This Update has FIVE important messages this week which we would ask you to please read.
Cancelling fixtures from December 1st onwards
Filming/photography at YEL games
U7s/U8s removal of heading trial – UPDATE
YEL awards – February 25th/26th
YEL hotline number
Cancelling fixtures from December 1st onwards 
Reminder of the League Regulation 14
Postponement of a Winter season fixture – When a home team cancels a Winter league fixture, the YEL reserves the right to reverse the fixture, should it be rearranged. First cancellations will cease to be available from December 1st. Any match cancelled from December 1st onwards will be treated as an on the day cancellation and will be referred to the YEL Discipline Team
Filming/photography at YEL games
We have been asked to provide again the guidance around filming/photography at children’s football matches.
There may be parents who do not wish their child to be filmed/photographed. We would also point out that there are players in the YEL that are under Court of Protection Orders where their identity needs to be kept safe. In extreme instances, particularly around serious abuse, their names have been changed on Whole Game System to protect their identity. These vulnerable children need protecting as best as possible whilst still being able to enjoy the simple things in life like playing football with their friends. We always encourage best practice when it comes to photography/filming.
Best practice/law looks like this:
- On private grounds (when you are playing away from home at a club that owns their own ground) you have to get the permission of the home club to film/take photographs as this is private property – this does not apply to public pitches.
- Public spaces – anyone can take photographs/film provided the images are not deemed to be for immoral/unacceptable purposes HOWEVER… please be aware this may potentially restrict a vulnerable person from taking part.
- As mentioned above, certain players should not be filmed or their identity potentially compromised. Best practice to contact the opposition before the game to ensure the coach/parents are all comfortable with filming/photography taking place – 99/100 times there will not be a problem
- You should also ensure your club has a photography/filming policy and all of your parents have signed up to it as, it has to assumed, that the images will be stored somewhere.
By following the above, you will avoid potentially uncomfortable situations arising on the day as everyone should be aware. There is a lot of confusion around the law on photographing/filming children which people can, quite naturally, be very sensitive about. It also avoids the outside possibility of a player at risk having to be withdrawn from the opposition team for safety reasons.
U7s/U8s removal of heading trial – UPDATE 
This pilot has now been running for a couple of months and the feedback has been, for the most part, very positive.
Coaches have been proactive in introducing the idea into training sessions and players seem to be responding well with dealing with the new requirements.
Can we remind everyone to ensure that the FA guidance is recirculated to parents to remind them of what they can expect during the game. Can all coaches also remind any parents who step in to referee the games what the new laws are and how to apply them. If you have any feedback on the pilot only, good or bad, The FA would like to here it. Please log into Scoreline and select ‘Feedback’ from the left hand menu. It is only with your feedback that we make recommendations to The FA on what the future of football should look like.
YEL Awards – February 25th/26th
Invitations to the 2022/23 Winter Season YEL Awards will be coming out by email over the next few days to our U9-U14 Champions and Runners-Up. If your team has qualified please look out for the invite and check spam/junk folders.
PLEASE NOTE: We will be sending the information to the team contacts listed on Scoreline. It is your responsibility to check Scoreline and make sure the contact information is correct. Any issues/updates please email the YEL Office with the correct information ASAP – office@yelonline.com
YEL Game Day hotline 
If you have any issues or on the day queries relating to your game only, you can contact the YEL Game Day Hotline number for advice.
07510 305254
Available 9.30am – 12.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
ONLY AVAILABLE FOR ON THE DAY MATCH RELATED ENQUIRIES – no other issues will be discussed.
Contacting the YEL
If you email the YEL OFFICE – office@yelonline.com – please ensure you state the team name, age group and playing day so we can quickly deal with the enquiry
Rob Harwood CEO
YEL OFFICE