FOOTBALL chiefs in mid Wales are determined the ongoing pandemic and lockdown restrictions will not drive young people away from the game.

Last year's lengthy lockdown and rolling restrictions have been feared to have caused the loss of the next generation to the game.

However Mid and North Powys Junior Football League spokesman Paul Inns insisted all efforts were being made to ensure boys and girls continued to play.

He said: "The M&NPJFL Winter League will be continuing.

"That’s played outdoors on the 3G at Newtown and Llanidloes.

"There will need to be some adaptations to ensure we manage the risk of transmission, but we are keen to ensure as many young players as possible have the opportunity to play football over the winter period."

Meanwhile Inns hoped the continuing restrictions would not derail the great strides in developing the women's game in mid Wales.

So far this year clubs have taken turns to host junior festivals which have led to an increase in participation across the age groups.

Inns was hopeful such festivals would be able to continue but conceded the current restrictions would have an impact.

He said: "Powys Girls Football do have indoor festivals planned for girls, but that may well prove difficult to run given the covid protocol restrictions on player and support numbers.

"We are discussing whether it’s feasible to run the indoor football."