DISTRICT FOOTBALL

District Football: The Highest Level of Grassroots Football - The Best vs. The Best

HOW DISTRICT FOOTBALL WORKS

For the purpose of schools' football, Birmingham is divided into seven geographical regions - or districts. The Second City is home to over 300 primary schools. Each school is allocated to one of the seven districts. Year 4, 5 and 6 pupils, both girls and boys, can represent their district at football by attending annual trials and being identified as one of the best footballers from their region.

Each district squad competes against other school associations from across Birmingham, the Midlands and nationally.

At it's simplest, district football is essentially the best players from one geographical region against the best players from another geographical region. It is the best vs. the best and represents the highest level of grassroots football. It is one step below academy or RTC football.

Who are the seven districts?

Can my child play for any district?

My child already plays for a team, is that a problem?

Aston, East Birmingham, Erdington and Saltley, Harborne, Kings Norton, South Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield.

No. Your child can only play for the association under which their school falls. To find out which district your child can play for, click here.

That is not a problem! Players continue to play for their grassroots team after being picked for their district. District games do not clash with Sunday league (boys) or Saturday league (girls).

My child plays for an academy, can they play district football?

Absolutely! Academy players can play district football. It is the only youth football programme where grassroots players and academy players play alongside each other.

When are district games played?

Boys' district games are played on a Saturday morning, while girls' district games are played on a Friday evening.

Where are district games played?

Boys' district games are played from the Aston Villa FC inner-city training ground - Brookvale Academy. Girls' district games are played from the main Aston Villa FC training ground - Bodymoor Heath.

FIVE REASONS TO PLAY DISTRICT FOOTBALL:

1. The Best vs. The Best - District football is the highest standard of youth grassroots football. It is higher than any Saturday or Sunday league.

2. Central Hubs - All district games, both girls and boys, are played from a central hub location. This means there are no long away games. It also means the players, staff and parents all get to know each other and become friends as the season progresses.

3. The Atmosphere - There is no shouting at the refs, angry adults, defiant children or any of the other issues that have unfortunately become increasingly common in grassroots football. District football is schools' football, and as such, all adults and children are expected to behave in a manner befitting of school.

4. Competitive Football - District football is competitive, with leagues and cup competitions providing a healthy balance between competition and development, especially when played in conjunction with grassroots Sunday league football.

5. The World Class Facilities - District football games are played out of Aston Villa FC's training grounds. The facilities are world class and arguably the best outside of academy football.

OUR FACILITIES

Aston Villa's Brookvale Academy (pictured right) and Bodymoor Heath provide a truly brilliant setting for all district football games. World class facilities ensure the issues that often blight grassroots football (waterlogged pitches, frozen playing surfaces) are not an issue. Gone are the muddy pitches, long grass and bumpy surfaces. In their place, state-of-the-art facilities, beautiful all-weather 3G surfaces, and a roof (Brookvale Academy) to protect players, coaches and spectators from the perils of British winter! Birmingham district football arguably has the best grassroots football facilities in the country!