Long-term participation
We want your child to continue playing football for as long as possible.
Sadly, from U10s onwards, there is a marked drop-off in the number of children playing grassroots football
Simply, more players leave the sport than join it.
Most notably, however, with each passing year football becomes an increasingly physical / aggressive sport and children become more aware of their ability levels relative to their team (i.e. social comparison theory).
Sadly, from U10s onwards, there is a marked drop-off in the number of children playing grassroots football
Simply, more players leave the sport than join it.
Most notably, however, with each passing year football becomes an increasingly physical / aggressive sport and children become more aware of their ability levels relative to their team (i.e. social comparison theory).
The drop-off
To put this into perspective, the league loses on average one division every season upto U16s.
i.e. 10-15 teams fold
or to put it another way, c150-250 children walk away from football every season
And that is just in our local league, the Central Warwickshire Youth Football League.
i.e. 10-15 teams fold
or to put it another way, c150-250 children walk away from football every season
And that is just in our local league, the Central Warwickshire Youth Football League.
Mixed ability teams
In a ‘mixed’ environment, the development of the more able players tends to tail off, and the less able players start to lose confidence.
In a ‘targeted’ environment, where more players are at the same ‘level’, players tend to develop collectively at a similar rate. Hence why it is vital for your child that they play with and against players of similar ability
In a ‘targeted’ environment, where more players are at the same ‘level’, players tend to develop collectively at a similar rate. Hence why it is vital for your child that they play with and against players of similar ability
2 x Kings Heath Sports FC teams
From the U10s season onwards, we will have two teams competing in the CYWFL every Sunday as normal.
The only difference being, that one team is a more competitive group and the other is more developmental.
The only difference being, that one team is a more competitive group and the other is more developmental.
Assessment Process
The assessment process happens during the U9s season where you will be given half-term updates as to how your child is progressing, what they are doing well and where improvement is needed.
The new teams will start competing from the U10s season and going forwards there will be opportunities to switch teams during the season.
Assessments and the ultimate decision will come down to the head coaches (and James, if they can’t agree!)
The new teams will start competing from the U10s season and going forwards there will be opportunities to switch teams during the season.
Assessments and the ultimate decision will come down to the head coaches (and James, if they can’t agree!)
Training
To minimise disruption to your child and your diaries, for the duration of the U9s season and beyond, both teams will train at the same place and time each week, and we’ll regularly mix up the groups and play inter-group friendlies.
Very quickly, the lads will get to know each other so moving between teams becomes less of a problem 🙂
