New Argyll football league kicks off with support from CalMac
West coast ferry company CalMac has announced its sponsorship of an exciting new Argyll-based youth football league.
Rather than spending full days travelling to matches and back in the central belt, the Argyll and the Islands Youth Football Association (AIYFA) will give young players the opportunity to play league games in their local area.
The nine teams in the league consist of young people born in 2011 and 2012 from Port Ellen, Oban, Lochgilphead, North Connel, Tarbert, Campbeltown and the Vale of Leven. After a six-month pilot, the full league season officially began at the end of August, with full approval from the Scottish Youth Football Association (SYFA).
Each game will end with a "CalMac player of the match" while a CalMac cup will be presented to the winning team at the end of the season. AIYFA organisers are also hoping over time to expand the group to Bute and Mull, and eventually into a cup competition which could include teams from throughout the west Highlands and Islands.
Plans are also in place to create leagues for additional age groups as well as a girls' league.
Diane Burke, Commercial Director for CalMac, said: "We are delighted to support the newly formed AIYFA and wish all players the very best for the season. Argyll communities don't always have the benefit of the same sporting opportunities as those in urban areas, which is why local initiatives such as this are so important.
"The places we serve are at the very heart of everything we do at CalMac, and supporting local communities is one of our highest priorities. We are looking forward to working with the organisers AIYFA as it expands and continues to nurture our young football stars, and we hope we can play a small part in helping to develop future professional players."
Don McAllister, Chairman of the AIYFA League, said: "We are delighted to have secured the very generous backing of CalMac for the new league. CalMac and the Argyll & the Islands Youth Football Association are natural partners in that we both aim to support the logistical challenges of living in rural and isolated communities on the west coast.
"This sponsorship will help us to grow the game in rural Argyll & Bute for a group of young people who may otherwise miss out, and we are all looking forward immensely to our inaugural season."
Anyone who would like advice on how to form a young team to join the league can contact Don at donmca@btinternet.com.