Football Association vote in favour of youth football changes By Dan Roan The Football Association has voted in favour of making small-sided formats for certain age-groups mandatory. Proposals including smaller sided games on smaller pitches and smaller goals were voted in by an 87% majority. In England, some children as young as 10 currently play on full-size pitches. “The smaller pitch and number of players allows greater number of touches of the ball and involvement in the game, helping develop greater technical skills at a lower age.” FA statement: "These changes are a massive step forward for the future of children's football in this country," said national development manager Nick Levett. "After 138 roadshows nationwide it was fantastic to get the endorsement of the majority of the grassroots football community." While some youngsters already play small-sided games the new pathway now includes a mandatory 5v5 format of football for under-7s and under-8s and a 9v9 format for under-11 and under-12s to be phased in by season 2014-15. Before the vote the FA's Head of Elite Development Gareth Southgate made a speech in favour of the proposals which FA insiders say was key. The changes are designed to emulate the emphasis on technique and skill in countries such as Spain where children are only allowed to play on adult pitches from under-14 level. "These changes are desperately needed to support the future development of youth football," said Levett. "We need to ensure children play on pitches appropriate to them, a 10-year-old is not half a 20-year-old! "We also need an approach to competition that makes the game more competitive for more children." Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand got involved in the debate on Twitter. He tweeted: "One thing our kids coaches don't do that foreign coaches do is teach them to pass the ball to a player under pressure...then coach one-two. "How to protect the ball under pressure..foreign players do that much better than us...one reason why they keep possession better. "FA coaching courses need a right old shake up in my humble opinion if we are to move forward...some real good bits but some ancient bits too." What the changes mean: 5v5 format for under-7s & 8s 9v9 format for under 11s & 12s The FA needed 75% of the votes cast for the reforms to be approved. An FA statement said: "Introducing 5v5 for under-7s and under-8s, with progression to 7v7 and then 9v9, allows the children to play on appropriate size pitches and with appropriate size goals. "The smaller pitch and number of players allows greater number of touches of the ball and involvement in the game, helping develop greater technical skills at a lower age." http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18236981
The 9v9 ( at under 11) was optional last season, with most teams running 11v11. I think there was 10-12 teams in the whole Hull Sunday League ( U11s) that chose to go with the 9v9 format.
I'm happy the FA have got something right for once. Though I don't know who or how the 9v9 pitches and goals will be set out or paid for by grassroots clubs? Now we just need a campaign to educate the majority of Sunday league parents about letting there kids enjoy the game.
The best way to stop parents shooting and moaning on the side lines is, before the season starts make all the parents both mum and dad play against each other while the kids shoot at them for every mistake they make, as they will not be as good as they think they are.
The biggest debate will be on the way that a players age group is determined. The FA currently want to change grouping that is geared on the school year and works, to a system that starts groups players by the year that they were born in.
No not a coach - used to do some sunday league reffing untill my knees gave in!! - My lad plays sunday league. I think why most teams stayed in the 11v11 format was due to the costs of buying new sized goals, and downsizing in squad numbers.
The problem is still there though a player born in january will be near on a year older than a player born in December plus with early and late developers it's a problem you can't really over come. In holland the academy plays in 6month age groups and in some cases on a players size to help a good player who may be a late developer and struggling physically .
I agree it isnt easy to get the age thing right, but the school year group makes a huge difference. It could be that a player born in August 2001 plays in the same team as a player born in September 2000. But would it be right for a player who is in Junior School to end up competing against players from the first year of a comprehensive school. It does feel right thats all.
