Games for youth football are being formatted for smaller teams.
The proposal is as follows:
Age Group Grid:
In the UK, the FA determines youth football age groups based on a child's age on August 31st before the season starts. The school years aligns as follows:
Primary School Age Groups
|
School Year |
FA Age Group | Match Format | Football Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reception / Year 1 | Under 6 (U6) | Training / Play Phase only | Non-competitive |
| Year 2 | Under 7 (U7) | 3 v 3 | Non-competitive (Mini Soccer) |
| Year 3 | Under 8 (U8) | 5 v 5 | Non-competitive (Mini Soccer) |
| Year 4 | Under 9 (U9) | 5 v 5 | Non-competitive (Mini Soccer) |
| Year 5 | Under 10 (U10) | 7 v 7 | Non-competitive (Mini Soccer) |
| Year 6 | Under 11 (U11) | 7 v 7 |
Competitive leagues begin |
Secondary School Age Groups
| Year 7 | Under 12 (U12) | 9 v 9 | Competitive |
| Year 8 | Under 13 (U13) | 9 v 9 | Competitive |
| Year 9 | Under 14 (U14) | 11 v 11 | Competitive |
| Year 10 | Under 15 (U15) | 11 v 11 | Competitive |
| Year 11 | Under 16 (U16) | 11 v 11 | Competitive |
Age Group Format