To celebrate the launch of our new junior section, pupils at our village school will be put through their paces in football games as part of their sports week - culminating in the annual sports day later in the week.

The youngest pupils will be invited to a series of free taster sessions for boys and girls interested and eligible to join our the new Under 7s team launching ready for next season. Every child will take home an invite to bring an adult along for free to a league game in 2017-18.

The club have brought in Darren Cocker to help establish the junior section. Darren is well known for the impact he had on Hade Edge over a number of years.

The emphasis will be on giving youngsters the opportunity to lead a healthy lifestyle through sport, develop football skills in a safe and fun environment as well as creating engagement with and pride in the AFC Emley club and village. We will be an inclusive set-up where participation and effort is more important than performance and results.

Starting with Under 7s in 2017-18, we aim create a new team each season as each age group ‘graduates’ until we have Under 7s to 16s. That will be a 10-year process of gradual and sustainable development.

If your child was born before 1st September 2010 and would like to join this season or the Under 7 teams in future years, please email juniors@afcemley.co.uk

We are also appealing for volunteers to help run and grow this new initiative. It won't be possible without support of parents and others. There are vacancies for committee members, team admin and coaches. Again, please email juniors@afcemley.co.uk to register an interest and find out more. You don't have to have a child playing for us to be involved. All volunteers posts are subject to an criminal records check.

Further information is available at juniors.afcemley.co.uk