THE football pulse has been beating strongly among Barrow primary schools as 24 teams battle it out in a new seven-a-side league.

Year 6 teams from across the borough have helped take the game to a new level in a tournament giving young stars a chance to showcase their skills.

Three divisions of eight teams – the Premiership, the Championship and League One – seeded according to their performances in previous competitions take to the 3G pitches at Pulse every Thursday.

The seeding helps ensure each game is competitive, and the competition has already proved a big success, with a number of thrilling, closely-contested matches.

The format differs from previous years, when schools were split into six groups of four, with matches often one-sided, and league organiser Neil Irving feels this concept is more beneficial to the youngsters taking part.

He said: “In years gone by, some schools would turn up and usually end up with heavy defeats in their games, which did neither team any favours.

“Teams in the new leagues are much more evenly-matched and will allow children to play really competitive football.

“The leagues take place every Thursday at Pulse Soccer, who once again have provided super support for junior football in the local area.”

Each division’s champions will receive their own trophy and medals at a presentation evening, and with just a couple of games left in each the race for the top honours is heating up.

In the Premiership, Newbarns currently sit top, ahead of Yarlside and Holy Family, while Victoria look dangerous in fifth with games in hand, having produced two superb displays in their opening appearance.

Vickerstown look the team to beat in the Championship, while Roose have got off to a flying start in League One, but with St Pius and Cambridge right behind them it’s still all to play for.

Pulse Soccer duty manager Daryl James added: “The football on display so far has been tremendous and all the kids seem to be really enjoying themselves.

“The standard at junior level is improving year on year so long may it continue.”