Mixed football announcement

The FA has completed its three year study into mixed football and, subject to formal approval at The FA’s AGM in May, has agreed to extend the age to which girls can play in boys’ teams to the U13 age group from the 2010-11 season.

Once formally approved, a maximum of four girls will be able to play in a boys’ 9v9 or 11v11 team, but there will be no restrictions on the number that may play in mini-soccer at the U11s age group. This follows an extensive study, widespread consultation and robust risk assessments carried out on this issue.

Background

In the 2007-08 season, The FA agreed that a number of mixed gender trials in the U12s, U13s and U14s age categories would be conducted. The trials were subsequently extended to the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.

The FA commissioned Brunel University in 2008 to evaluate these trials to determine the key issues involved in mixed gender football. The Brunel University report was completed in January 2009 and recommended that The FA continue to allow girls to play with boys to an older age group as the research indicated the following:-

a. Girls will benefit from opportunities for skill development, challenge, and enjoyment.

b. Boys and girls benefit socially from the friendships they develop and gaining respect for each other as team mates.

c. Research on child development and physiology indicates there is considerable overlap between boys and girls in relation to size, motor skill development and ability between 11-13 years olds.

The FA then commissioned independent risk assessments by the company Logistique to assess the risk of injuries to players. No female participating in any mixed gender team studied required any treatment for injuries.

The FA also consulted with FIFA, UEFA and various other countries’ football associations, the results of which showed that England had one of the lowest ages for requiring separation into single gender teams.

Finally, separate adult and player consultation questionnaires were developed and issued to 557 individuals who carried out a variety of roles within football.  A 38 per cent return was achieved, and this showed, amongst other things, that 66 per cent of adults and 64 per cent of players were in favour of raising the age limit for mixed gender football to include U13’s.