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9 Players in U7 team

Chris Mooney

We started out as a div 3 side and had 8 players for the start of our season for 5v5 at U7's, and recently been promoted to div 2. My son is of a good/higher ability in the side and we do have a good mix/balance. Recently, we recruited another player due to losing our first few games in the promoted division, and was offered a kid from another of the clubs team in a below division and are now at 9 kids. The coaches have now moved on to a rota system and it means my son each week is playing only 20 mins of football. I stated my point when we were told that this is limiting his total game time in a season by 50% of whats available as well as every other kid on the team. At the moment we are the only team in the league with 9, most teams have 7 kids and we now have this rota running for this season and going into next years season. My son likes his time, but I do personally believe it is limiting his development and other kids as a player to improve by the amount of game time the kids are now getting. I appreciate any advice.

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    Hi Chris,

    Thank you for  sharing your thoughts. I understand your concerns and the passion you have for your son’s development in football. It’s clear you’re committed to supporting his growth and ensuring he has a positive experience with the sport, which is fantastic.

    The club’s approach to balancing development and playing time is very similar to most grassroots clubs grounded based around core philosophies that aim to provide a fair and enriching experience for all players.

    The primary focus of clubs/coaches is on long-term player development rather than prioritising immediate wins or results. This involves nurturing skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship across all levels of ability. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to play and improve, regardless of their current skill level.

    The decision to adopt a rota system will stem from the principle of fairness and inclusion. By rotating players and ensuring equal game time, we allow every child the chance to learn, grow, and feel valued as part of the team. While this may mean that some players, including your son, see a reduction in minutes , it also prevents others from being left behind in their development.

    A squad of 9 is fairly consistent across this age group and in my experience essential to to ensure player availability due to injuries or other commitments. It’s worth noting this will also help with the transition to 7 a side at U9.

    It’s also important to remember that development isn’t solely tied to game time. Training sessions, and opportunities to mentor or challenge teammates in practice also play a critical role in a player’s growth. We encourage players to focus on these aspects to supplement their development on match days.

    In my club costs also play a part. To keep football accessible to  as many families as possible, we strive to minimise costs. This includes relying on a limited number of volunteer coaches, and also having a balanced squad size providing enough income to cover the cost without it being too high.

    Every child is unique, and some may require additional support to meet their specific goals. If you feel that your son’s development is being significantly impacted, you could explore extra training opportunities in addition to the club activities.