The Craven, Aire & Wharfe Junior League have received the Charter Standard League of the Year 2012 award from the West Riding County Football Association.

The award was presented at Valley Parade to the league’s management committee by Hannah Simpson, chief executive officer of the West Riding County FA.

The recognition follows the extension of the age range to include mini-soccer (seven years to ten years), the introduction of the new nine verses nine standard for under-11s and under-12s and the achievement in becoming a Charter Standard League.

The range of activities provided to support the development of member clubs was also a major part.

Member clubs and individuals connected with the league were also honoured, such as George Brown (Oakworth Juniors) for Football Futures, and Marcus Strudwick (Idle Juniors) and Lee Maran, who are members of the West Riding County FA’s management team. Maran was also recognised as Young Volunteer of the Year.

Meanwhile, Fairbank United received the Charter Standard Club Award and Salts Juniors the Charter Standard Development Club Award.

The league, which started in 1981 with just six teams, now includes 50 member clubs and 337 teams and extends from Grassington and Settle to Bradford and Otley.

There was also a recent nine verses nine event at Marley involving juniors from Campion and Wilsden.

It was run by Andy Foster, regional coach development officer from Sheffield, who gave a coaching demonstration for managers.

Afterwards six teams took part in a small tournament using the all-weather pitch.

The league have also run two evening sessions for club referees with the aim of helping them im-prove their own performance, while an IT support session has been held at Phoenix Service Solutions in Keighley.

The object there was to help club officials use the internet for registering players and submitting match results.