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The Government have re-confirmed (as of 30 December 2020) their guidance of 19 December 2020 (when London/South East regions went into Tier 4 restrictions); which states that organised outdoor sport for Under 7 to Under 18 age-groups (inclusive) is allowed. Therefore, all matches in the Harrow Youth Football League (HYFL) and Harrow Soccer Combination (HSC) can continue as from the planned date, post Xmas/New Year break, of Sunday 10th January 2021.

It is extremely important that clubs, players, coaches, match officials, volunteers, parents, carers, and facility providers continue to follow both the Government's latest guidance on Covid-19 and bespoke guidance from The Football Association.

This position is kept under regular review by both the Government and The FA and, if the position changes, then the above guidance may need to be amended. The guidance is ‘not’ predicated on any separate decisions taken by the Government about education and school openings from January 2021.

There are challenging times for society in general, and for all involved in grassroots football; but it is clear that the Government/FA recognise the importance of children’s mental and physical well-being in their decision-making process.

The HYFL/HSC remain committed to following all of the guidance from the Government and The FA and to continue to facilitate football, in a flexible manner, for the near 10,000 players who play within our organisations.

We wish all clubs, players, officials, and parents best wishes for the New Year 2021; and hope that our lives can return to a form of normality as the year progresses.

Andy Lowe
Chairman and Executive Officer

31 December 2020

The make up of the divisions for the new season has been published and can be seen here.

26 Sep 20

You will all have been monitoring the news yesterday and today, and will have seen that we are currently experiencing a fast-moving situation in relation to Coronavirus.

As we did last week, the HYFL/HSC has reviewed, in detail, the guidance provided by the two key bodies – the Government and Public Health England (PHE); as well as announcements made by The FA/Middlesex FA. We have also liaised with The FA/MFA and PHE this afternoon.

It is the intention of the HYFL and HSC to follow the guidance issued by these central bodies, and not to form our own (ill-informed) views or to take a position which is contrary to their guidance.

The Government and PHE guidance (and that of The FA/MFA) currently does ‘not’ indicate that smaller-scale sporting events (such as grassroots football) should be postponed.

As a result, the HYFL/HSC fixture programme currently remains in place.

Strict hygiene standards should be followed at all games, to include no hand-shakes (which is now the clear guidance) and regular washing of hands with soap and water (or hand sanitiser gel).

If a match is postponed/defaulted – then, as with all games, an on-line unplayed/defaulted match report form should be submitted by both clubs – and the result/outcome of the match will be determined in due course over the following weeks.

The above will be kept under review on a week-by-week basis.

15 Mar 20

As previously advised, the League Management Committee has now discussed the remaining number of matches that each team has to play this season.

As a result, it has been decided that, subject to on-going favourable weather conditions, League Challenge Trophy competitions will be introduced for certain teams in the Under 12 to Under 16 age groups. Matches will start immediately and the finals will ‘all’ be held on Sunday 17th May.

The League’s objective is to maximise football for all teams, and we believe and trust that the introduction of the above competitions will be welcomed by member clubs.

The Committee has considered each age-group separately and then considered each team within that age-group. Not all teams in each age-group have been sanctioned to enter. This is based on the number of League and other games that each team has still to complete and the number of free weeks left in the season. This is the final decision and cannot be appealed as entry is by invitation only.

The current fully sanctioned draw is here.

The terms and conditions of playing are as set by the Management Committee, in accordance with Rules. In summary, each team will play the other in their ‘Group’ (home and/or away) (no extra time or penalties are required) and set at the sole discretion of the League Fixture Secretary) – with progression to the knock-out rounds. These knock-out rounds will be played and penalties (no extra time), where necessary, will decide the winners.

ALL League/Cup rules of the League shall apply. Referee fees for each match are to be paid by the Home team in Group matches and then shared by both teams in QF/SF matches. When submitting an on-line match result form, please select ‘Challenge Trophy’ for the competition being played in.

If weather conditions deteriorate in the coming weeks then, under Rules, the Management Committee reserve the right to cancel any of the competition age-groups or to withdraw any team or teams from the competition at its sole discretion. This decision, if taken, is final and binding. League and League Challenge Cup matches will always take precedence in this decision process.

Regards,

Andy Lowe
Chairman and Executive Officer
For and on behalf of the League Management Committee

24 Jan 20