Category: Tournaments (page 4 of 5)

Maharashtra All Set for U15 Youth League

The much awaited Hero Under-15 Youth League kicked off last weekend in the Kolkata-Jamshedpur Zone (Group A) with a lot of fanfare and the Maharashtra Zone (Group B) is now set to start tomorrow. Saturday’s game sees traditional Mumbai rivals, Mumbai FC playing Kenkre FC at Cooperage followed by a couple of more games on Sunday featuring Pune FC against DSK Shivajians FC at the Pune FC Training Pitches, Mamurdi and PIFA Sports taking on debutants, Steadfast Academy in Bhiwandi.

While giving U15s competitive match experience is a key objective of the Youth League, another important consideration of the league is to see clubs promoting local talent, ideally from within their existing grassroots program.

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Anantapur Finds Solace in Football

ASA LogoAnantapur, once a crucial part of the Vijayanagar Empire, is now a primarily agrarian district with a developing industrial sector. Plagued by drought and poverty, the district is one of the 13 that receives funds from the Backwards Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGFP) in Andhra Pradesh. For many years the people were left quite hopeless, until Vincent Ferrer and his partner Anne decided to start the Rural Development Trust (RDT) in Anantapur in 1969 to improve the quality of life of the rural poor and the underprivileged in the area.

Apart from the work done to educate the people, and uplift the poorer sections of society, the RDT takes a special interest in using sports and cultural activities to give children a holistic education.

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India’s U15 Youth League is Here, Finally

Under 15 Youth League IndiaFar removed from the floodlights of the Indian Super League, there’s a quiet buzz around I-League club offices across the country.  The Under-18 I-League has already started in almost all zones, but it’s the Under-15 Youth League that has captured everybody’s attention within the football fraternity – coaches and parents alike. Several meetings and delays later, it’s finally happening – India’s Under-15 Youth League is here and all set to begin tomorrow. The first match of the league will see Mohammedan Sporting Club host Mohun Bagan AC in a Kolkata derby with other zonal leagues around the country slated to kick off within a week.

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QPR’s South Mumbai Football Tournament Begins

The 7th edition of the Queens Park Rangers South Mumbai Junior Soccer Challenger (QPR SMJSC) kicked off on Saturday, 17th October, at the Western Railway Stadium in Parel. Brainchild of former Union Minister, Milind Deora, the Soccer Challenger that started in 2009 has grown extensively in the last few years. The entire programme was started to unearth football talent at a grassroots level, and give those who come from less privileged backgrounds a chance to play sport.

Among one of India’s largest and longest-running community football events…

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Ryan International Are Bengaluru U14 Champions

BFC Soccer Shield - U14 Tournament

BFC Soccer Shield – U14 Tournament
Image Credit: Bengaluru FC

After Head Start Educational Academy and Inventure Academy clinched the U10 and U12 trophies a few days ago, it was time for Ryan International, Whitefield’s time in the sun as they claimed the inaugural Under-14 JSW Bengaluru FC Inter-School Soccer Shield. Pitted against Delhi Public School, North in the final, Ryan International’s defence held firm over the course of the game to secure a 2-0 victory.

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Head Start & Inventure Crowned Bengaluru U10 & U12 Champs

BFC Soccer Shield - U10 Winners Head Start

BFC Soccer Shield – U10 Winners Head Start Educational Academy
Image Credit: Bengaluru FC

Head Start Educational Academy and Inventure Academy were crowned champions of the inaugural JSW Bengaluru FC Inter-School Soccer Shield in the Under-10 and Under-12 categories respectively. Held at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Sunday, the proceedings began with the U10 final where Head Start took on Greenwood High for top honours.

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Delhi Youth League – An Inclusive Competition for Kids

Delhi Youth LeaguePaving the way for sport-loving youth all over the city, the Delhi Youth League was set up in 2012 with the aim of giving children between the ages of 6 and 19 a chance to play competitive football. Apart from age, there are no restrictions on who can play in the league, and children from disadvantaged backgrounds play side-by-side with those from international football academies as well as public and private schools across the city.

The League has managed to get over 300 children from various cultural, religious and economic backgrounds together, and given them a chance to play football together, and learn from each other.

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Bengaluru FC To Conduct Inter-School Tournament

Bengaluru FC School Tournament 2015

Bengaluru FC Launches Inter-School Tournament
Image Credit: Bengaluru FC

In a welcome move for children in the city, Bengaluru FC, among the better run clubs in Indian football, have announced the launch of their grassroots football competition for schools in conjunction with tournaments for college students and corporates. During a press conference held at the Bangalore Football Stadium yesterday, the club laid out ambitious plans to make their school competition the most sought after tournament in the city and the region.

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TOI Launches Girls Soccer League in Mumbai

With all eyes on the launch of ISL 2 on October 3rd, the time has come for Indian sports fans to switch channels from the-c-sport-that-cannot-be-mentioned to football. Yes, the ISL may have a limited impact at the grassroots level currently, but it is a nascent 3.5 month tournament that has certainly brought football to the forefront of the nation’s consciousness.

In keeping with this trend, the Mumbai Mirror, part of the larger Times of India group of publications, has joined hands with Western India Football Association (WIFA) and Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA) to launch a unique tournament called the Mirror Girls Soccer League. To be played over two weekends in October at the Cooperage 5-a-side pitches in Mumbai, the Mirror Girls Soccer League comprises three categories; Under-14, Under-16 and Open/Free Age. Matches will be 5-a-side with 4 substitutes with rolling substitutions.

Given that this is targeted at a demographic starved of quality competition locally, it is definitely an initiative that will give a massive fillip for girls football in Mumbai, Maharashtra and even other cities in India. We hope that the Mirror Girls Soccer League is a massive success! Spread the word and let’s get as many girls to be part of the tournament!

Here is a quick snapshot of the tournament details & how you can participate:

Dates: 10-11 & 17-18 October, 2015

Venue: Cooperage 5-a-side pitches, Churchgate

Format: 5-a-side with 4 substitutes (rolling subs)

Categories: U14, U16 & Open/Free Age

Last Date for Registration: 1st October, 2015

To register, write to themirrorbrand@gmail.com or call MSSA on 022 22693974 or 22620400.

Mumbai City FC Launch Grassroots Football League

Mumbai City Grassroots League

Mumbai City FC, who were awarded the Best Grassroots Programme by the Reliance Foundation earlier in May this year, have built on their initial success by announcing the launch of a new Grassroots Football League in the city. The ISL club has joined hands with the Navi Mumbai Area Schools Association (NMASA) to set up a much-needed youth league for children in the Under-8, Under-10, Under-12 and Under-14 age groups. The Mumbai City FC-NMASA Grassroots Football League will be held at the Fr Agnel Sports Complex in Vashi and will provide boys and girls from more than 150 schools in the Navi Mumbai area with competitive matches in a well-regulated and safe environment.

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