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This year, for the first time, Airedale HC will be running a Development Team in the Yorkshire-wide Development League. For reasons I haven’t quite worked out yet, I’ve volunteered to run this Development Team, so I've put together some background information on it, and, at the bottom of this email, outlining what I need from you if you are interested.
What is it?
It’s a mixed children-and-adults format, played on a full pitch, designed to provide competitive playing time for young players who are too old to play in the Under12s tournaments but are not yet finding places in adult teams. The emphasis is on participation: the matches are competitive, but the experience will be more important than the result. In addition, up to 4 adults can play in the team, to provide an element of coaching (we’ll ensure at least one of the coaches will be there) and also the all-important transport.
Who can play?
Men, women, boys and girls aged 12 and over. It is primarily designed for those boys and girls who are too old to play in Under 12s but are still to break into a regular spot in our Ladies 1st team or Men's 2nd team. We won't be calling on our U12s unless we need to: you'll be too easy winning the Yorkshire trophy this year, the one you won at U10s two years ago...
Can I play if I am already playing in another Airedale team?
In theory, yes. In practice, however,
- If you’re playing in the Men’s 1sts or Ladies 1sts you are probably far too skilful for this league! However, there is nothing to stop you from joining in if you want to play with your son/daughter
- As per above, if you are in the U12s team then you’ll only be called upon if we really, really need you.
- Generally, priority will be given to players who are not getting matches in any other team
What is the match format?
A single full-pitch, full-time match per week. There are some specific rules (eg, not more than 4 adults playing at any one time, if a child is in goal then adults can push or flick at goal but not hit, etc) to cater for the variation in sizes, and of course safety is always paramount.
What is the league format?
8 teams in the League. Each team plays every other team 3 times. I know this - playing 3 times - is a bit odd, but it's designed to provide a full season's worth of matches: 21 matches each. Every effort has been made to ensure that everyone has about the same number of home and away matches, and travelling time is pretty much evened out. No promotion, no relegation.
What teams are playing in the Yorkshire Development League?
The following Clubs are taking part:
Airedale
Barnsley
Bradford
Doncaster
Huddersfield
Rotherham
Slazengers (Sheffield)
York
What is the cost?
We will attempt to keep the costs to a minimum (need to cover petrol and after-match teas) and it depends on other sources of income, but in any event we will not be looking for more than £5 per player per match, and may not need to ask youngsters to pay.
What I need from you
So, calling all 12-yr olds, those of you who can't commit to playing week in week out in 1st or 2nds, those of us adults lacking the skill or speed to get into other teams, returning Mums and Dads, and most of all - teenagers: are you interested? If you are, please get back to me letting me know, and also
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Development League
