BEING in charge of one of the area's up-and-coming football league must be a thankless task.

Warren Barlow, chairman of the Bolton, Bury and District League, gives his views on grassroots sport and talks about the latest developments in the league.

This time he discusses how they are always offering opportunities for young people to try to get active.

THE buzz around the BBDFL continues unabated as we build on our solid foundations with many initiatives to improve the health and wellbeing of the community, enhance all aspects of the game and continue to grow or introduce new forms of association football.

Previously I outlined our structure and desire to introduce new elements and over the next couple of weeks I am going to outline them, but firstly I want to give you an overview of what I mean.

Two weeks ago, I outlined we went from 538 teams to 610 teams, but after publishing the league General Secretary Gary Russell reliably informed me that the league had grown to 620 teams as more teams had entered the league since the opening day.

For example Horwich St Marys entered a new under 8s team who started their first games on November 7, shortly followed by Bolton Lads and Girls club who entered a new team and Boothstown Juniors who did likewise.

This is another difference with the BBDFL as we don't have a closing date for teams to enter, as we always have an open door and will do our utmost to help any team, player or group of friends get into football.

We have so much going on, I really don't know how our committee members fit in their family life and day jobs as we look to grow U21s football, futsal, girls football, disability football, link to other sports to aid their development, develop our coaches and referees with specialists courses which the league will help to finance and do our utmost to enhance the facilities in the area to give this area a sporting legacy that others could only dream about.

Please check back next week when I will outline everything you need to know about our under 21s and my vision for the future.