The English Football Association has announced a number of structural changes to youth soccer, including smaller-sided games, smaller pitches and goals and more emphasis on skills and technique, rather than winning matches.
The changes look very much in line with the GAA Go Games initiatives over recent years that have been credited with placing the development of kids skills ahead of the more adult motivation of victories and tournament success.
The changes will see five-a-side fixtures introduced for seven and eight-year-olds, nine and ten year olds playing at the existing seven a side level, with 11 and 12-year-olds playing nine-a-side games.
“The main change is to make sure the future of game is more child sensitive than it has been before,” said the FA’s national development manager Nick Levett.
“The new format will mean more touches, more shots, more dribbles and a lot more involvement in the game.”
Sport for Business’ next Members Round Table event will be on the subject of Children’s Participation in Sport