Just Play Centres
The FA and Mars, The FA's Adult Football Partner, have made it as easy as a ‘one-two’ to turn up and start playing the football that best suits you: whether it’s a good old-fashioned kickabout or the more competitive game, like 5 or 11 a side.To make playing footy as easy as possible, we've created a new, fun and informal way to play the game. Just Play! kickabouts are great for when you want to play without committing to a weekly game, a complicated league or fancy team strips. It’s all about loose, casual play. So any excuses about fitness or levels of experience should be left where they deserve to be: at the bottom of your kit bag. Don’t leave your love of football back in the day. Find yourself a kickabout, book your place, turn up and Just Play!
To find centre’s in Bedfordshire please visit http://justplay.thefa.com/. View some footage of one of our own centre’s below; http://youtu.be/4ZHExbAINTg
Team Beds and Luton Get Back Into Female Futsal
Denbigh High School
September – April
£2 per session
This session is open to any female over the age of 16 who wishes to try the game of Futsal. Futsal is a 5 v 5 game played indoors which involves learning footwork skills and working with a team. The sessions are run by a female coach and allow all women no matter their background to get involved. The group are friendly welcoming and always looking for new players to give the game a try. If you are interested in getting involved please contact julia.ladbrooke@bedfordshirefa.com for new start dates.
Bedfordshire Veterans 9 a-side Football League
The Bedfordshire Veterans 9a-side Football League is an initiative to get more people over the age of 35 back into football. After a consultation evening on the night of the Manchester United vs Barcelona Champions League Final in May 2011 it was decided that the teams opted to play 9a-side matches on the Football Foundation funded AGP pitches. The teams felt that as an alternative to the 11a-side game and to prevent problems associated with getting a team together to play each game, a 9 a-side competition on a 60 x 40yd pitch whereby games were played every other Sunday evening was a better alternative. The clubs interested in the league came from across the county and so 3 suitably positioned AGP pitches at AFC Kempston, Robert Bloomfield and Beds FA were used to host the games and act as central venues. Finally, the times of the kick offs were agreed to start from 6pm with 25 minute halves with the latest kick off time being at 8pm for a given venue. The fixtures and results can be seen by clicking on the following link: http://full-time.thefa.com/Index.do?league=4302799
The first season has been hugely successful with some great football on show and for many it has rolled back the years. It has certainly shown that football is for all and there are always avenues back into the game even for those that had previously ‘retired’ from football. The teams have ranged from a group of youth team manager’s, work mates, old team mates and it has resulted in squad sizes getting bigger as those that have previously hung their boots up have been tempted back into playing the beautiful game.
New teams are welcome to join and now is the perfect time to affiliate to the league for next season. To enter a new team and complete the relevant affiliation forms please contact James Petty on james.petty@bedfordshirefa.com or similarly you can contact Chris O Donnell for more information regarding league rules etc on chris@beds9aside.co.uk or call 07739308889.
