Traditionally the North Midlands Youth Cup Finals have been held on one day at one venue, with U14s, U15s and U16s Cup & Plate finals all in one place.
This year we would like to trial something different. Instead of being in one venue, the U14s Finals would be at one venue, the U15s Finals at another, and the U16s Finals at another. The justification for this change is as follows:
- By removing it from being one big day with requirements that only three or four clubs in the whole North Midlands can provide, almost all clubs across the North Mids would now be eligible to host some finals, instead of the same three or four clubs that host it every year – a much fairer system.
- Locations would be selected that minimised travel for everybody involved (where possible) – saving time and money for competing clubs.
- We could always have neutral venues for the finals, instead of the host being picked in January/February and then potentially having sides playing with an unfair advantage in the finals.
- Plate finals could actually be played on the main 1st XV pitch at the club hosting, as they could be played before the Cup final, giving the Plate finals more kudos than being stuffed away on a secondary pitch, as has been the previous norm.
This season then, the Finals will be held on Sunday 24th April. We would like to open the process for receiving applications to host the U14, U15 or U16 Finals. Clubs are invited to make expressions of interest by Thursday 10th March 2022, via the attached Word document and return to this email address – northmidsyouthcups@outlook.com.
Please make sure you have read the hosting criteria before sending in an application and please read the attached form in full before asking any questions.
Best Regards
Alex
