English Schools' Football Association

Stakeholders within the national game will be fully aware that the FA Youth Review’s implementation is now in full swing and the next phase involves the format of the game at the primary school age group. Despite this information being circulated on numerous occasions by The FA, County FAs and the English Schools’ FA, we are still receiving a number of enquiries due to uncertainty surrounding the competition pathway at the primary age group.

Therefore, the ESFA is issuing this update in an attempt to clarify the position relating to youth football as directed by The Football Association.

From season 2015/16, the following competition pathway will be in place:

This player pathway will lend itself to the development and learning of our young players as they prepare their progression into the 11v11 game.

U7-U11	No league tables to be published. No single eight-month long season. Three trophy events allowed per mini-season.
U12+	League tables allowed

Summary of Competition Pathway

Under 7 and Under 8
Even the youngest children will benefit from having the opportunity to play for a little cup, two or three times a season. Children of this age are very ego-centric and can only see the ‘here and now’ and certainly not the outcome of something in eight months’ time. This competition can take place over a two-week period and, for example, can include a little knockout cup event. This means that over a typical 26-week season, six weeks of this will be focused competition.

Under 9 and Under 10
As children grow developmentally and cognitively, the periods of competition can increase a bit further as their views of the world start to widen. They can start to interpret results in a more meaningful way. This competition can take place over a four-week period and, for example, can include group stages and a cup final. This means that over a typical 26-week season, 12 weeks of this will be focused competition.

Under 11

Children can now start to understand whether a team beats them because they tried harder or they were better players, something they can’t often do before this age. As they prepare for secondary school, peer influences start to come into play. This competition can take place over a six-week period and, for example, can include a Champions League style event. This means that over a typical 26-week season, 18 weeks of this will be focused competition.

What is a trophy event?

Leagues cannot publish league tables throughout the season up to U11 as part of the new approach to a child-friendly competition. However, they will be able to promote and publicise the winners of the different competitions.

This will allow recognition of winners where appropriate but without the pressure of three points and goal difference on the children every week for 26 weeks. The FA has found from research that one of the main reasons children drop out of football is due to increased pressure from adults on the expectations to win every week.

Being creative with competition and building development as the children get older is a great way to keep children playing football longer.

Furthermore, this variety will give children the excitement of looking forward to what happens next – the new format of the game and new competitions to play in!

Examples of competition

Champions League:

• Teams divided into equal groups
• Series of round robin fixtures
• Top teams progress to ‘Champions League’ other teams progress to ‘Europa League’

Place Competition (2 week competition):

• Teams divided into equal groups and play round robin to determine their place (week 1)
• Placed teams from all groups play off against each other in the second round robin to determine overall position (week 2)

Festivals and Round Robins:

• Central venue
• Play several matches
• Teams play a range of fixtures alleviate pressure of winning when only playing in one match

Cup Events:

• Traditional Cup Events to complement existing League Cups
• Additional Plate/Vase competitions to ensure more fixtures
• Provide teams more chance to experience cup competition against similar level opponents

Ladder competition:

• Organisation of fixtures to allow several matches against teams of the same ability and geographical area
• Teams can challenge opponents above and below them on the ladder
• Emphasis on more equal games and avoidance of high scoring games

Thinking ahead

For those that like to plan ahead or who may be linked to a league development plan this is what the complete pathway will look like by the 2015/16 season for youth football in England. This will be the complete pathway once all the changes have been phased in. This will provide a robust and child-friendly system that allows progression and enjoyment for all young people.

Age	Max format	Recommended Pitch (yards)	Ball Size	Ideal goal size	Approach to Competition
U7	5v5	40x30	3	12x6	3 x Trophy events over two weeks each
U8	5v5	40x30	3	12x6	3 x Trophy events over two weeks each
U9	7v7	60x40	3	12x6	3 x Trophy Events over four weeks each
U10	7v7	60x40	4	12x6	3 x Trophy Events over four weeks each
U11	9v9	80x50	4	16x7	3 x Trophy Events over six weeks each
U12	9v9	80x50	4	16x7	Any variety inc. one season long league
U13	11v11	90x55	4	21x7	Any variety inc. one season long league
U14	11v11	90x55	4	21x7	Any variety inc. one season long league
U15	11v11	100x60	5	24x8	Any variety inc. one season long league
U16	11v11	100x60	5	24x8	Any variety inc. one season long league
U17	11v11	110x70	5	24x8	Any variety inc. one season long league
U18	11v11	110x70	5	24x8	Any variety inc. one season long league

Whilst this will be the proposed pathway in 2015/16 season it is important that development systems continue to evolve and develop. For too many years youth football in England hasn’t evolved at the same rate as the game has. There needs to be a commitment to embrace change and continually develop the game to suit youth football.

Changes to Laws of Mini-Soccer, 9v9 and 11v11 will continue as we constantly strive to afford young people the best opportunity to develop and improve.

All key people involved in the game need to embrace these developments in the best interests of young people, constantly putting children’s interests before our own.

The following resources are available to download at www.esfa.co.uk/development

• FA Youth Review – Competition Pathway Summary
• FA Youth Review – Youth Leagues Guide
• FA Youth Review – Schools Guide

More details regarding the FA Youth Review can be found at

http://www.thefa.com/my-football/player/youth-football/youth-development-review

Darren Alcock
ESFA National Competitions Manager
Updated: August 2015

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• 2Bob Owen
  The rationale behind this initiative is very laudable and should have a positive effect in many areas of youth football. It is however completely inappropriate for schools' representative football which has leagues of up to 10 games and no season-long events of 20+ matches (one of the reasons why this initiative was introduced). Furthermore, district football does not contain the one-sided affairs regularly experienced in club football (another reason for the introduction of this initiative). I feel it is absolutely imperative that the ESFA enters into some really intense and constructive dialogue with the FA over this at a time when we are all doing our utmost to maintain, promote and grow district football. I don't know which 'educationalist' wrote the 'Summary of Competition Pathway', but after over 35 years of teaching I would suggest that differentiation is at the heart of all learning. The FA does not have the faintest idea of differentiation, either by definition or application, and until someone (as a schools' association - and by definition therefore one with an educational bias - the ESFA would therefore seem to be an appropriate conduit) seeks to explain to the FA's representative(s) in very simple terms the difference between district football and local club football, our product will become ever more threatened.14 August 2015 @ 15:17

• 1Andy Davis
  may I enquire if there are any changes to the laws of the game for u12 s 9 a side. For example offside laws and the 10 yard rule at free kicks?? Many thanks Andy12 August 2015 @ 15:46