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.”
The FA will be phasing these changes in over a few seasons starting in 2013-14 however the Surrey Youth League, in which Sheen Lions teams play have already introduced some of the new ideas, particularly 9v9 soccer for the U11 and U12 age groups.
You may read in detail about the FA Youth Development Review here.
The FA have produced some excellent documents which are available on their page above. Below are direct links to their key documents.
