Whether you have dreams of becoming the next Harry Kane or Lucy Bronze, or you'd just like to enjoy kicking a ball about with your friends, Essex football welcomes all children and young people into a safe, engaging and progressive environment.

In the last decade, the way we provide youth football has fundamentally changed, introducing 5v5, 7v7 and 9v9 formats across different age groups and adapting the competition structure to support player development and improve their experience. It's crucial to retain player participation - smoothing the transition into adult football.

If you are female and you wish to play in a youth female football team (aged 11+) then you need to get in touch with your local club. Use the 'Find Football' tool below to find the nearest opportunities to you. There are also a number of youth league opportunities within the county. Some offer mixed football, and the county has one girls-specific league. If you wish to speak specifically to a league, then follow the link above to reach out to the key leads within each area.

In 2021/22, the 'Standard Code of Rules for Youth Football' were changed. One of the biggest changes was the introduction of girls' teams playing a year down from what they are affiliated as. An Under 12s Girls’ team could play within an Under 11s league programme. This has led to an increase in the number of girls’ teams playing within mixed youth football leagues. For further clarity on any of the above, please contact your local area Football Development Officer.