ST. MARYS — Bradford Area High School and nine other area varsity programs have joined together to form the District 9 Central League, or D9CL.

There are now three “all sports” conferences in District 9 — Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference (KSAC), Northern Tier League (NTL) and, now, D9CL.

The league, D9CL president Phil Esposito said, is “designed to foster collaboration, elevate student-athlete experiences and provide robust championship opportunities.”

Founding members, in addition to Bradford, include Brockway Area, DuBois Area, DuBois Central Catholic, Elk County Catholic, Johnsonburg Area, Kane Area, Punxsutawney Area, Ridgway Area and St. Marys Area. Sheffield Area will participate as a junior high school member only.

“These schools share a common commitment to creating a unified framework for competitive schedules while prioritizing the growth and success of their students on and off the field,” Esposito said,

The District 9 Central League will offer competition and championship opportunities across an array of sports including girls volleyball, basketball, cross country, tennis, track and field, softball, baseball, swimming and diving, and golf — all PIAA competitions.

Championship events and league schedules will be announced in the coming months, with the league — comprising current members of District 9 and Allegheny Mountain leagues — set to begin hosting competitions in the 2025-26 sports seasons.

Bradford High Athletic Director Mike Erickson could not be reached for comment by press time Thursday.

Officials said in a press release that the league was formed “to promote collaboration, streamline scheduling and provide enhanced championship opportunities for student-athletes.”

Offering consistent competition will, league officials reason, create “a platform for excellence” and “opportunities for student athletes to showcase their talents on a larger stage.”

Esposito said in a press release, “The league is committed to fostering sportsmanship, teamwork and a sense of community among its member schools … (and) to excellence in academics, athletics and sportsmanship.”