Coach with Children

Kent FA reiterate importance of not publishing results in U7 to U11 football!

Kent FA reiterate importance of not publishing results in U7 to U11 football

Under FA Standard Code of Rules, results of league games from Under 7 to Under 11 are not to be published.

These rules have been in place since the FA Youth Development Review of 2012 which saw significant changes to how our youth game is played.  The impact of the changes has been quite remarkable as the number of mini-soccer teams affiliated to Kent FA has increased by over 30% from 866 teams in 2013 to 1174 teams this season.

Kent FA are very clear that results should not be published by any leagues or clubs for games from Under 7 to Under 11. This includes the use of social media and their own websites.

Luke Baker, Football Development Officer at Kent FA said, “the fact that we do not publish results until Under 12 allows coaches and parents to focus on development instead of a league position.

These age groups are still as competitive as any other game as they still play with two goals, a ball and a referee. The only difference is that the adult centric view of results over a nine month season has been removed so coaches can instead focus on the child centric view of having fun in a safe environment each week.”

Importantly, we are able to expose some published competitions in a limited way across our youth game. Rule 20 (A) of the Standard Code of Rules for Youth defines the rules around the progressive changes to the competition structure through youth football:

Age Group

Competition structure

Under 7 and Under 8

Maximum of 3 trophy events per season over 2 week periods

(total of 6 weeks)

Under 9 and Under 10

Maximum of 3 trophy events per season over 4 week periods

(total of 12 weeks)

Under 11

Maximum of 3 trophy events per season over 6 week periods

(total of 18 weeks)

Under 12

Any varieties including one season long league table

 

Luke Baker added, “Young players certainly know when they’ve won and lost but will move on from both results a lot faster than adults do. Collectively, our goal is very simple: to create a player centred environment that every child can love.”

If you have any questions regarding youth football then please contact Luke Baker (Football Development Officer) on Luke.Baker@KentFA.com.