This Update has FIVE important messages this week which we would ask you to please read.
Fixtures and divisions update
Freezing temperatures – postponed games
YEL Awards
…and finally…
YEL hotline number
Fixtures and divisions update
By end of today, all teams will have fixtures ready for the New Year, a massive task completed in time for Clubs to plan January before the Christmas break.
The YEL have 1285 teams so it’s inevitable that there will be some mismatches and potentially some teams placed at the wrong level, but we do more than any other league in the country to look at results and try and pitch teams at an appropriate level. Reminder: any team not happy with the level placed then we will allow teams to swap before the fixtures start (should be easy to do if placed at wrong level)
Of the 1285 teams only FIVE have managed to win every match played so far and all of those have been moved up the structure either to premier Division or up 2 levels.
Our aim is to find an appropriate level for all teams, try and find a variety of opponents and also consider having multiple Divisions at a level to reduce travel, all of this done multiple times during the season, but the busiest period is now.
We have 22 teams who have not yet won a match and as you can see from the breakdown, this is easier at younger age groups as fixtures are changed more frequently.
u14s (4) u13s (5) u12s (5) u11s (3) u10s (2) u9s (1) u8s (1) u7s (1)
The majority of the 22 teams have drawn matches, one team has not won but drawn 6 times !!
We won’t get it right every time, but the stats above show our system is working to move teams up and down the structure to win, draw and also learn to lose matches as part of a player’s development.
Freezing temperatures – postponed games
Once again, temperatures this weekend are forecast to be very low and we’re anticipating several games being postponed due to the weather. Please ensure that you’ve checked with your opposition to see if there is any chance of reversing the fixture before notifying your players that the game is off. If your opposition’s local and can play then it’s important to try and get the leagues completed although player safety should be your first priority. If you do have to cancel, please notify the YEL Office yel@live.co.uk and make sure you enter P-P when you receive your automated SMS text. Do not enter anything else/comment other than P-P
YEL Awards
We have invited all u9 to u14 teams who have finished as Campions and Runners Up to the Awards event in late February. We are asking all of those teams to either send a £40 deposit or inform us by Tuesday that they don’t wish to attend. Emails have been sent from events@yelonline.com so please check inbox/spam if expecting an email. We are aware a few Divisions have not yet been completed and those teams will get information when confirmed.
…and finally…
This is the last Update for 2022. Everyone at the YEL wishes all of our clubs and teams – officials, volunteers and players – a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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 305354
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 – yel@live.co.uk – please ensure you state the team name, age group and playing day so we can quickly deal with the enquiry
Rob Harwood CEO