FA Shareholders today voted in new Youth Development proposals by an overwhelming 87 per cent majority.

The Shareholders, present at today’s AGM at Wembley, voted to bring in a new player pathway for football to include a mandatory 5v5 format of football for U7s and U8s and a 9v9* format for U11 and U12s to be phased in by season 2014-15.

The changes passed have been developed over a number of years, with research and over two years of consultation across the game.

Nick Levett, National Development Manager,
said: “After 138 roadshows nationwide it was fantastic to get the endorsement of the majority of the grassroots football community.

“These changes are a massive step forward for the future of children’s football in this country.”

Introducing 5v5 for U7s and U8s, 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.

The move will also bring a more child friendly approach to competition, breaking up the eight-month long adult based season into smaller periods of competition which encourage increased learning.

The proposed changes to the player pathway and competition framework if approved go hand in hand with the FA Coaching philosophy, as outlined in the FA Future Game, which gives clear guidance on how the game should be played and coached, this philosophy is embedded in The FA coaching courses, and in our own FA Tesco skills coaching programme.

The story has been reproduced from TheFA website HERE

The Junior Premier League would like to congratulate Nick and his team at the FA on this landmark acheivement and thank him for the time, help and guidance he has given to us.

*Our members have already welcomed the introduction of 9v9 at U11/U12 for the coming season which will be complimented in a varied program of football at these ages. Our league games (all ages) will all be played over 4 equal periods to aid coaching. Our league cup will be of the traditional format (2 halves). ALL age groups will operate roll On/Off substitutes.

At the Under 11 & Under 12 age group we have adopted the recommendation given to us a few months ago by Nick to have smaller competitions and this has been enthusiastically received by our members.