North Area News

December 10, 2014: Latest Devon FA Newsletter

The latest Devon FA Newsletter can now be read here .

October 24, 2014: Free Referee Course

Devon FA are pleased to announce that in partnership with the North Devon Gazette Football League,  Westcountry Cleaning North Devon Youth League & Active Devon we are now able to offer people in the North Devon Area the opportunity to attend a Basic Referee Course for free.

The normal cost of the course is £150 per candidate but due to the great relationship we have with the leagues and Active Devon we are now able to offer the course for free. Referees are needed in the Youth & Senior Leagues in North Devon to meet the growing demand of both competitions. 16 places will be available to those who want to referee in the Youth League and 8 places for those who are 16 and over and wish to go straight into senior football. In order to complete the course candidates will need to referee 8 games on their chosen league before the end of the season.

‘We have a great support structure for referees in North Devon’ said Devon FA Referee Development Officer, ‘The North Devon Branch of the Referees Association and the Leagues themselves are great at making sure referees are looked after especially in the early stages of their careers.’

If you wish to book a place on the course contact Jason Haywood or Mick Tattersall (North Devon Gazette League):
Jason Haywood – Jason.haywood@devonfa.com or 01626 325917
Mick Tattersall – secretary@northdevonfootballleague.org.uk or 07742 251140

Basic Referee Course, Park Community School, Barnstaple.
Friday 21st November , Friday 28th November, Saturday 29th November, Saturday 6th December & Tuesday 9th December. Full dates and times can be found at www.devonfa.com/referee/become-a-referee

There isn’t a better time to become a referee!

September 30, 2014: Hansen Cup Draw

To be played by 30 November:
Merton v Putford Reserves
Fremington Reserves v Ilfracombe Reserves
Equalizers v Northam Lions
Kilkhampton v Pilton Academicals
Woolsery Reserves v High Bickington
Landkey Town Reserves v Sporting Barum
Bridgerule v Hartland Reserves
Morwenstow v Braunton Thirds

September 10, 2014: North Devon Sunday League

The Sunday League will not be running for Season 2014/15. It is hoped to relaunch the league for next season. If you are interested in entering a team please let me know and I will forward on your details.

July 26, 2014: Funding helps Bideford AFC Grow The Game

Grassroots football in Bideford has been given a helping hand following a £4,500 Grow the Game grant, over 3 years, from the Football Foundation, the country’s largest sports charity. The grant will allow Bideford AFC Youth to create a new Academy team and two girls’ teams playing in the Devon Girls’ League and in the Westcountry Cleaning Youth League. Grow the Game funding increases participation in our national game by helping clubs to provide opportunities for new players, or training volunteers to support new players and teams. The programme is delivered in partnership with all of the 46 County FAs and funded by The FA. So far Grow the Game has awarded 874 separate grants worth around £4.2m to grassroots football clubs. Analysis of the monitoring and evaluation so far predicts that this will result in the creation of 3,791 brand new football teams competing in FA-affiliated leagues, 72,872 new players participating each week and 10,959 new qualifications or courses being completed. The key strength of Grow the Game is that its participation increases are sustainable rather than transient. Its grants create a solid infrastructure of teams and newly-trained coaches in which new people can start playing the sport, rather than simply providing temporary activity sessions, which are then vulnerable to drops in participation once the programme ends. Head Coach, Peter North said: We are very grateful to The Football foundation and to Torridge District Council who have supported this initiative. This will result is increased opportunities for players moving from youth into adult football, and notably for Girls who are still under-represented in local football”. Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “Grow the Game has become one of the Foundation’s most popular schemes. This additional funding provided by The FA is excellent news for grassroots clubs seeking to start new teams and get their volunteer coaches qualified with FA coaching badges. “This most recent funding window has seen £2.1m invested into 420 clubs right across the country. “Congratulations to Bideford AFC Youth for working with Devon FA to secure their Grow the Game grant which will increase participation in the region as well as support football development in the area.”

June 17 , 2014: North Area success at the Devon FA AGM

The Devon FA AGM took place at Padbrook Park, Cullompton on Saturday and Bideford Ladies FC picked up the North Area Charles Norsworthy Award and received the Kivell Cup, a certificate and a cheque for £250. The team were selected due to their excellent disciplinary record, high standard of administration and hospitality towards referees and other teams. The photo shows Mark Lewis (Team Coach) and Nicole Lamey (Player) picking up their awards from Devon FA Chairman, Bernard Leach and President Mervyn Benney. It was also success for the North Area representatives as they beat the other four areas in a highly technical game of crazy golf. The picture shows Keith Greenleaf, Tony Alcock and Tony Cloak receiving the Bill Downs Trophy from Devon FA Chairman, Bernard Leach and President Mervyn Benney. Keith did the area proud as he scored the lowest score of all 12 competitors. John Fry was re-elected as the North Area Vice-President at Devon FA. John has been serving the County since 1973.

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