Orkney Youth Development Group

Our annual Brian Anderson Memorial Cup is on Sunday 6th September 2026! Give us a message if you'd like to come along 😁 everyone welcome!

As usual, we're looking for food donations please. It'd be much appreciated if anyone can bring something along; savoury or sweet, homebakes or shop bought!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Youth football coming up on Saturday 29th August at Picky grass pitches:

⚽️ U11s development league from 1000-1200
⚽️ Fun 4s (current P2-3s) from 1230-1330
⚽️ Super 5s (current P4-5s) from 1400-1500

The U12 county squad also travels to Shetland on Saturday night with a tournament on Sunday ahead of inter-county matches on Monday.

Orkney Youth FC get their Moray Firth U14 league campaign underway on Sunday against Alness United at Stromness Academy 3G 1415 KO. The U16s will hope to continue their strong start to the U16 Highland League away to Fort William (see separate post shared with full details from the new Orkney Youth FC page) - good luck to all the youth players representing their clubs/county this weekend ⚽️

Good luck to the Orkney Youth FC U14 and U16 teams on Sunday, this setup is in collaboration with OYDG and a lot of hard work has gone on (and continues) behind the scenes to make this happen. A fantastic opportunity for our young footballers and the pathway towards senior footie continues to strengthen! Good luck to both squads and if you can get along to support the U14s on Sunday at Stromness Academy 3G it would be appreciated - 1415 kickoff.

The OYDG were saddened to hear the news that Jim Cormack ( past chair person of the OYDG), had passed away. Jim was a football stalwart, at both senior and junior levels and will be fondly remembered. He was a tremendous servant within his role as chair and was responsible for the growth of youth football in Orkney.

Thoughts go out to his family, at this sad time.

Lost and found
At container, please comment or message page and we can check sizes or tags and then will try and arrange collection
Thanks.

Shopping week games coming up:
Wednesday 22 July - East vs West U18 football match, 7pm kick off at the Market Green, Stromness
Saturday 25 July- East vs West U16 football match, 11am kick off at the Market Green, Stromness
( please note change to kick off times for Saturday).
Come along and support your team!

On Saturday 20th June, Orkney U11s hosted Shetland U11s in their first county matches and then go on to compete in a round robin league which included the Orkney U10s development squad.
B County, Orkney 4 – 1 Shetland, a game that started off very close, both teams having chances early on, as the game settled down, Orkney found another level and put on a strong attacking display.
Lucas Walter with a double.
Tom Wishart with a goal from well within his own half.
Freddie Brown with a strike for inside the box.
Lucas Walter voted Player of the match by the Shetland coaches, for his attacking display and two goals.
A County, Orkney 1 – 0 Shetland, a game where both teams had chances, both goalkeepers put on fantastic displays, it was decided near the end with a good finish from a one-on-one chance, on the counter.
Leighton Groundwater with the winning goal
Scott Leonard voted Player of the match by the Shetland coaches, for his saves and clean sheet.
In the afternoon, the teams went into the Northern counties round robin. Orkney mixed their Red and White teams, Shetland continued with their teams as in morning. Orkney Yellows (U10s) made their debuts. After the tough morning of football, both sets of U11s went on to produce some fantastic football. Shetland Blue dominated the afternoon, winning 3 out of 4 games, a last match draw with Shetland White, ensured a 2026 Northern counties win and an undefeated afternoon, for them. Orkney Red, Orkney White and Shetland White all put in super displays battling for matches and points. The youngest team in the round robin Orkney Yellow played fantastically against the four older sides, and managed to get a strsong win against Shetland White.
Thank you to:
Shetland players, coaches and spectators for coming down to play us, and making a great atmosphere.
NorthLink Ferries for providing travel sponsorship to both Shetland and Orkney ensuring we can play each other.
Tom Huggard for reffing our county matches, it is very much appreciated.
U12 parents, players and coaches for running the food tent.
R. Clouston Ltd for sponsoring the OYDG especially the kit, proudly worn by other three teams.

🏆 OYDG U13 A & B League (9-a-Side) ⚽️

Congratulations to Rovers Yellow, who were crowned U13 A League Champions on Saturday🏆 after finishing level on points with Hotspurs Black they won the title thanks to a superior head-to-head record. Well done to both teams who enjoyed outstanding seasons 👏 and a special mention to Rovers Orange, who were promoted from the B League halfway through and finished 3rd overall.

The U13 B League was split into two phases with a promotion stage halfway through, followed by a playoff between the winners of each half. Last night’s final saw Rovers Orange take on East United B in a closely contested match. Rovers Orange took an early second-half lead but were unable to make the most of a number of chances. East United B responded with two long-range strikes proving decisive to claim the B League playoff medals and congratulations both teams 👏

A huge thank you to the Budge family for once again sponsoring the U13 leagues. OYDG were delighted to have Robert and Mason Budge present the Graham Budge Memorial Trophy to our U13 A League champions, Rovers Yellow, and captain Dara Glackin.

Thank you to every player, coach, parent, supporter and referee who has played a part throughout another successful U13 league season. A special thank you also goes to Picky and Ewan Mackenzie’s team for their efforts.

The U13 football isn’t over yet though! ⚽

The U13 Cup competition will take place in Aug/Sept, while next up are the U13 Inter-County matches against Shetland on Saturday 4th July:
🕚 A Match – 11:00am
🕐 B Match – 1:00pm

Well done to everyone involved throughout the U13 season so far, and good luck to all the players representing Orkney against Shetland this weekend! 🔴⚽🏆

Well done to Orkney Women's youth players on their trip to Dingwall.