Women’s Recreational Football in Staffordshire is changing. In 2017, Staffordshire FA introduced the Ladies Over 30’s league, following the first two seasons of delivery - the need for further female recreational football within the county was apparent.

For this reason, as of 2018, Staffordshire FA are committed to offering females further opportunity to enjoy flexible football in addition to the traditional football that is already on offer. There will be 3 strands to Women’s Recreational Football in Staffordshire; Midweek Small Sided Leagues, FE/HE Recreational Festival & Mums/Ladies Over 30’s Football.

Using the ethos; Have Fun- Keep Fit- Make Friends, all of these initiatives aim to offer a wider provision for all ladies to enjoy football in a comfortable environment.

Mums Play Football Centres

We are seeking deliverers to host Mums Play Football sessions – information and application forms will be released in January 2018.

These sessions are designed to allow ladies the opportunity to try football for the first time, in a comfortable, relaxed and sociable environment. With fantastic results from a number of mum’s sessions previously held around the county, we are committed to providing further opportunities for all “soccer mums” in Staffordshire.

The emphasis of these sessions should be Mums/ Beginners and deliverers will be required to engage with 15 Unique Participants over 8 Sessions. With sessions running on a weekly basis open to the community, each successful centre will be provided £300 as a start-up grant to aid the running and sustainability of the centre.

These can be Walking Football/ Soccercise/ Football.

For any centre who has aspirations of entering the Staffordshire Ladies Over 30’s League, affiliation/ entry will be covered for all successful Centre’s.

More information will be released 3rd January 2018.

Staffordshire Ladies Over 30’s League

In its current second season, the Staffordshire Ladies Over 30’s league is changing slightly for its third season. With a wider offer available for experienced players as of Summer 2018, the Staffordshire Ladies Over 30’s League will have more of an emphasis on beginner’s football as well as retired players coming back into the game to play flexible formats. This is to allow ladies the opportunity of competition and to develop at an equal level.

The Staffordshire Ladies Over 30’s league will continue to be played at 7v7 at 25 minutes each way. Venue’s for the league will be released in due course.

LEAGUE ELIGIBILITY

All players MUST be at least 30 years old – players can be signed during the season following their 30th Birthday.

Players will be INELIGIBLE to play in the Staffordshire Ladies Over 30’s league if they CURRENTLY play league football at the following levels; Regional Leagues, FA Women’s Premier League, FA Women’s Super League.

All players currently playing within the above leagues WILL BE ELIGIBLE to play within the Ladies 5v5/Small-Sided Leagues.

Any players who are not registered or playing in the above leagues for 2018/19 season will be ELIGIBLE to play within the Staffordshire Ladies Over 30’s league, including players who previously played at these levels.

More information on the league will be released in April 2018.

 Ladies 5v5/Small-Sided Leagues

These leagues will be piloted in Summer 2018 within two identified hotspot areas in the North and South of the county.

The leagues will provide further opportunity for ladies to play additional midweek football outside of the football season, and allow an alternative to players who are unable to commit to traditional football formats.

ALL female players will be eligible to play within these leagues providing they are over 16 years old.

More information on these leagues will be provided in April 2018.

 If you are interested in hosting a Ladies 5v5/Small-Sided League at your facility, please get in touch to find out more information.

FE/HE Recreational Fixtures

Staffordshire FA continue to offer monthly female friendly/recreational fixtures for all colleges and universities within Staffordshire, which has now been running for over 5 years.

This open age offer is available for all students who are not playing competitive football within the AOC or BUCS league.

These festivals include a mixture of small-sided and futsal fixtures, as colleges and universities around the county take it in turns to host these events.

The next Fixture date is on 24th January 2018 at Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke- On- Trent. All colleges and universities are welcome to enter a team, and Staffordshire FA encourages all FE/HE establishments to get in touch for further information. These fixture dates will run until March 2018.

Further Information 

For further information, to enter a team, or to host any of the above initiatives please contact Football Development Officer (Inclusion), Bethan Woolley on any of the following:
(E): Bethan.Woolley@StaffordshireFA.com
(T): 01785 256994 (ext. 215)
(M): 07816 536450