Leisure Leagues
Leisure Leagues is an organiser of five and six-a-side football,[1][2] running leagues in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.
In 2017, the brand expanded to Pakistan[3] and plans to launch new competitions across the UK and the rest of the world.[4]
History[]
In the 1980s a co-operative of sports facility managers began the first established network of small-sided football leagues, predominantly in sports halls and, in 1990 these were grouped under a single generic name, Leisure Leagues, to represent a local small-sided football league usually located outside London and in rural or provincial towns across the United Kingdom where the opportunity for low cost competitive sport was limited.
In 1998, the Leisure Leagues Allstars was formed to play challenge matches against other 5 a side teams across the country.
Leisure Leagues then grew throughout the United Kingdom with the first leagues in the Republic of Ireland beginning in 2007, in the United States of America in 2012 and in Pakistan in 2017.
Leisure Leagues is the generic name for multiple organisations operating under either a franchise or licence and is the largest independent network of small-sided leagues globally.
Leisure Leagues operates over 70 separate multi-league franchises in the United Kingdom.
Charities[]
Leisure Leagues donates its profits to a range of charities, including Cancer Research UK, the Dogs Trust and Blind Children UK.[5][6] Even with the organisation's massive operations across Europe, they are committed to keep their travelling carbon neutral.[7]
Leisure Leagues Pakistan[]
In 2016, the Leisure Leagues brand launched in Pakistan, with a series of exhibition games involving some of the world's top footballers, like Ronaldinho and Ryan Giggs, the matches are thought to have attracted the largest crowds ever in the history of 6 a side, and became known as the "Ronaldinho and Friends" games.[8]
Leisure Leagues is also committed in women's football and women's issues. In March 2020, Leisure Leagues organized a tournament to celebrate the International Women's Day, won the title among eight teams.[9] For the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, held every year in October, it held the Leisure Leagues Women Football's Pink Cup 2020, won by Diya W.F.C. among eight teams.[10]
Leisure Leagues Mexico[]
In 2019, The brand went to Mexico, launching the first network of leagues in the country.[11]
Testimonials[]
The organisation has received words of support from several footballing celebrities,[12] including Alan Wiley,[13] Alex McLeish,[14] Stephen Kelly[15] and Jeff Kenna.[16] It is not only in the footballing world though where the charitable work of Leisure Leagues is recognised, as Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Usain Bolt and Boris Johnson have all given messages of support to the organisation.[17]
Format[]
The Leisure Leagues, using football pitches across the country, give the opportunity to people from different walks of life and standards of football to get involved in a local league.
These are generally people that have been left behind by the 11-a-aide game, which is more geared to better, fitter footballers.
The different leagues in different regions (and days) contain varying numbers of teams and divisions. Teams and players can compete in multiple leagues at the same time and as there are different skill levels throughout the leagues, teams may win one league and find themselves in a relegation battle in another.
Number of players[]
As of April 2017 the Leisure Leagues network had well over 300,000 players, which makes it the biggest independent network of leagues anywhere in the world, with well over 3,000 teams playing in UK competitions alone.
New website[]
On 5 September 2016, Leisure Leagues unveiled its new website.[1] The first league to be tested on it was the Flagship competition at Birmingham University.[18] The roll-out was completed fully on 31 October, with the old website switched off on 1 November 2016.[19]
Leisure Leagues franchise[]
In 2010, Leisure Leagues unveiled plans to franchise their brand worldwide.[20] By 2016, almost a third of their leagues were operating on a franchise basis. This includes the competitions in Ireland[21] the US[22] and Pakistan.[23]
In 2014, the brand moved into the US, and in 2017 leagues had started in Pakistan, with Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho announcing in mid-March that he was to visit Pakistan to be the face of the launch.[24]
The first ever Leisure Leagues Franchisee, Steve Hogan,[25] was celebrating his tenth anniversary with the firm.
Brand ambassadors[]
After the success of the launch of the Pakistan leagues, when a series of top stars played in the record breaking games, Leisure Leagues announced a series of brand ambassadors. They added to their star names in September 2018 when Mark Clattenburg signed on as the referees ambassador.[26]
Socca World Cup 2018[]
Leisure leagues played a central role in the first ever Socca World Cup in Lisbon. The 32 team event was mostly organised by Leisure Leagues, who supplied the UK teams. Matches were played at the Trunkwala Stadium - named in honour of Leisure Leagues Pakistan.[27] Leisure Leagues Brand Ambassador Mark Clattenburg refereed the final, which was won by Germany.[28]
Involvement with UK Socca[]
Leisure Leagues holds the license to operate the national socca teams, together with UK Socca.[29] In February 2020, it was announced that one of their partners, Richard Ockelford, would be the director Of football for England team at 2020 World Cup.[30]
2020[]
On 24 June 2020, Leisure Leagues became the first operator in the world to begin one of its leagues after the global pandemic, with the Guernsey competition kicking off.[31] That was followed by the announcement on 5 July, that Kilkenny League in Ireland would follow.[32]
List of leagues[]
The following is a selection of Leisure Leagues, competitions as of February 2020:
Aldershot: 6 a side League Monday[33] and Wednesday[34]
Altrincham 6 a side League Thursday[35]
Ashton Under Lyne 6 a side League Sunday[36] Monday
Birmingham 6 a side League Sunday[37]
Bognor Regis 6 a side League Monday
Brackley 6 a side League Sunday
Braintree 6 a side League Sunday
Bridlington 6 a side League Monday
Brighton 5 a side League Tuesday
Bristol 6 a side League Thursday
Burntwood 6 a side League Sunday and Monday
Buxton 6 a side League Wednesday
Cannock 6 a side League Sunday Sunday Monday Monday Wednesday
Derby 6 a side League Sunday
Desford 5 a side League Monday
Gillingham 6 a side League Monday
Guernsey 6 a side League Wednesday
Halifax 5 a side League Sunday Monday Wednesday
Kendal 6 a side League Sunday
Kilkenny (Ireland) 6 a side League Sunday
Kidderminster 6 a side League Sunday Monday
Manchester 6 a side League Monday
Matlock 6 a side League Tuesday
Middlesbrough 6 a side League Monday
Middleton 6 a side League Monday
Newark 6 a side League [1]
Newmarket 6 a side League [2]
Northwich 6 a side League Monday
Nuneaton Etone 6 a side League Sunday Monday Tuesday
Nuneaton Academy 6 a side League Sunday Monday
Plymouth 6 a side League Sunday Monday Thursday
Reading 6 a side League Tuesday
Redditch 6 a side League Sunday
Rubery 6 a side League Tuesday Thursday
Shrewsbury 6 a side League [3]
Sittingbourne 6 a side League Sunday Monday
Solihull 6 a side League Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday [4]
Solihull at Solihull Moors F.C. Monday
Stourport Monday
Stroud Monday
Tamworth at Tamworth F.C. Sunday Monday
New leagues in 2020[]
In July 2020, Leisure Leagues announced a #SummerofWeightloss expansion programme, in line with Boris Johnson's call to the country[38] this involved a massive expansion of new leagues, which was backed by Solihull MP Julian Knight.[39]
Faversham 6 a side League Sunday
Shepton Mallet 6 a side League[40] Monday
Gillingham Sunday 6 a side League[41] Sunday
Alcester 5 a side League Wednesday
Ascot 5 a side League Sunday
Bedford 6 a side League Sunday
Bradford 6 a side League Sunday
Chatteris 6 a side League Monday
Crayford 6 a side League Sunday
Crickhowell 6 a side League Monday
Dartford 6 a side League Sunday
Dorchester 6 a side League Sunday
Effingham 5 a side League Sunday
Erith 6 a side League Sunday
Haverhill 6 a side League Sunday
Oldham 6 a side League Sunday
Barnstaple 6 a side League Sunday
Dover 6 a side League [5]
Salisbury 6 a side League Sunday
Dewsbury 6 a side League [6]
Letterkenny 6 a side League Sunday
Leicester 6 a side League Sunday
Stamford 6 a side League Sunday
Portishead 6 a side League Sunday
Dorchester 6 a side League at 1610 Sports Centre Thursday
Corby 6 a side League Sunday
Crawley 6 a side League Sunday
Gloucester 6 a side League Sunday Friday
Ipswich Sunday
Aberdeen 6 a side League Sunday
After lockdown 2[]
A raft of new leagues were planned to kick off after the second lockdown:
Wembley 6 a side Sunday
Sandiacre 6 a side Monday
St Neots 6 a side Friday
Whitley Bay 6 a side Sunday
Ivybridge 6 a side Sunday
Luton 6 a side Monday
Hartlepool 6 a side Sunday [7]
Birmingham 6 a side Sunday Tuesday
Bognor Sunday
Oadby 6 a side Sunday
2021 announcements[]
Peterborough 6 a side Sunday[42]
Crewe 6 a side Sunday
St Neots 6 a side Friday
Bangor 6 a side Sunday
Wigan 6 a side Sunday
Nottingham 6 a side Sunday
Brackley 6 a side Wednesday
Maidenhead 6 a side Sunday, Monday
Launceston 6 a side Sunday
Taunton 6aside Thursday
Autumn 2021[]
Autumn 2021, as restrictions eased further, saw plenty of new leagues added. These included:
Stockport 6 a side Wednesday scheduled for October [43]
Yeovil 6 a side[]
On 29 April 2021 an announcement was made that Leisure Leagues were taking over the running of the 6 a side leagues at Yeowil Town,[44][45] with a Sunday league kicking off on 2 May.
Halstead 6 a side[]
On 30th June 2021 it was announced that the brand new 750k pitch at Halstead Leisure Centre was opened. [46]
Leisure Leagues won the tender to operate 6 a side leagues on the new pitch and announced a new. Monday league from 8-10pm kicked off in July.[47]
Leagues Scheduled For 2022[]
There are plenty of leagues scheduled for 2022. Bracknell [48] Bracknell Sunday - Kings Academy
References[]
- ^ a b "Leisure Leagues - Play 5 a side & 6 a side Football". www.LeisureLeagues.net. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ Fox, Richard. "Football sponsorship - opportunities - National teams and organisations - UK - uksponsorship.com". www.UKSponsorship.com. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "Is Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho coming to Pakistan?". Dawn. 12 March 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
- ^ "Brand new community league set for Newton Rigg College". CumbriaCrack.com. 12 October 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "Blind Children UK - Guide Dogs". www.BlindChildrenUK.org. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "Beneficiaries - Leisure Leagues". www.LeisureLeagues.net. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "Stirling Other Sport - Daily Record". www.StirlingObserver.co.uk. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ AFP (2017-07-09). "Ronaldinho and friends play match in Karachi to boost Pakistan football". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ "Aga Khan Women FC wins Leisure Leagues Women's Day football title". Khilari. 2020-03-11. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- ^ "Diya FC crowned Leisure Leagues Women Football's PINK CUP 2020 Champions!". Khilari. 2020-10-27. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
- ^ "LEISURE LEAGUES MEXICO IS GO! | News". Leisure Leagues. 2019-08-29. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ "Testimonials - Leisure Leagues". www.LeisureLeagues.net. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "Top referee backs Belvedere competition". News Shopper. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "Stirling Other Sport - Daily Record". www.StirlingObserver.co.uk. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ WalesOnline (6 March 2008). "Football: Free kit for your team says Kelly". WalesOnline.co.uk. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "Places up for grabs for new campaign". www.Chad.co.uk. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "Events Guide in Harrogate District". www2.HarrogateToday.co.uk. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "Birmingham 6-a-side Football - University of Birmingham - Leisure Leagues". www.LeisureLeagues.net. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ http://retro.leisureleagues.net[bare URL]
- ^ "Leisure Leagues Franchise -Football Franchise". Leisure League. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "Local 5 & 6 a side soccer leagues - Leisure Leagues". www.LeisureLeagues.ie. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "Leisure Leagues - 6v6 Soccer Tournaments". www.LeisureLeagues.com. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "Local 5, 6 & 7 a side football leagues - Leisure Leagues". www.LeisureLeagues.pk. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "Football legend Ronaldinho to visit Pakistan - The Express Tribune". Tribune.com.pk. 12 March 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "Want to get paid for your passion? A unique opportunity has arisen to take over a hugely popular small sided football league in Deeside". Deeside.com. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ "MY TOUGHEST 6 A SIDE TEAM TO REFEREE - BY MARK CLATTENBURG | News". Leisure Leagues. 2018-09-17. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ "HOME NATIONS READY FOR WORLD CUP ACTION | News". Leisure Leagues. 2018-09-24. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ "GERMANY TAKE THE HONOURS IN LISBON". International Socca federation. 2018-10-01. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ "England". International Socca federation. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ "New Management Team for England 6-a-side squad". UK Socca. 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ "Game on for six-a-side football in Guernsey". ITV News. 2020-06-16. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ "Kilkenny Kicks Off | 6 a side | Leisure Leagues Ireland". Leisure Leagues. 2020-06-23. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ "Aldershot 6-a-side Football | Aldershot 5 a side". www.leisureleagues.net. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ "Aldershot 6-a-side Football | Alderwood Leisure Centre". www.leisureleagues.net. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ "Altrincham Thursday 6aside football | Fixtures, Results, Tables | Leisure Leagues". www.leisureleagues.net. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ "Ashton Under Lyne 6-a-side Football | Curzon Ashton Football Club". www.leisureleagues.net. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ "Birmingham 6-a-side Football | University of Birmingham". www.leisureleagues.net. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ "Boris Johnson backs calls for 'summer of weight loss' amid anti-obesity drive". 24 July 2020.
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/442740182467601/videos/631068454210752[bare URL]
- ^ "A Red Hot Start to the Shepton Mallet 6 a side League – Leisure Leagues".
- ^ "GOALS A-PLENTY AS GILLINGHAM 6 a SIDE KICKS OFF – Leisure Leagues".
- ^ "Peterborough 6-a-side Football | Netherton United FC".
- ^ https://www.leisureleagues.net/league/marple-hall-school/stockport-wednesday
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/leisureleagues/posts/764866364224806[bare URL]
- ^ "CLATTENBUrg's DELIGHT AS NEW YEOVIL 6 a SIDE PARTNERSHIP KICKS OFF – Leisure Leagues".
- ^ "Ribbon cut on new £751,000 3G football pitch named in memory of former schoolteacher". July 2021.
- ^ "Halstead 6-a-side Football | Halstead Leisure Centre".
- ^ https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/post/ugcPosts/61a6430d1ba9c20019b2ea71
- Association football leagues in the Republic of Ireland
- Football leagues in Scotland
- Football leagues in Wales
- Association football leagues in Northern Ireland
- Football leagues in Pakistan