I just saw this article (below) and most definitely thought of you!

Check out this AMAZING quote from the article: "The changes to the dimensions of the children's game are being accompanied by gradual efforts, which have not been resoundingly successful so far, to ease the ingrained determination to win in favour of developing skills and enjoying taking part."

So the English have concluded that small sided games are important for the development of their youth players (where have I heard that before?), and that youth sports should be focused on developing skills and having FUN (seems to me I read that somewhere many/many times!).

Have a great Holliday Season & 2013,
John A.

"FA votes for smaller-sided matches for young footballers"

• Children will not play full-sized matches until age of 13
• Smaller pitches, goals and fewer players all voted for 2014-15

Children will from 2014-15 play football in smaller teams, on smaller pitches and with smaller goals, following a landmark decision by the Football Association aimed at developing better skills. The amateur county football associations which control the FA rules voted by 679 to 99, an 87% yes, for mandatory changes from under-sevens to under-12s.

They follow consultations with young footballers and an exploration of how other European countries organise children's football development. The pronounced move towards small-sided games is aimed at developing skills, rather than rewarding basic physical strength, a philosophy advanced by the FA's director of football development, Sir Trevor Brooking, who admires Spain's passing game.

The changes will replace the current system, in which seven v seven is played up to under-10 level, after which, from under-11s on, children play 11-a-side on full-sized pitches. Nick Levett, the FA's national development manager for youth football, has described that as "barmy" and hailed the change as "a massive step forward for the future of children's football".

Phased in by 2014-15, football will begin with five-a-side for the under-sevens and under-eights, on smaller pitches with "appropriate size goals". The format will move up to seven v seven for the nines and 10s, and nine-a-side for the 11s and 12s. Only at under-13 level will full-sized 11-a-side games begin, still a year sooner than in Spain.

"We were not seeking to emulate one particular country but to look at the best things across Europe and try to develop a new model which is best for English football," Levett said. "The smaller versions of the game will enable more touches, dribbles, one-on-ones, more involvement and more enjoyment. Where children are enjoying the game more, they are getting better, so that runs hand in hand with development."