3 Sep 2005 - Youth & Junior League Formations
The Youth leagues are about to kick off and some may be wondering what, why and how we are in the league we're for the 2005-06 season.
At the upper end of the Unicorns' age groups we do not have an Under 18's side. There are several reasons for this but one of the main ones is that we are victims of our own success, to some degree.
Last season our oldest age group was Under 16's after we were unable to form the bridge with the Open Age by creating a new U18's. This year was the first real opportunity to bridge that gap as our oldest long-standing team reached U18's level. There is no Under 17's with North West Counties' league.
At the upper end of the Unicorns' age groups we do not have an Under 18's side. There are several reasons for this but one of the main ones is that we are victims of our own success, to some degree.
Last season our oldest age group was Under 16's after we were unable to form the bridge with the Open Age by creating a new U18's. This year was the first real opportunity to bridge that gap as our oldest long-standing team reached U18's level. There is no Under 17's with North West Counties' league.
As it was the squad was not the biggest and, with the Warrington Wolves signing on five of our lads professionally, the team was reduced significantly in numbers. Around five of the remaining squad are now playing at neighbours Rylands Sharks and we wish them well.
That means our oldest Youth age group this season is still Under 16's. This team have finished runners up in the bottom league for two years running. The bottom league has been traditionally the third league. This year they have been granted promotion. Unfortunately, because of a shuffle round of teams they now find there are 4 leagues (premier, 1a, 1b and 2nd) and they are in the third again! Or league 1b as it is referred.
Our Under 15's are still in the premiership of their age group. Teams are only put into official league at U13 level but those leagues are formed based upon the previous two years' results. The NWC 8-12's have no leagues as such and ALL matches are deemed as friendlies. However, teams are seeded at U11 level and refined again at U12's. Teams can be shuffled up and down during the season but at Under 13's they are put into structured leagues with tables dependent on results. Our current Under 15's have been in their top league since U13's.
The Under Fourteens found themselves put into the bottom league of three last season. They finished in fourth position and the top two were promoted. Due to the arrival of four brand new teams for this year the bottom league was looking a bit congested and Saddleworth who had been relegated from the middle league were reinstated. They asked to be left in the bottom league and Latchford asked to replace them. So for this season Latchford are in the middle league or Division One as it is referred to.
Our Under Thriteens had been in the top seeded group at U12's but found the going tough with constant changes to their playing personel. They requested that at U13's they could be dropped down a league and are now in the middle league or Division One as it is known.
This week we expect to find out where our two Under 12's and two Under 11's teams are placed. But at least you now know how we come to be where we are.
Somewhat ironically with our U16's, 15's and 14's being in different leagues (third, top and second respectively) all three are drawn at home on 11th September and all three will be opposing Oldham St Anne's.
That means our oldest Youth age group this season is still Under 16's. This team have finished runners up in the bottom league for two years running. The bottom league has been traditionally the third league. This year they have been granted promotion. Unfortunately, because of a shuffle round of teams they now find there are 4 leagues (premier, 1a, 1b and 2nd) and they are in the third again! Or league 1b as it is referred.
Our Under 15's are still in the premiership of their age group. Teams are only put into official league at U13 level but those leagues are formed based upon the previous two years' results. The NWC 8-12's have no leagues as such and ALL matches are deemed as friendlies. However, teams are seeded at U11 level and refined again at U12's. Teams can be shuffled up and down during the season but at Under 13's they are put into structured leagues with tables dependent on results. Our current Under 15's have been in their top league since U13's.
The Under Fourteens found themselves put into the bottom league of three last season. They finished in fourth position and the top two were promoted. Due to the arrival of four brand new teams for this year the bottom league was looking a bit congested and Saddleworth who had been relegated from the middle league were reinstated. They asked to be left in the bottom league and Latchford asked to replace them. So for this season Latchford are in the middle league or Division One as it is referred to.
Our Under Thriteens had been in the top seeded group at U12's but found the going tough with constant changes to their playing personel. They requested that at U13's they could be dropped down a league and are now in the middle league or Division One as it is known.
This week we expect to find out where our two Under 12's and two Under 11's teams are placed. But at least you now know how we come to be where we are.
Somewhat ironically with our U16's, 15's and 14's being in different leagues (third, top and second respectively) all three are drawn at home on 11th September and all three will be opposing Oldham St Anne's.