Scarborough & District Saturday League secures midweek playing slot at Scarborough Sports Village; the home of Scarborough Athletic Football Club.

In a ground-breaking step for local grassroots football, clubs affiliated to the Scarborough & District Saturday League will now be able to play out midweek fixtures on the world-class, 3G surface at Scarborough Sports Village – a move which will help to ensure fixtures are fulfilled throughout the season.

77 of the league’s fixtures had to be rearranged last season due to bad weather and unplayable pitches, extending the season by an additional four weeks. However, through this latest development, which was made possible by the league’s management committee, the North Riding Football Association and Everyone Active, more league, cup and representative games will go ahead as planned, with the County FA also on hand to assist with the management of fixtures.

This innovative, Football Development-led project is a step towards changing the culture of traditional, affiliated adult football; whereby games are usually only played at weekends.

The first Scarborough & District Saturday League fixture at the new facility took place on Wednesday 10 October, between West Pier FC and Newlands Park Hotel FC.

John Orrah, Scarborough & District Saturday League Secretary, said: “The League and Management Committee are delighted to have been given the chance to have a permanent booking at this fantastic facility. It gives our clubs, their management and players a chance to have matches here throughout the season and bring a real buzz back to playing the game.

“Thanks have to go to the League Management Committee, North Riding FA and Everyone Active for making this possible. As a league we cannot thank the latter two enough for their help in getting through this process. It’s taken a while but we believe it’s well worth the wait and hope that this is seen as massive step in the right direction for grassroots football in the area.

“Our biggest hope is that the word spreads of the things we as a league can offer and that we get maximum use out of this facility, as well as attracting a few new teams.”

Paul Campbell, North Riding FA Football Development Officer (Adult Participation Lead), said: “I would like to say a massive well done to John Orrah, the League Management Committee and the clubs for making this achievable. This is a brave decision for all concerned but one which I believe will only help the league develop moving forward. For local players to get the opportunity to play on such a prestigious ground is fantastic.”

Scarborough Sports Village is a state-of-the-art, all-weather pitch which was made possible thanks to a grant from the Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund (delivered by the Football Foundation). To ensure the facility continues to increase sports participation in the long term, Scarborough Borough Council, alongside North Riding FA, has compiled a five-year delivery strategy of how sport will be played on the site.

Working with the North Riding FA Football Development Team, the Scarborough & District Saturday League is set to become an FA Charter Standard League. Charter Standard is The Football Association’s accreditation scheme for grassroots clubs and leagues, which aims to raise standards in grassroots football and support the development of clubs and leagues, as well as recognising and rewarding them for their commitment and achievements.

To find out more about Charter Standard, please visit www.northridingfa.com/leagues-and-clubs/charter-standard