English Schools' Football Association

The English Schools’ Football Association is a constituent member of The Football Association and therefore is bound by the rules and regulations of The FA.

FA Rules now state (Rule C4 (a) (vii) p118 of The FA Handbook): “A child in the age ranges Under 7, Under 8, Under 9, Under 10, Under 11, Under 12 and Under 13 may play in a match involving boys and girls”.

The ESFA will continue to organise competitions which are designated “boys” and “girls” competitions. However the Association acknowledges that a girl may be selected to play in a “boys” competition and a boy may be selected to play in a “girls” competition for the age ranges shown above.

The ESFA expects member schools and associations to respond to this rule change positively and in a way that reflects the philosophy behind it. The rules now afford the opportunity for some girl players, if their ability and preferences allow it, to play in boys’ teams up to the Under 13 age range.

The FA is confident that this will enhance the development of girls’ football and they expect that the vast majority of girls will still play their football in girls’ teams. At no point during the pilot study and research carried out by The FA was there any request from any boys to be allowed to play in a girls’ team or league. They do not consider the potential for boys to be interested in doing so to be great.