JD JUNIORS have found success on the pitch, but their efforts off it and the junior football team’s spirit is what earned them a place on the Young Champions Awards shortlist.

The juniors, based at Woolley cricket ground, are made up of an under tens and an under sevens’ team.

Since coach and manager Jason Dingle started the juniors last year, they have gone from strength to strength.

And everyone from the players to the parents gets involved in the fundraising to keep the team going.

Jason said: “We’ve done all sorts from Three Peaks walks to bag packing, and there are plans for a coast to coast bike ride. It all goes towards the club funds and helps keep the boys looking smart.

“We are also sponsored by the Barnsley Dementia Champions so we make appearances at their dementia cafes too. Myself and the treasurer Linda Lee go and the boys come along too.

“Most teams will train once a week but we train twice a week. They have always played to a good level but because I am self-employed alongside running the Juniors, I like to make sure they can be the best they can be.”

Jason said the footballers all get along and since he first started, numbers have doubled with word of mouth spreading in their primary schools.

“We do team building and fitness on a Monday, training on a Friday and then games on a Sunday. We have different activities but it is structured purely because that is the way I was brought up. They know to turn up on time for their matches and to look smart.

“It can be hard work because while my assistant coach Lee Wag helps, he does work away so sometimes it is just me. But it all pays off when they do well and you see the comments from parents.”

Jason has previously been a coach with teams at Staincross and Athersley Rec before starting out on his own.

“It was the best thing I’ve done. We have our own tuck shop and we can easily raise about £150 on a match day. Because we are still in our first year we are keeping outgoing to a minimum. But it means if they need any equipment or anything we have it there ready.

“I am always on the look out for new players, particularly for our under sevens.”

The team has been shortlisted in the Young Team of the Year - Community category.

They were nominated for a Young Champions Award by parent Jacqui Winder.

She said: “We are a fantastic family and all the parents are united in their support of the boys. We all turn out, even the mums, in the cold, wind or rain to cheer the boys on be it at home or away.

“We run our own tuck shop and football cards to help towards the fundraising at home matches. We all have a standing order set up every month to help pay for new equipment, fees, kits, training grounds and more.

“Over the past 12 months other boys have heard how good they are and have tried out and joined our happy little family. The parents always say how welcome they have been made to feel.

“The boys are like a big band of brothers and we all hang out together socially. There’s rarely any bickering goes on and their professionalism on and off the pitch is astounding. I can’t praise Jason Dingle enough. He lives, eats and breathes football and the boys make him so proud that he’s often in tears after a match.”

To find out more contact Jason on 07971 759136.