With over 80 teams competing the new format has proved extremely popular amongst players, parents and coaches alike.
The initiative is a result of a successful partnership project between the SYL and Surrey County FA. As part of a review of youth football, the FA are consulting on making 9 v 9 football compulsory for the 2014-15 season and the SYL believe the time is right to go that way now in advance of this decision.
League Secretary Frank Thompson said: “9 v 9 football is the ideal pathway for youth teams as a transition between Mini Soccer and the 11-a-side game. The format offers a stepping stone for the learning and development of players, with pitch sizes and goalposts being more appropriate to their age, which promotes more touches of the ball, more dribbling opportunities as well more goal scoring chances”
One of the first games played saw Barnes Eagles take on Sutton United at Barn Elms Playing Field. The closest man to the action throughout the game was referee Stephen Worsley, and after the match the official took the view that 9v9 football can be a huge confidence-booster to its young players.
“One of the things I’ve hated when they make the jump from mini soccer to 11-a-side football is what happens to the goalkeeper,” said Stephen. “In full-size goals they just can’t reach the high shots or the ones in the corners. 9v9 football allows the ‘keepers to show their skills.”
Despite going down 6-0, Barnes Eagles’ Welfare Officer Judith Enright was full of praise for the new smaller sided game. She said: “The jump from 7-a-side to 11-a-side was just too big. The goals and pitch were enormous, while there were almost double the players on the pitch. It can be a big shock and they can’t really communicate on the pitch, but 9v9 football lets them get used to the larger game gradually.
Graham Ekins, chairman of the Surrey Youth League who watched the game, believes the initiative will help unearth some talented individuals, saying: “It’s all about getting it into proportion and we need to give kids time and space to play, not stuck between the posts Peter Schmeichel used to keep goal in. I’m sure we’ve got the next Cesc Fabregas or Xavi out there – they just need to be given the chance.”
In the build up to the launch Surrey County FA and the Surrey Youth League held consultations with team managers and local authorities, as well as securing funding to provide the goal posts through the following sources:
• Sport England Small Grants fund (£10,000)
• Surrey County FA Charter Standard League Development Fund (£1,500)
• Surrey County Playing Fields (£800)
Check out the photos from the Barnes Eagles v Sutton United game by visiting our Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/#!/SurreyCountyFA1
For further details on joining the Surrey Youth League contact Frank Thompson on frank.thompson@wsyl.org.uk or 07747764349
And for more information on 9v9 football, please contact Caroline McRoyall on caroline.mcroyall@surreyfa.com or 07917 392823