What a load of Rubbish... how can you have non-competitive football!

I have two boys who fall into this Age Bracket, maybe they have no clue where they are in a league... and maybe they do not care, but they do want to win each individual game and they definitley like scoring goals and tackling!

If you the desire to win grows in children as they get older.... so why make it an issue, all that will happen is we will have a nation of content losers!

I have been running a local football team for boys since my son was seven years old, he is now 13 and think the experiences and social skills he has obtained has helped to make him not only a better person and footballer, but also learning about team work etc, the list could go on and on, so what are the negatives.
What next ban school sportsday, cubs, etc,
this country gets worse by the day.

Bitterne Park Tim wrote:
What a load of Rubbish... how can you have non-competitive football! I have two boys who fall into this Age Bracket, maybe they have no clue where they are in a league... and maybe they do not care, but they do want to win each individual game and they definitley like scoring goals and tackling! If you the desire to win grows in children as they get older.... so why make it an issue, all that will happen is we will have a nation of content losers!

Couldn't agree more. My boy played with the local team and being in the Team - picked and dropped, winning and losing helped in his development.

He is now a 6'4" 17 year old and I wouldn't have missed those early days gping from the 7+ side for anything in the world.

I know the FA refers to parents in particular and if you have anything to do with youth football you have to admit that some parents go totally over the top.

Part of the team ethos is to work on those parents as well!

Forgot to say, we loved winning

"Poortvliet: Sport is all about winning and losing"

Well, he's better than Burley already - he thought it was only about the latter...

It`s also a game of two halves, to be fair.

I think you all are missing the point.
The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions.
The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions.
The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow.
Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

its all part of growing up, learning how to cope and act when winning and losing is part of a childs education.

mullingar wrote:
I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

sorry mullinger.
where is the talent they have produced, i dont think i spotted any in the euros.

mullingar wrote:
I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

anyway you are wrong. the senior clubs academies do play in cup competitions and play in normal leagues, saints academy has done pretty well in thier league over the last few years

mullingar wrote:
I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

This should be happening anyway, having Leagues and Cup Competitions does not hinder the development and coaching..... So you are saying they should still play the games but the outcome does not count towards anything.

I do not see your point?

trever brookings comments on this issue

Due to the urgent need to improve skills and technique among young English players, from next season competitive leagues in the under-eight age group will not be allowed.

The FA's Director of Football Development, Sir Trevor Brooking, a former England international, said: "It's widely accepted that we need to improve the skills and technique of players in this country.

"At the moment we are not at the same level as other countries. In the youngest age groups, there's too much emphasis on winning leagues, often to satisfy parents and coaches. That's what we're looking to change. We need better, more skilful players coming through.

"Of course, we are not banning children from competing against each other in football. Every game played is competitive, but undoubtedly having league tables at this age is not helping their development. It is the league tables being stopped rather than matches."

As a youth administrator myself, I must praise the decision of the FA in this instance.

As previously said in the comments page, much of the games at Under 8's level are taking over my the determination from the parents not the kids.

We all contribute to youth football to see the youth of today enjoy the game we all love so much.

This action taken by the FA will only prove to be a good or bad thing in the forthcoming future, when these lads are old enough to represent their country!!!

Watching the Euro 2008 at home over the last few weeks has been rather depressing not to see our country be involved. Our youth policy in this country needs to be reviewed and I think that the FA have finally reliased this and plans are being discussed to improve this and more will soon be revealed.

At Under 8s, it is about the kids enjoying the game, learning and improving - not winning!!! How ever, for the parents, winning is everything.

The amount of games which I attend and the amount of hearings/meetings I sit on, you will be very surpised to hear the extent some paretns go to, just to win a game.

This "non-competitive" competition may also improve the level of referee's in the counties - enabling young, new referee's to gain experience with out the added pressure of either side needing to win.

I fully support this new ruling from the FA.

My son is 8 and I am always drumming it into him that whatever you a doing you should aim to win everything as long as you play within the rules.
He was taking it all in the other day and asked "Why do you support Saints then Dad?"
I had no answer.

Mike wrote:

Sandra Gidley wrote: How dare this man say that sport should be competitive? We in the Lib Dems believe that in school sport all the little ones should be winners. Competitive sport leads to tears before bedtime. Worse still, those bad children who win things might be encouraged to join the army and become fascists. If we can eradicate all this horrible competitive sport then everyone will be nice to each other, and they can all grow up to be teachers and lib dem councillors.

Please tell me this is a spoof post and you are having a laugh? If you are not then you are way off the mark and totally deluded in your views!

It was a very subtle spoof until the second half. This wont change much except take away the structure. My lad's three and loves the game. Can't imagine him not playing in some form of match by the time he's 6 let alone 8.

As much as the above is a spoof it is a worry that we are going to be the nation of "content losers" as BPT said in the first post. Hope Kelly Holmes' plan to make kids more competitive works.

at that age it should be about teaching the kids to express themselves and enjoy the game, yes they need to want to win but by taking away the league format you take away some of the 'win at all costs' mentality.

Kids should be allowed to express themselves and to take risks without worrying about getting told off by the coach because they tried a bit of skill that led to a goal.

I looked at the Spanish CB's in the Euro's and if a young lad in this country tried to play his way out of trouble in that position he'd probably be panned by his coach when he is actually playing football the right way and yet Spain have managed to win the Euro's by playing the best football of the tournament.

England would have been hammered by Spain and until someone does something drastic then we will always come up short against opposition who are better technically.

Obviously a BAD day for news. Out in the garden with my nail clippers and imagineering the Saints first game of the season.

An heroic 8 - 0 victory and "Lowe Out" writes in and says

"What a spiffing chap that nice Mr. Lowe turned out to be. He's invited "Sniper" and I out to his Castle for braised badger and Unicorn tears. I do hope Crew 657 gets an invite as well"

MORE SPIN BY LOWE AND WILDE, GET THE OUT AND THE DUTCH CLOWNS WITH THEM!!!

mullingar wrote:
I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point.
The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions.
The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions.
The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow.
Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

mullingar wrote:

mullingar wrote: I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point.
The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions.
The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions.
The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow.
Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

mullingar wrote:

mullingar wrote:

mullingar wrote: I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point.
The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions.
The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions.
The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow.
Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

You know whatever the subject we get this 'Lowe out' rubbish. Surely it is about time to give it a rest. As for youngsters and competitive sport, surely leagues and cu[ps are good as long as the game is played in the right spirit.

Graham wrote:
Obviously a BAD day for news. Out in the garden with my nail clippers and imagineering the Saints first game of the season.

An heroic 8 - 0 victory and "Lowe Out" writes in and says

"What a spiffing chap that nice Mr. Lowe turned out to be. He's invited "Sniper" and I out to his Castle for braised badger and Unicorn tears. I do hope Crew 657 gets an invite as well"

You've obvioulsy had too much sun with your nail-clippers if you can believe that.

Not the bit about Saints winning 8-0 (that's what most Saints supporters always believe in pre-season - one day it will come true) but 'Lowe-out' stringing more than two words together in a coheremt sentence.

I think you all are missing the point.
The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions.
The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions.
The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow.
Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

mullingar wrote:

mullingar wrote:

mullingar wrote:

mullingar wrote: I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point.
The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions.
The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions.
The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow.
Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point.
The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions.
The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions.
The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow.
Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

mullingar wrote:

mullingar wrote:

mullingar wrote:

mullingar wrote:

mullingar wrote: I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point.
The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions.
The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions.
The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow.
Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

mullingar wrote:

mullingar wrote:

mullingar wrote:

mullingar wrote:

mullingar wrote:

mullingar wrote: I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

What's the point?

MikeC wrote:

Graham wrote: Obviously a BAD day for news. Out in the garden with my nail clippers and imagineering the Saints first game of the season. An heroic 8 - 0 victory and "Lowe Out" writes in and says "What a spiffing chap that nice Mr. Lowe turned out to be. He's invited "Sniper" and I out to his Castle for braised badger and Unicorn tears. I do hope Crew 657 gets an invite as well"

You've obvioulsy had too much sun with your nail-clippers if you can believe that. Not the bit about Saints winning 8-0 (that's what most Saints supporters always believe in pre-season - one day it will come true) but 'Lowe-out' stringing more than two words together in a coheremt sentence.

You're right.

It's the Letchworth sunshine has gone to my head. I haven't lived in Southampton since 1971 and I forgot its always depressing down there.

North of Watford - it's the new heaven!

p.s. My dream last year was never an 8-0 victory. I have been wishing for 3 wins in a row for as long as I can remember.
Now that would be nice.

I am was the manager of a successful U8s team last season and you would have expected me to be critical of the FA's move. However, I am not.

Unfortunately, the problem is not the kids, its the parents. The kids of course play to win every match and are gutted if they lose.

Parental behaviour however over the last few years has been getting out of hand. Of course every parent thinks their child is the next Beckham - dont have a problem with that. However a significant minority of parents use their children as some kind of way of venting frustration about their own failings, inadequacies etc in their lives. Unfortunately, the kids pick up all too easily this kind of behaviour.

I have been dorectly threatened by parents on several occasions including one parent who wanted to "knock my effing head off" over a disputed throw in (!!!), and another parent who made it known locally that he was going to "get me" - following our success in a top of the table clash. Although of course I dont take this (too) seriously,the competitive pressure of league table brings out the worst in a few parents and sets a very bad example for the kids.

Having watching the likes of Spain and Holland etc knock the ball around playing some lovely passing football in Euro 2008, I am actually very pleased that our (very talented) U7s will not be exposed for at least another year to the winner takes all "hack him down" kind of encouragement for at least one more year so they can develop their game in a slightly less pressurised environment.

me wrote:

mullingar wrote: I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

anyway you are wrong. the senior clubs academies do play in cup competitions and play in normal leagues, saints academy has done pretty well in thier league over the last few years

Actually, the academy sides from U8's up to U15's do not play in league or cup competitions!
They play league football from U16's upwards.
Talent is produced in this set-up, unfortunately some fall by the way side, others move onto to other clubs and some get through.
As for your comment about no talent in the euros - you were probably talking about no English talent on display, what is the connection with this discussion??

mullingar wrote:

me wrote:

mullingar wrote: I think you all are missing the point. The games will remain competitive, lots of tackling and scoring but the results will stand for nothing - no league tables or cup competitions. The emphasis will be on development and coaching of the kids - what positions can they play, how do they cope under pressure from better opponents, can they learn what they are coached during the training sessions. The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations take note and follow. Enough shouting, ranting and screaming from the touchlines, it is time we produced better coaches and supportive parents!

anyway you are wrong. the senior clubs academies do play in cup competitions and play in normal leagues, saints academy has done pretty well in thier league over the last few years

Actually, the academy sides from U8's up to U15's do not play in league or cup competitions! They play league football from U16's upwards. Talent is produced in this set-up, unfortunately some fall by the way side, others move onto to other clubs and some get through. As for your comment about no talent in the euros - you were probably talking about no English talent on display, what is the connection with this discussion??

yeah no english talent at euros,i think the connection is obvious. we are talking about english fa producing better players.
your quote:-
"The senior clubs have been doing this for years with the academies and centres of excellence and if they make it work and produce talent from within and I would suggest the local clubs and associations. "
if they haveve been doing it for years it obviously doesnt work AS THERE IS NOT ENGLISH TALENT AT THE EUROS.

Dave wrote:
I am was the manager of a successful U8s team last season and you would have expected me to be critical of the FA's move. However, I am not. Unfortunately, the problem is not the kids, its the parents. The kids of course play to win every match and are gutted if they lose. Parental behaviour however over the last few years has been getting out of hand. Of course every parent thinks their child is the next Beckham - dont have a problem with that. However a significant minority of parents use their children as some kind of way of venting frustration about their own failings, inadequacies etc in their lives. Unfortunately, the kids pick up all too easily this kind of behaviour. I have been dorectly threatened by parents on several occasions including one parent who wanted to "knock my effing head off" over a disputed throw in (!!!), and another parent who made it known locally that he was going to "get me" - following our success in a top of the table clash. Although of course I dont take this (too) seriously,the competitive pressure of league table brings out the worst in a few parents and sets a very bad example for the kids. Having watching the likes of Spain and Holland etc knock the ball around playing some lovely passing football in Euro 2008, I am actually very pleased that our (very talented) U7s will not be exposed for at least another year to the winner takes all "hack him down" kind of encouragement for at least one more year so they can develop their game in a slightly less pressurised environment.

Sounds like a fairly typical day.

We once had 2 parents in an under 9 tournament rolling around on the touchline beating hell out of each other.

Honestly, you wouldn't believe it until you've seen it.