Can girls play down a year?

Question

Hi All, 
 I coach a current U6 dev/friendly team for my local village. My son plays for them and they are currently all boys as are the current U7s. 
 The teams will split next season with the U6 becoming the U7s/dev team and the U7&rsquo;s (all boys) moving up to U8 in the league format. 
 Two girls in year 2 have recently shown an interest in joining us for training. They are current U7 age, so eligible for U8 next season but they are physically smaller than the boys and have barely kicked a ball. Their parents believe it would be better for them to join what are currently the U6&rsquo;s and become the U7s next season to allow them time to develop and get into the game. I am keen to work with them but was wondering if there are any rules that prevent girls playing down a year? 
 If they have to play for the U8s next season I feel they will just walk away from the game. Does the FA allow for this? 
 
 Any advice would be gratefully received

James Hartley · Answer

Hi Christian, 
 I took my question to our club secretary who asked around for me, it sounds like it's a no unfortunately. 
 An all girls team are allowed to play a year down in the mixed league 
 An individual girl has to play in her own age group for girls or mixed, or can go a year up as normal. 
 It would be nice to have a clear understanding somewhere and also this to be considered in a rule change as I think it's a big issue for getting girls comfortable and confident, especially if they start their football career a bit later 
 Hope that helps, but not the answer we wanted unfortunately

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Can girls play down a year?