In an exciting new development and example of SK moving forward and evolving, we have accepted an invitation to join the MYSL’s Stockport Sunday League. The Manchester Youth Super League fits perfectly with the SK ethos and the SK Way. Their own philosophy is ‘We Only Do Positive’, and the infamous ‘We Don’t Stop’. And SK only work with organisations who do positive! Oh, and SK definitely do not stop. The MYSL’s commitment to the grassroots game matches our own.
MYSL’s Sunday League is new for the 21/22 season, for the U7 to U10 age groups and is a massive progression for the provision of football in Stockport. The league have successfully secured use of three excellent facilities – Burnage Academy for Boys (U7), Life Leisure Brinnington Park (U8) and Stockport Sports Village (U9 & 10). You can see more of what Billy, Mike and the team do here:
What does this mean for you, and your junior footballer? Well, in a nutshell, this will bring more football, more opportunities, and the chance to play at the highest possible level. A high-level league will push that progression. Otherwise, very little will change. SK will design a season plan to ensure opportunities for all children, at all levels – you will receive player packs outlining our plans in August. Our commitment to football for all is unwavering and synonymous with the SK Way.
And for our junior clubs? Again, this changes nothing. Grassroots clubs remain at the very heart of SK Football Coaching and the SK Way. Protecting junior clubs is as vital to us as protecting our core values. It’s important to recognise that, with no junior clubs, there’s no SK.
Everyone knows SKFC as an organisation and that, from the outset, we have only played development matches and tournaments. SKFC never entered a league. That was because our philosophy has always been that our Development Centre acts alongside our junior clubs, never as an alternative. All SK players play for their junior clubs too. Often those are the clubs we coach, but not always – everyone is welcome at SK. Those values remain, and always will.
However, times are changing, other clubs are starting their own ‘academies’ and development centres, and so SK must always adapt and progress – otherwise, the SK Way will be threatened. Many of our teams play in a league which will soon offer Sunday League footy for U7-10 teams in our area. This seems (and in many ways is) a good thing.
Illustrious names including Macclesfield FC, Oldham Athletic and Stockport County are involved. When we created the SK Way, 4 years ago, we wanted to offer the perfect balance of representing a club, benefitting from extra training and offering the best possible opportunities. Parents and children are now looking for even more, which we’re ready to provide.
Going forward:
SKFC have discussed with our stakeholders to expand the Development Centre. This means our Blues (advanced groups) will enter the MYSL Sunday League
The following terms will be written in:
1. Foundation (U7-11) teams would only be allowed to play on Sundays 2. At this time, SK would have no intention of going beyond U11. If that were to change, then U12s up would play Saturday football to avoid a clash with their junior clubs 3. The terms of playing in a league with SKFC is children must already play for another junior football club, so SK cannot indirectly affect junior club subscriptions
Each SKFC junior club partner will have the option to have a board member on an established committee. This will give junior clubs voting rights and thus a voice.
No player will be permitted to “sign on” with SK to play in games if not a member of a junior club also
Despite notable successes of boys joining Cat.1, 2 and 3 academies in recent seasons, only a small percentage of SK players are signed to elite clubs’ academy setups. However, our Blues groups, like all our groups, are an integral part of SK and bridge the gap between grassroots and academy football, helping our players maximise their development. We must ensure our setup works for all our players, the MYSL will offer the perfect opportunity to help further progress the development of our Blues groups.
This is an evolution of the way SKFC already runs. We will not allow there to be ANY detrimental impact on our grassroots clubs. With the developments of Stockport County and Macclesfield FC’s respective forays into junior football – as they build towards their own academy structures - SKFC can help protect our junior clubs from losing players to other grassroots setups, by building a development programme that can match other setups without costing community clubs.
The SK Way is about the players and their clubs – our partner clubs or otherwise - and always will be. As always, should you wish to know more about how this will work then simply contact us: info@skfootballcoaching.com.