Comments on: FA update on the future of youth football in England

By: Keith

Keith — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:12:59 +0000

Totally support the view that we should make the game as enjoyable as possible for players, parents, coaches and referees. So the first step must be the FA introducing stronger measures that deal with parents, managers and coaches mis behaving on the touchline.

By: Gayle

Gayle — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 13:57:10 +0000

Will better protection and support be put in for young referees?

By: Andy

Andy — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 07:31:19 +0000

Changes are to put us in line with other European countries and I guess look at the long term solution (less and less home grown players in our leagues). Our grassroots format has been stale for years and we definitely need to look at ways to help improve our players. Where we play 5v5 some countries play 3v3, smaller formats, more touches, quicker player, encourages movement. That’s where we need to be.
We don’t get paid for being grassroots coaches but we are the foundation of all young players wanting to play the game

By: Stuart Bonsall

Stuart Bonsall — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 00:27:53 +0000

This won’t result in more game time for players, it will mean those teams who only have one or two coaches focus on bringing through smaller squads, therefore becoming an elitest sport.

Stop.messing around with the game, they would be better off focusing on training facilities and equipment for teams.

In the huge branding deal with Nike, why hasn’t every team been given two match quality balls for games?

Why not stipulate exactly what size a 7v7 or 9v9 pitch should be, my team have played on so many different sizes pitches.

By: Ian

Ian — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 13:50:10 +0000

Parents used to be the issue, unfortunately now its the county and the leagues loving to fine tesms at every opportunity, becone an absolute cash cow now…………meanwhile volunteers suffer

By: Paul Whittaker

Paul Whittaker — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 07:51:42 +0000

Surely this makes sense to come into effect for the season after as the only age bracket it effects for the 26/27 season would be the current u12s. Where as if these changes come into effect for 27/28 the current u11s would just continue to play 9v9.

By: Jon

Jon — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 18:08:16 +0000

In reply to Stuart Bird. Why do they have to keep changing the rules, the header rule caused me injuries with children turning there heads to move out way getting a ball to the back of head or side, they have recently changed rules on throw ins for younger ages which all this will do is make it harder later on causing foul throws…. Now I’ll have to cut my team due to bing u12 now 9v9 then go up to 11v 11 and will haven’t drop down too 9v9 for a season then back up to 11v11 this is absolutely ridiculous …. Just leave football alone ….

By: Stuart Bird

Stuart Bird — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 15:15:09 +0000

I have a similar question/concern for my current U12s. They are currently playing 9v9, and then next season they will play 11v11, and then according to the new changes (which are good for the development), we will then drop back to 9v9 for a season and then bak up to 11v11. Is there any scope to allow the current U12s, when going up to U13s to stay at 9v9 rather than go up, drop down and then go up again in terms of number of players. It would help with retention and understanding.

By: Adam Blackburn

Adam Blackburn — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 09:06:41 +0000

So my U12’s will change to 11 a side next season then revert back to 9 a side in 2026 for the other half of the season

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 20:20:59 +0000

More investment in 3G pitches is essential. You can encourage more coaching and playing time as much as you want but if pitches are unplayable every week which has happened 5-6 times this season already and we are only at end of November more coaching and more time on the ball isn’t going to happen. We have just starting to use our new 4G which has been 15 years of planning and fundraising and it’s a game changer. Our club is so big we could do with 2 more and they iwould be used continuously..