Coach believes a new under-19 league in North Wales would bridge the gap between junior and men’s football

A forward-thinking youth and senior football coach from the area is keen to set up an under-19 league on the North Wales coast.

Alex Craig, fixtures secretary for the Rhyl and District Junior League and also manager of Kinmel Bay U-16’s, has started a Facebook group for discussion on his new idea.

Alex wants to form a youth league for those junior/youth players who might not feel quite ready to make the step up to men’s football at 16.

He has written to the North Wales Coast FA about his plans which he believes will regain young talent which may have left the game.

It has been positively received by the NWCFA and association president Mr Bryan Roberts has shown a keen interest and support to get an U19’S league up and running.

Alex said: “I have been stuck with what to do with my under-16’s next season.

“I have 3 or 4 lads who are capable of playing with either the men’s or reserve teams but the majority of the lads feel they are not ready for such a jump straight into men’s football as is the same with lots of U16 teams and managers,

“I have previously come across the same situation with my eldest lad’s team when they finished the 16’s age group. They are now 19 years old and out of the 18-team squad only 4 continued to play football at senior level. The other 14 lads stopped playing altogether as the jump was too big for them.

“Having been in and around junior and senior football for around 10 years it’s a very common situation where lads who have been very capable players throughout junior league just stop playing because the big jump from junior to senior is just too big for them or they don’t feel confident enough to go out there and get stuck in and the senior teams then don’t play them so the lads get discouraged and leave football forever or at least many years.

“I find this a real shame and it’s something we should all be pushing for to keep these younger lads playing and getting them ready for senior football and building confidence.”

Alex added: “Between the counties of Denbighshire, Conwy, Gwynedd and Anglesey we don’t currently have an under-19 league, yet we have a massive amount of junior and senior clubs that would and could benefit massively from having a U19 set up.

“Yes we have academies with U19’s set ups, but that is not for grassroots players and clubs.

“So I would like to propose to the NWCFA that we could look at the possibility of setting up an U19’s league for the association’s affiliates clubs.

“I have gauged a bit of interest within North Wales and a total of 14 expressed an interest in joining an U19’s league, and with Llysfaen already having a team competing in the NEWFA U19’s, it is a good start.

“I believe it is something that could thrive in the NWCFA and it would show that NWCFA are committed to providing football at all levels and ages and that the pathway for progression is something that is taken seriously by the NWCFA.

“My proposed plan would be, if there is enough interest, to combine Denbighshire and Conwy into one league set up and Gwynedd and Anglesey into another league set up, and have an NWCFA Cup as it currently is with the junior teams.

“While using the current FAW U19’s rules for the U19’S would be perfect as these are already set out and easy to comply with and games to be played on a Sunday with either a 12pm or 2pm kick-off time. Which is after Sunday league finishes and after most academy games have finished so referee availability should be good for these games.”

Alex added he would be more than happy to take on a senior administrative role in the proposed league.

Check out the Facebook page for more information and how to get involved
https://www.facebook.com/groups/755240255935310/?ref=share