FA Bans Competitive Mini-Soccer - and we agree
27 Jun 2008

Football leagues ban for under-8s:

The FA said children would still be allowed to play competitive matches.

The Football Association has banned competitive leagues and cups for boys and girls in the under-8 age group.

The move, which will take effect from next season, means no league tables or results will be published.

The FA said there was too much emphasis on winning leagues, when the need was to improve youngsters' skills.

FA director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking stressed that the under-8s would still be allowed to play competitive matches against each other.

Sir Trevor said: "It's widely accepted that we need to improve the skills and technique of players in this country. Every game played is competitive, but undoubtedly having league tables at this age is not helping their development. At the moment we are not at the same level as other countries. In the youngest age groups there's too much emphasis on winning leagues, often to satisfy parents and coaches. That's what we're looking to change. We need better, more skilful players coming through."

He added: "Of course, we are not banning children from competing against each other in football. Every game played is competitive, but undoubtedly having league tables at this age is not helping their development. It is the league tables being stopped rather than matches."

Long ball:

FA director of communications Adrian Bevington told BBC Radio 5 Live that a failure to produce skilful players was a problem in England.

"Kids at a very young age are being encouraged and pressured by coaches and parents just to kick the ball long, lump it forward to try and win a game, to get a result to win a league," he said.
"We're not trying to take the competitiveness out of football matches, but we're trying to ensure that skill and development can be encouraged and harnessed, to move forward."

Children at under-8 level play Mini-Soccer, which has rules similar to football but with smaller pitches and fewer players on each team.

The Scottish Football Association said it encouraged "trophy-free" football for that age group but did not ban competitions.

The Football Association of Wales and the Irish Football Association - which governs the game in Northern Ireland - do not have any official competitive football that young.

WHAT TO EAT
10 Oct 2006

(Taken from the FA Website)

Here’s a fact:

Young footballers can have all the skills in the world but without the proper nutritional support, they won’t be as fit as they could be and their performances will suffer.

They won’t be able to train as hard or as long, so won’t improve their play, and during games run the risk of getting tired.

How they perform during games and training depends on what they eat and drink before, during and after each match or session. If they eat and drink the right stuff, they will improve. Follow our advice and they’ll be a bundle of energy out on the pitch!

First off, let’s look at the essential nutrients young footballers need to be eating, and the foods they’re found in.

Nutrient found in:

>> Simple carbohydrates: Sweets, cakes, soft drinks, jam;

>> Complex carbohydrates: Rice, bread, pasta, potatoes, cereals, fruit;

>> Saturated fats: Butter, margarine, cheese, pasties;

>> Unsaturated fats: Sunflower oil, salmon, nuts;

>> Protein: Milk, chicken, eggs, fish, yoghurt;

>> Vitamins and minerals: Fruit, vegetables, dairy products;

>> Fibre: Seeds, peas, beans;

>> Water: Foods, drinks, formulated sports drinks;

Footballers need increased energy to gain that extra edge, and that’s most commonly found in carbohydrate. Now, in a healthy diet, 55-60% of it should come from carbohydrate, but for footballers, it’s even higher - as much as 70%!

Of course, players need other nutrients too and it’s not easy to get the perfect intake of carbohydrate from eating a regular three meals a day. The way to do it is by snacking:

Snacks play a crucial role in a player’s diet, especially if eaten immediately after training or a match. That’s when the energy stores in the muscles which have just been working are best refuelled.

Snack Attack! These snacks are high in carbohydrate but low in fat:

Banana, jam or honey sandwiches
muesli bars or sweetened popcorn, fruit cake, currant buns, scones, American muffins, crumpets, bagels, English muffins, scotch pancakes, pop tarts, rusks and cereal, jelly cubes, jaffa cakes, wine gums, jelly babies, low fat rice pudding, bread pudding, yoghurts and milkshakes, fruit and dried fruit.

BLADED BOOTS
22 Sep 2006

As many parents will already know to their cost, Norton Hill, Somervale and Writhlington schools have banned all types of bladed boots. However, this a schools' decisions as there is no such FIFA, UEFA or FA ban on any type of football boot or stud. The only requisite is that a boot is safe.

Bladed boots are therefore permitted in the MSN&DYFL provided they, like any other boot or stud, are safe, and safe means not sharpened or roughened which is caused by walking on concrete or tarmac surfaces.