Plymouth City Council has provided £6,100 of match funding
DJM Keep Active Emergency Support Scheme
Plymouth, England, United Kingdom
Aim
Provide urgently needed financial support to our 416 teams so they continue to offer football opportunities to 5400 players post Covid-19.
Why we are asking for your support?
"I miss my friends the most and really want to get back to playing football" - 14 year old player in our League
"Football is the highlight of the week, and not being able to play is really difficult. Really looking forward to be able to play again." - 13 year old female player in our League
"All I want to do is play football again" - 8 year old player in our development soccer League
"Speaking to my players there is no doubt that they are really struggling with the current lockdown and are desperate to return and see their friends and play again" - Manager of an Under 12 team.
The League was formed in 1904 and provides affiliated football to young people aged 6-18 years old living in Plymouth, South Devon and South East Cornwall. It is a Charter Standard League and is affiliated to the Football Association.
The League is run by volunteers. Each week over 1000 volunteers support young people to enjoy playing the beautiful game, keep fit and make friendships for life. Our volunteer roles include: welfare officers, first aiders, managers and coaches, fund raisers and club and league administrative officers.
The Adrenalin Devon Junior and Minor League provides affiliated football to over 5400 young people aged 6-18 years, including 447 girls. 62 Clubs from Plymouth, South Devon and South East Cornwall participate in weekly organised football Leagues between September to May each year.
Covid-19 has not only meant that the 2019 - 2020 Season was unable to be completed but has placed huge financial pressures on our Clubs, all of which are led by volunteers. Many teams rely on the Summer to run fund raising activities to support their Clubs for the following Season. These are now not possible and Clubs have also lost subscription revenue for the months since the lockdown was introduced.
For many young people the return to football will signify the return to some form of normality. However, having spoken to all the Clubs in our League there is a real fear that at least 15% of them will struggle to survive if they cannot raise funds. In addition, 50% of Clubs are concerned that increased subscription fees will see many parents unable to cover the increased costs due to the financial impact on families as a result of this crisis.
Football plays an integral part in all aspects of our players lives as it not only provides recreation and a way to stay fit but is where friendships are formed, many for life.
The Adrenalin Devon Junior and Minor League has therefore decided to establish this Crowdfunder to support its Clubs. All money raised will be distributed to our Clubs to support with their fees and costs and to ensure we keep teams and players playing football when we can resume after Covid-19.
The Adrenalin Devon Junior Minor League is aware that many organisations are in a similar situation and will be asking for support. We feel that young people are the forgotten demographic in terms of the impact Covid-19 is having on their mental health and we passionately believe that their re-engagement with football will greatly help them to return to some form of normality. If teams fold due to this crisis it will undoubtedly mean less young players will be able to participate in their favourite sport. For many playing football is the highlight of their week.
The League also believes that it will be players from less well-off backgrounds who will be penalised hardest as the parents will find it far harder to pay increased subscriptions to Clubs if that is the only way they can cover the shortfalls in funding this crisis has caused.
The League understands it has a responsibility in this crisis and as well as co-ordinating this Crowdfunder on behalf of Clubs it has also agreed to waive team registration fees for the following Season totalling £10,500.
The Adrenalin Devon Junior Minor League really hopes that League officials, Clubs, referees, parents, ex-players and sponsors can get behind this appeal. If you are in a position to donate, however small the amount this will make a major difference to young people's lives. The Adrenalin Devon Junior and Minor League sincerely thanks you in advance for any support forthcoming.
The League in Numbers
- Formed in 1904
- Over 5400 players registered
- Over 160 matches each weekend organised
- 447 girls take part in girls only and mixed leagues
- 42 Divisions were organised each Season as well as 42 Cup Competition
- Over 1000 volunteers support the League every week
- The largest youth league in the South West and one of the ten largest in the country.
- 13 Clubs from Cornwall
- 11 Clubs from Devon
- 38 Clubs based in Plymouth
History of the League
- League Formed on the 9th September 1904
- First Fixtures played on the 17th September 1904
- 16 Clubs in the initial League (YMCA still in membership)
- Many players have progressed into a career in football either in the Football League or Premier League
- Many of the current League Executive Committee have thirty or more years voluntary commitment with the League
- In 2004, our Centenary League over 300 teams in membership including Clubs from South Devon and South East Cornwall
- 2019-2020 - League unable to be completed due to Covid-19
This project successfully funded on 23rd June 2020