Grassroots Football News

The league was started after representatives from some of the clubs involved came together with the Grassroots Development Officer for North Down, Craig Bowers to discuss their concerns about football for children under 12 years old. 

It was decided that a local Mini Soccer League would be the best way to provide opportunities for young players to play regularly and develop their game. The 7-a-side mini soccer league started in mid-September and has just finished on Saturday 10th November with a finals day, held at Ward Park, Bangor with around 120 children taking part. The teams competing were: Groomsport ( 3 teams) Castle Juniors (3 teams) Bangor Swifts (2 teams) Bryansburn Rangers Youth section (2 teams) Northland Raiders (1 team) Bangor Rangers (1 team).

The matches were played in Groomsport Ward Park, with around 120 kids playing each week.Over the short league period, teams played two 20 minute matches each week. When all league fixtures were played the league table was split into 3 tiers so each team would finish with a Semi Final on Finals day for the 3 trophies available.I

n the A Final, it was an all Groomsport final with Groomsport '2' narrowly beating Groomsport '1'. In the B Final, Bryansburn '1' came out on top in a very close encounter with Northland Raiders, which was very encouraging since the Raiders were made up mostly of girls with only one boy in their squad! Bangor Rangers beat Castle Juniors in the C Final.After the finals, the winning teams received trophies and Glentoran manager, Alan McDonald, presented each child from all of the other teams with medals.

Craig Bowers said "The League has been a great success. We have about 120 kids playing each week in a fun, friendly environment and really enjoying football.  It's clear to see that with the large numbers of parents who attend each week that it's been worthwhile. Some of the children I spoke to before their semi final matches were telling me how excited they were. Jack Glendenning, who plays for Groomsport, told me he was so excited that he couldn't sleep!  I must give a massive thanks to Robert Lyle and Colin Gore from Groomsport for their great organisation and smooth running of the league. Without them it wouldn't have went so well.  Thanks must also go to all the team managers and their assistants for bringing their teams every week and for the parents who brought great support to the league."

There will now be a short break for a few weeks and then teams will get together for some indoor dates to keep teams together over the Winter months, so they are ready for the league starting up again at the end of February.