active presence on X (formerly Twitter) under the handle @YELNottm. Their social media showcases the league's achievements, including their recognition as the National FA 'League of the Year 2023'.
Key contacts include:
- League Secretary: Handles official correspondence
- Fixtures Secretary: Manages match scheduling
- Registration Officer: Processes player registrations
- Welfare Officer: Ensures safeguarding protocols
Committee meetings occur monthly during the season to address ongoing operations and resolve any issues within the league structure.
For specific division inquiries, team managers should contact their division representative directly through the contact information provided at the season's beginning.
Teams
The Young Elizabethan League (YEL) East Midlands SUNDAY features numerous teams across various age groups. Teams are regularly adjusted to ensure competitive and fun matches, particularly for younger players.
For age groups U7s to U14s, teams are organized based on ability levels. This approach helps create balanced competitions where children can develop their skills appropriately.
Some notable U14 teams in the league include:
- Attenborough Colts Blue
- Cotgrave FC Blue
- Heanor Town Lions
- Hucknall Sports White
- Mansfield Magpies
- Mapperley All Stars United
The U13 division includes teams such as:
- Eastwood C F.C.U13 Gold
- Blidworth Welfare Colts
- Clipstone Welfare Colts U13 Benfica
- Clipstone Welfare Colts U13 Porto
- Codnor Boys U13 Warriors
YEL also hosts special events like the Forest Academy festival, which accommodates 12 teams at the under 8s level. These festivals typically focus on specific team levels, such as level 2 teams.
Teams participate in Sunday fixtures throughout the season, providing consistent opportunities for player development and competitive matches across the East Midlands region.
Players
The YEL East Midlands SUNDAY league provides opportunities for thousands of youth players across the region. With over 17,000 registered participants according to their social media presence, it represents one of the largest youth football organizations in the UK.
Players range from Under-7 to Under-14 age groups, developing their skills in a structured competitive environment each weekend. The league serves as a crucial developmental platform for young footballers in the East Midlands area.
Registration is managed through an online system that enables efficient organization of teams and players. This helps maintain accurate records and ensures all participants meet eligibility requirements.
Player development remains a central focus, with the league structure designed to foster technical skills and tactical understanding. Matches are organized appropriately for each age group, with pitch sizes, game duration, and team formats tailored accordingly.
The league accommodates various skill levels, allowing players of different abilities to compete appropriately. This inclusive approach has contributed to the league's growth and popularity in the region.
Key Player Statistics:
- Age Range: U7-U14
- Registered Players: ~17,000
- Teams: 1,400+
- Match Days: Primarily Sundays
Players participate weekly throughout the season, gaining valuable experience in competitive matches organized across the East Midlands region.
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