Welcome to the Barnsley And District Junior Football League

FORMED JULY 2015

MESSAGE FROM GAVIN - LEAGUE SECRETARY (FOUNDER)

As secretary to the Barnsley & District Junior Football League, I was honoured to receive two amazing awards in 2019. In June I received the HALLAM FM HERO AWARD for CONTRIBUTION TO SPORT IN BOTH YORKSHIRE & HUMBERSIDE.  Supporting young up and coming boys and girls wanting to develop football skills in their local communities. This was soon followed in August 2019 receiving THE PROUD OF BARNSLEY AWARD - CHILDRENS CHAMPION. Both awards came as a total shock to me, however, I could not have achieved either of these awards without the talented team of volunteers I have supporting both myself and the league, these awards go to show how much we have achieved and just how far we have come.

We formed the league on July 7th, 2015, affiliating to the Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA and now we have just celebrated our 8^th birthday. We continue to offer both organized and structured grassroots junior football for ages from Under 7 to Under 11. We have all been affected with the Covid-19 Pandemic, a very surreal time for everyone throughout the world. An exceedingly challenging time for all of us, with the initial lockdown forcing us to have to void the 2019/20 season, also having to inform everyone was very difficult and heart wrenching yet we continue to amaze ourselves. Just like on a football pitch, we are all fighters and all winners as we will not be beaten, if anything, this has made us even stronger, so its onwards and upwards, this is testament to how much our teams have enjoyed participation in the league.

We have an extraordinary strong and committed management team in place, all working together to grow the League. Our aim is to be one of the best leagues in Yorkshire, although I continue to believe as does my management team that we are already. We all want the same thing, share the same goals and love what we do. Without these guys I/we would not be where we are today. I do not want to single any one person out as what we have is A GREAT TEAM again giving us the strength, all are working together, and as I have already said, I cannot say it enough, I am so proud of everyone involved to have an association with these guys, long may it continue.

With the re-introduction of being able to restart the 2021/22 season has been a real test for us, it was for real struggle for me personally, both physically, and mentally. One thing I have learned over the last couple of years is to always look forward and continue to have a positive attitude no matter what life throws at us, we all have our ups and downs, everyone’s mental health and well-being has impacted enormously on everyone, we need to keep up the fight and stay strong to achieve our goals. I am so VERY PROUD with everyone involved, people soon forget that we are all volunteers in whatever role we have, that starts from the young players right through to the managers and assistants running the teams, the club’s secretaries, and all the volunteers. Everyone associated to all the teams and clubs have been fantastic, just look what we have managed to achieve together.

Yet again, we find ourselves having to reshuffle a few things around, the first step was to look at the teams we have moving forward and new teams joining us so we can restructure the league divisions in all the age groups. We also need to look at the development of our cup competitions, we will do working together with the SHCFA and our member clubs, this will be a work in progress as we want every team to be given the opportunity to develop all their players no matter what their abilities and seeing the smiles and jubilation on everyone’s faces which is what makes it all worthwhile.

Our continued objective is to stay resolute and true to our beliefs and to ensure the league, member clubs and teams continue to have plenty of football every week. We are also dedicated to the development of our clubs and their coaches who are all thriving to achieve the FA Accreditation which has replaced the FA Charter Standard Award and we will continue to give our support to developing all our coaches to achieve the required FA DBS, FA Safeguarding and FA Level 1 Coaching Qualifications.

Our Chairman, Brian Curry once summed everything up when he mentioned “it is not down to just the management team but to all secretaries, coaches and volunteers involved in your clubs including parents/carers and   children” and everyone concerned, should give each other a huge pat on the back and be PROUD. “Looking ahead to the forthcoming season I can tell you that the League is in a stable and financially good position. All the hard work and time that everyone puts in is for the benefit of the kids so once again, keep up the excellent work and let us have a great 2023/24 season, keep up the excellent work”.

As Secretary of the BDJFL I want to re-iterate what Brian said and thank everyone who is and has previously been involved with the League. Some seasons have been incredibly challenging, we all to work extremely hard and with all the changes around guidance, regulations, and restrictions it is the important that the young players involved in football across our region look forward to returning to playing and reconnecting with their friends and teammates. Similarly, leagues and competitions should continue to show resilience and the huge amount of effort along with the tireless work of the army of volunteers that make junior grassroots football happen which is exceptional continue to be active.

People quickly forget that we are all volunteers in whatever role we have, that starts from the young players right through the individuals running the teams and clubs and the league management team. I want to wish all our teams the best of luck in your respective age groups and divisions, have a fantastic season and enjoy every       minute of it and have fun along the way, it is not always about the winning, it is about the taking part, enjoy!!

Yours in Sport
Gavin Logan - BDJFL Secretary