Research
A children’s view on
dealing with defeat
“Losing is ok, its good to learn you don't have to win
everything” (Beds U9)
“Normally forgotten by Saturday afternoon if you've lost”
(Beds U9)
“It’s important we try to win“ (Durham U11)
“Not bothered about winning the league, the game is just for
fun” (North Riding U9)
“I do worry if we've lost but not for too long as I want to go
and find out the Villa score then” (Worcs U10)
“If we win, my dad lets me stay up late, if we lose he makes
me go to bed early” (Liverpool U11)
Research
What children say
is important to them
Trying my hardest is more important to me than winning
I love playing football because it's fun
It's a really good game and I love it!
It helps keep me fit and healthy
I like meeting new friends through football
I like playing with my friends
I like learning new skills
I like playing matches against other teams
I really like scoring or stopping goals
It's important to me I try to win matches
I play because it makes my parents happy
I like skilling people
I like to show off my skills
It’s important to me I win the league
Winning is more important to me than trying my hardest
It's important to me I win trophies and medals
321
282
248
235
232
198
140
116
103
99
23
20
7
3
0
0
Research
Professional game view
“We need to move away from this win-at-all-costs culture
and let children start to enjoy football”
(Gary Lineker 2010)
“The problem is, in England, you teach children to win the
game, in Spain, we teach children to play the game”
(Jose Mourinho 2010)
Proposal
New child-based approaches
to competition
From 2013/14, non-league matches at U7, U8 and U9
From 2014/15, non-league matches at U7, U8, U9 and U10
From 2015/16, non-league matches at U7, U8, U9, U10 and U11
For those age groups playing in ‘development games’ rather
than ‘league’ environment the FA considering “licensing” a
number of events during a season, where results could be
collected and winners awarded.
New process would actually increase competition.
Proposal
Current Model – One season from September to April
Three
Mini
Seasons
One
Multidivision:
divisions:
One-day knockout competition
Handicap
for the League
teams format
World Cupsystem
/ Champions
Top
half
competition
Cup half/Bottom
/ Vase / Shield
events
for all teams
Round
competition
BottomRobin
threethree-way
from A in with
top 3 from B
Futsal
day
Chancefinals
to see
ability of teams in different
leagues against each other
Development matches – learning the game
Benefits
- 21st Century child-centred approach to competition
- Appropriate use of competition relative to the age and desires
of the players
- Flexibility for leagues to be creative and innovative
- Increase competitiveness throughout the year
- More chances for more teams to win
- Includes variety in the long-term player development for the
children
Formats of
the Game
Research
Competition
Mini Soccer
Proposal
Benefits
Questions
- Should we have a retreat line for opposition to go back to
and allow the children to play out from the back?
- Should we change U7 and U8 to have roll-ins due to the
difficulty children face with throw-ins?
- Should we change format to be optional four ¼’s instead of
mandatory 2 ½’s?
- Should there be a ruling of ‘minimum 50% playing time’ for
every child?
- Should we change U9 and U10 to split the pitch into thirds
and introduce offside in the final third?
Timescales
January
March
June
September
2011
2012
2013
2014
Ongoing
Consultation
Jan September
2011/2012
Season
No Changes
2012/2013
Season
Optional
2013/2014
Season
Mandatory
December