Nottingham-based Young Elizabethan League will this weekend host an under-8 pilot football festival at Cotgrave Colts FC, aimed at introducing a new way of developing young players.
After wide consultation last season, under-8 teams are now not permitted to play in leagues where results are collected or published or winner trophies are presented, as this is deemed to be detrimental to the development of the player.
With 44 teams invited, the emphasis of the festival will be on enjoyment and learning new skills as opposed to ‘winning at all costs’ and League Chairman Kevin Cooper, is fully behind the change in regulations:
"When Mini-Soccer was first introduced in the mid 1990s, our under-8 league always played friendly matches, following advice from The FA.
"However for the past five seasons we have allowed under-8s to play for points, following the national trend, so when we were asked to host this pilot we were very keen, because we have realised that the result quickly became more important than having fun and learning the game."
Over the course of the weekend, as well as 4v4 and 7v7 matches, coaches from Nottingham Forest’s Academy will teach the players some key skills and a 10 minute session of keep-ball will look to improve every player’s passing, control and movement.
A further part of Nottingham Forest’s involvement in the weekend has seen them offer 450 discounted tickets to parents and players for their match against Charlton Athletic at the City Ground on Saturday.
All the teams present at Cotgrave Colts will also get an opportunity to play a game in a ‘quiet area’. Traditional Mini-Soccer rules will apply, the only difference being that no parent or coach will be allowed to speak during the game; the only voices that are to be heard are the players.
This festival is the brainchild of The FA’s National Football Development Manager, Les Howie:
"What we want to do this weekend is create a different way in which an under-8 player can enjoy their football," said Howie. "At that age, the game should be about fun and enjoyment with the emphasis on development, instead of the result.
"We’ll trial a number of different game related activities over the course of the weekend, each one aimed at increasing the number of touches any one player will get and this will ultimately help them improve their technique. It’s important to remember that the matches will still be competitive, but without the results being recorded.
"Because this is the first season since the change in regulation, we will ask each club for their feedback on the weekend as we look to move forward."
