Dismay over ban on Under-8s



Youngsters in Sefton and West Lancashire will be robbed of the chance to see their name in lights after an FA ban on competitive football for under-8s.

The FA hope the plan will reduce pressure from pushy parents and improve technique but the move has been met with dismay in some quarters.

Chris Baumber, administrator for Southport FC's junior football said under-7s, already banned from competitive football, were particularly upset by the decision.

"There has been a ban on competitive football for under-7s for some time and having been involved with a club with under 7s going into under 8s I know the kids are bitterly disappointed.

"They see the results from the weekend and stories about players scoring goals because the manager has sent in a report and its suddenly been whipped away from them. Suddenly they are told it is not going to happen for another 12 months.

He added that youngsters wanted the chance to emulate their professional heroes.

"They see professional players on TV and in the papers and to a lesser degree they think it is going to happen for them and then it doesn't."

Chris also said parents were upset.

"People want their kids to have the full enjoyment that the older kids do."

Skelmersdale Junior League Chairman Joe Nelson said he was "doubtful" about the ban.

"I've got to be honest I'm not sure. It's a competitive world we live in, even in a schoolyard kickabout.

"Life is about winning and losing and losing with grace is the way football should be, shaking hands afterwards."

Joe also thought that FA Director of Communications Adrian Bevington had done managers in his league a disservice by saying kids are "being encouraged and pressured by coaches and parents just to kick the ball long, lump it forward to try and win a game."

Joe said: "Coaches would be annoyed at statements like that because from what I've seen they play some good football."

An FA spokesman said: "We are trying to create an environment where children can develop their skills and enjoy the game without the pressure of having to get a result week in, week out.

"Children told us they were giving up football because they were getting hollered at if they made a mistake.

"If they enjoy the game they have plenty of time to get competitive."

 



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