We are delighted to announce that the Horsham & District Youth FL has won the League of the Year Award as part of England Football’s Grassroots Football Awards.

This Award looks to recognise a league that thinks outside the box to make football more accessible for more people.

The Horsham & District Youth FL supports players across the full pathway.

Whilst their development groups do not start until under-8s, they encourage under-7s teams to notify them of friendly results, so they can appropriately group the teams the following season in under-8s. The under-16s players are also provided an opportunity to join nearby open aged teams towards the end of the season.

Female players are supported in playing in this league or other nearby leagues. The league regularly runs Futsal events for a range of age groups.

They've insured they are an inclusive league and if there are no appropriate opportunities, they are happy to signpost to other leagues to ensure participation in the sport remains.

They are a league that see the bigger picture in keeping people playing the sport, rather than trying to retain them with their league if there are more appropriate opportunities elsewhere.

To find out more about the England Football Grassroots Awards please contact: