Youth football is not as it was when the parents of the current generation of players were young and it is important for everyone involved to know the approach now taken and the behaviours required, which are very different to those frequently seen in adult football and especially at proffesional matches.
Development Football
In May 2012 after two years of research and consultation the FA ratified some of the recommendations of the Youth Development review. The FA say
“These positive changes have been put in place to improve enjoyment, fun and development of young players allowing more touches, on a better proportioned pitch with an increase of involvement in the game as a whole. The changes within The FA’s Youth Development Review will make youth football better for everyone involved.”
From the 2013-14 season the Surrey Youth League, in which Sheen Lions teams play introduced these new ideas, particularly 9v9 soccer for the U11 and U12 age groups.
You may read in detail about the FA Youth Development Review here and you can access more detail on the FA’s Get Involved / Youth Football pages.
A Safe Positive Environment
Everyone associated with Sheen Lions and all other Clubs playing in the Surrey Youth League must agree to the FA Codes of Conduct as must any guests that are brough to matches. The Club will take appropriate action against anyone that cannot follow these codes. The Codes are there to ensure that everyone participating in a children’s football match, as a player, referee, linesman or spectator is not subject to critisism of any sort that will affect their enjoyment.