THE Craven, Aire & Wharfe Junior League have staged the first of a series of mini-soccer development tournaments last Sunday at Keighley's Marley Stadium in line with Football Association guidelines.

A total of 24 under-ten teams from as far apart as Horsforth and Thornton took part in groups over four pitches, all of them playing five matches.

Other age groups from under-sevens up to under-tens will get their chance and, although at the moment there are no finals or awards, the league are considering inviting the stronger teams to play-offs later in the season.

In other development features, experienced FA coaches will show managers and teams how to deal with particular weaknesses and, towards the end of the 2015-16 season, a number of coaching sessions will address the switch from five-a-side to seven-a-side matches and from seven-a-side to nine-a-side games.

The Craven, Aire and Wharfe, whose teams are not being charged for these development tournaments, intend to maintain their position as the leading Charter Standard League for junior football in the Bradford, Keighley and neighbouring areas.