The Mercian Festival Junior Football League has announced its plans for next season – 2008-09.

These include the introduction of 9-a-side football for Girls Under 13 and Under 14 age groups and a new approach to Under 8s Boys football, in line with a mandatory requirement from the Football Association for all players to have reached the age of 8 on 31st August 2008 if they are to play in competitive football next season.

Boys Mini Soccer Under 8s, 9s, 10s 11s and Girls' Mini Soccer Under 10s, 11s and 12s - 7 a side - will kick off at 10.30am on Saturday mornings.

Girls Under 13s and 14s will also take place on Saturday mornings, but as 9-a-side following recent discussions with representatives of girls' teams at a meeting held at the WFA Headquarters. The main objective of this change is to help make the transition to 11-a-side easier, both to assist the skill levels and also the number of players in a squad (maximum 18 for 9-a-side) and as a result, hopefully generate more teams. Girls Under 15s 11-a-side will complete the Saturday morning programme.

Sunday afternoons will accommodate Boys 11-a-side at Under 12s, 13s,14s, 15s and 16s, kicking off at 2.30pm.

‘Rolling substitutes’ are used at all levels, which should encourage player rotation by team coaches throughout each game and give all the squad players an opportunity to participate.

With the exception of Under 8s there will be the usual Knockout Cup Competitions for all age groups.

The situation with Under 8s teams this season has been altered because The Football Association has introduced the following mandatory ruling for season 2008-09: “To play in a knockout cup game or a game where points are awarded, or results collected, a player must have achieved the age of eight on or before the 31st August.”

This means as with all leagues across the country, there will not be a competitive league for Under 8s in season 2008-09. However the Mercian Festival Junior Football League management committee has agreed that they will be prepared to arrange a series of friendly fixtures for Under 8s teams with gaps for training, so these youngsters can develop their skills. Any team wanting to participate will have to register players in the normal way and most of the league rules will still apply. The league will then organise a “Fun Day” as it has for the past three seasons towards the end of the season for Under 8s teams to participate in. The registration fee for Under 8s teams will be reduced to just £15 per team.

The new Under 8s approach will offer a structured environment and most league rules will apply. The league hopes this will be seen as an opportunity for club officials to familiarise themselves with league rules and procedures as they plan ahead long term for competitive football. Clubs submitting applications for Under 8s teams that have already forwarded their registration fee, will receive a refund.

For further details and application forms please contact George Silverman on 01684 572704.