PENZANCE YOUTH KICKS OFF NEW SEASON

The start of September means the start of another busy, and hopefully successful, season for Penzance Youth in the Cornwall Youth League. After a successful Registration Day last month, nearly 150 players are signed on and ready to go. 

Penzance Youth is run by Sue Morse alongside her partner Darren Dayus. “Me and Darren been involved in the Youth since 2010,” says Sue. “Our ultimate goal is for children to want to come and play for Penzance and become a part of our Penzance family because of the way we are - our values and the ethos that children come and have fun. 

“Our goal for this season is to give the ground at Newlyn Coombe a makeover – so we are always on the lookout for sponsors and help with the painting! To be successful it's not all about the winning but becoming a better player, and to see more children wanting to come to represent Penzance and join our one happy family. What is nice is when we help start the football journeys of young men like Sam Payne, Archie Ward, Tyler Dayus  and Oscar Halls. Tyler representing Penzance First team at 17 was a proud moment for us, as was Oscar signing a professional contract for Plymouth Argyle. Another player is Noah who represented Penzance Cosmos at Under-7s and Under-8s and is now also at Plymouth - we will see this young keeper in a few years as Argyle’s Number One!”

For 2025-26 the club is fielding nine sides, from Under-8s right through to the Under-18s. Last season the Under-12s won a League and Cup double, with the Under-18s also winning their championship. 

Penzance AFC Youth Under 12's - League & Cup Double Winners 2024/25

The youngest age group are the Tigers who will compete in the St Anthony West Under-8s Division and begin their campaign with a home fixture at the Coombe against St Agnes on Sunday September 14th. In the next year group, the Magpies will field two teams – the Lynxes who kick off with a trip to Truro City Titans on the same day, and the Jaguars who start away to Falmouth Community a fortnight later.

Penzance AFC Youth Teams - Under 8's Tigers (Left) & Under 9's Jaguars (Right).

Next up are the Pumas whose first Longrock West Under-10s Division fixture is at Culdrose. At Under-11s level the Cosmos will play in Wolfrock West, starting away to Falmouth Community. There are two sides in the Under-13s age group - the Vulcans are also on the road for their season opener – in League One West – travelling to Helston Athletic, and the Aliens who start their Premiership West campaign at home to Truro City. All these games are on September 14th.

The Titans will compete in Under-15s League One West, also starting on the 14th with a trip to Grouter Park to play Troon. Finally, Penzance Under-18s will be the first to kick-off their new season with a tough fixture away to St Blazey on Monday night, September 8th (7.30pm).

Behind the scenes at Penzance AFC Youth - (Left to Right) Sue Morse, Darren Dayus & Nigel O'Connor.

“We would like to offer a big Thank You to Nigel, Emily and Helen for all the work behind the scenes, and a big Thank You to all Penzance Youth Coaches without whom we can't do what we do for the children,” continues Sue Morse. “Finally, a big Thank You to Maurice Holland for all the foundations he laid out to create an awesome club which is still working wonders today.”

For more information, please visit the Penzance AFC Youth website.