Summer football goal for children

Published on Friday 14 March 2008 09:21

MUDDY pitches, freezing conditions and last-minute cancellations have always been a feature of children's club football.

But now Lothian youngsters are to be the first in Scotland to play throughout the summer after football bosses succeeded in having the season moved.

Children under 12 will now play matches from March to November, with indoor games taking place in January and February.

It follows a two-year campaign by the Scottish Football Association to move the children's season away from the traditional August-to-April period.

The move, to be implemented throughout the Lothians and in the Borders, was welcomed today by coaches as a positive way to encourage more children to get involved in the sport.

Michael Sharp, the SFA's south east regional manager, said it was a "better learning environment" for children aged seven to 12 when the weather was less severe.

He added: "We will also get more volunteers for coaching because it will be more appealing for them in better weather.

"More children do get involved in the better weather and it's a better environment for children.

"This way you can pretty much guarantee that the games will go ahead."

Mr Sharp believes the next step is introducing the change into the PE calendar in schools – although he admits it will face opposition.

He said: "It's very hard to change attitudes and a lot of people think it would be too difficult to implement in schools.

"But we believe there's no reason why schools shouldn't make this change, certainly at primary level. Secondary is more of a challenge but I think it can be done."

Les Trotter, assistant secretary of Hutchison Vale FC, is a huge supporter of the football season change for youngsters.

Mr Trotter, an organiser of Unite the Clubs – a campaign group set up to fight against "Third World" sports facilities in the city – said: "Without a doubt, it's much better for the kids.

"You can't have youngsters playing in all weather because they have got to enjoy it.

"If you want to encourage them to play football, you have to keep them interested and this is the way to do it."

Edinburgh City Council has also welcomed the new season.

The city's sports leader, Deidre Brock, said: "We are pleased to have been able to work with the SFA and Edinburgh Leisure to make this change to the season.

"Playing in warm weather with pitches in top condition every week is bound to appeal to young footballers so I think we'll see many more kids taking up the sport.

"We're also investing heavily in facilities so we will see many benefits in the new season."