Comments on: UPDATES TO GRASSROOTS YOUTH FOOTBALL IN ENGLAND

By: Jason Perry

Jason Perry — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 12:45:07 +0000

Another stupid change by the FA. This is not a progressive move forward. 3v3 is a joke, need more coaches and venues to make it worthwile. the delay in moving to 9v9 and then 11v11 at the youth stage will not help any player development. I coach at the U9 level at the moment (been coaching for over 15 years) and in a years time my team will be ready to go to 9v9.

I am really afraid this will lose players and grassroots in the UK will start to damage all the positive steps that have been made in recent years.

Please rethink and consult the grassroots coaches before making these changes.

By: Bridget

Bridget — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 23:42:25 +0000

Absolutely flabbergasted by the ridiculous 3v3… it will be the end of grassroots football if this goes ahead. We use council pitches… are the FA and grassroots going to pay for them to be made smaller, are they going to sort new volunteers, the whole no ref no goalie is a joke. I don’t think anyone gets it. Why fix what isn’t broken!

By: Ry

Ry — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 09:47:44 +0000

Absolute madness , I’m a coach of a current under 8s team , the 3 v 3 is something we use in training however I don’t see any benefit of playing 3 v 3 matches , less players getting involved with football, more coaches required , more facilities required , too many rule changes are deffinitely causing more confusion than good , if it’s not broken don’t fix it , also means goalkeeper will be waiting longer to get involved with football , I can’t see how it all makes any sense

By: Brian Culverhouse

Brian Culverhouse — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 17:54:57 +0000

I’ve been coaching children for 40 years. Way before the commencement of mini soccer and very much before girls were allowed to play.
Now we find the FA are more experienced than those of us who have always been at the sharp end.
It is extremely disappointing that we are now been told to expect 3 v 3 which is rubbish. We are told it comes from consultation, again rubbish. Anyone working with children at grassroots will know we don’t have the volunteers, we don’t have the pitches but we do have the practical knowledge that playing 3 v 3 is not for clubs.

By: Simon Amos

Simon Amos — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 07:51:58 +0000

So more changes a foot for the younger age groups brings more confusion.
Going three v three will require more qualified coaches, DBA checks, and pitches.
Currently pitches are provided by schools or local authorities who have little or no money to maintain the existing facilities.
The demand for more volunteers to step up to assist is unrealistic as many families are working variable shift systems required by employers and other who do not work are in receipt of social benefits that barely cover the essentials.
I have been a supporter of the current structured approach as both league and match official but I fear this may be a step too far.
If it’s a two year consultation why are you bringing the format in prior to the end of the two year term.
Whist these younger age groups prove to be the FA test environment for change when are you going to roll out the sin bin to the higher leagues in the ladder?
Once again I feel frustrated with change being enforced upon our beloved game.