Blog Post

NEHYL Newsletter Snapshot #10

Feb 19, 2024

February 2024

As we finish half term and head towards Easter, there’s a few key items to share with everyone – please do take a few minutes to read through.

The weather has really paid havoc with our competitive age groups this season – Divisional Secretaries are doing their very best to get all matches scheduled by the end of April and only going on into May as a last resort (the season formally finishes on 31 May). There will be the need for some fixtures to be played as Double Headers – if you do have a Double Header then make sure that you are up to speed with protocol by looking at our website. And teams can always look to play midweek fixtures as evenings get lighter if this suits all – just let your Divisional Secretary know once agreed.

Silent Support Weekend 2nd & 3rd March

The weekend of the 2nd & 3rd March is Silent Support Weekend. Players often say too much noise from the sidelines can be confusing and distracting. Younger players say the only voice they want to hear is their coach. Youth players say they want the chance to find their voice and develop their own game. It’s why we’re bringing Silent Support games into our league. Silent Support works by:

Players keep talking on the pitch.
Spectators support good play through applause only.
Coaches support the players as they need to.

From a coaching perspective we all recognise that the younger age groups will benefit from calmer, reassuring, support. From the U11 age groups and above, we expect coaches will be quiet for the most part.

Read resources to support this FA initiative on our website here →

Registration & Transfer Deadline

For U12s and above, the deadline for the registration of any new players or the transfer of players between teams is midnight on the 1st March.

We strongly recommend letting your Divisional Secretary know if you are planning any last-minute signings so that they can be approved in good time.

Mini Shin Pads

Several member clubs have taken decisive action to either ban or recommend in the strongest possible terms that players do not use mini shin pads for either training or matches. England Football has also just released some guidance about this matter here – and have advised that it will be the decision of the match official on the day to confirm if they are happy with the shin pads that any players are wearing and that they provide sufficient protection in line with the FA regulations.

Mini shin pads simply do not provide sufficient protection for players. The materials used in shin pads are also an important factor - always look for a CE mark which means the shin guards achieve minimum standards. We would welcome more clubs following suit and having the debate that will help promote a safer playing environment – and as a League we will be considering our next steps.

Pre-Match Protocols

We are constantly reminded that teams are simply not following pre-match protocols. As a reminder:

Match day team sheets must be either emailed by the day before the match or handed over as a paper copy before kick-off
An ID check MUST be done before kick-off – the ID check MUST use the photo sheet downloaded from, or viewed on, the FA Whole Game website. It is NOT acceptable to just print out a sheet of photos from club registration.
Only coaches who appear on the photo sheet are permitted to coach and be with the players during a match
If your opposition is unable to show you’re their photo team sheet, then you must email or text your divisional secretary prior to kick-off.
EVERY NEHYL game MUST start with the Respect handshake – this is an FA initiative.
It is best practice that spectators should NOT stand behind the club assistant referee – respect barriers must ensure spectators clearly recognise where they are allowed to stand

Read detailed Match Admin info here →

Important Dates

Divisional Secretaries are still finalising dates for their Cup Finals – these will be shared with teams in good time and, when confirmed, will be posted on the website on our Events page.

Presentation Evenings will be the 19, 20 & 21st June at Princes Hall Aldershot; more details will be shared nearer the time.

And the League AGM will be held at Princes Hall Aldershot on Tuesday 11th June starting at 7.30pm.

Wearing Bibs

Bibs may only be worn for Mini-Soccer matches (i.e. U7-U10) as a last resort if:

The home and away outfield kits clash to the extent that the referee requires one team to change; or
Goalkeeper tops are deemed (by the referee) to be insufficiently different to outfield players.

In all cases, bibs worn by players/goalkeepers must be uniquely numbered.

Bibs CANNOT be worn in any matches in the Under 11 age group or above.