Hi guys, life long Dons fan and ex pat Aberdonian.  A nationwide petition has been started up to make the SFA introduce 9 a side football in Scotland.  At present we feel that the gap between 7s and 11s is too big for kids to make the transition, the English and Irish do it as well as many other Europan countries.  Many people want this so we need people to sign the petition to pu tthe pressure on the SFA.  We are on twiiter and facebook at timetoplay9s and the online petition is http://petitions24.com/timetoplay9s  This will really help kids stay in grassroots football, appreciate any help you can give and if you are able to spread the word that would be great

Hi guys, life long Dons fan and ex pat Aberdonian.  A nationwide petition has been started up to make the SFA introduce 9 a side football in Scotland.  At present we feel that the gap between 7s and 11s is too big for kids to make the transition, the English and Irish do it as well as many other Europan countries.  Many people want this so we need people to sign the petition to pu tthe pressure on the SFA.  We are on twiiter and facebook at timetoplay9s and the online petition is http://petitions24.com/timetoplay9s  This will really help kids stay in grassroots football, appreciate any help you can give and if you are able to spread the word that would be great

 

Nice one, I currently coach a kids team and we're about to go to 11s. We've played a few friendlies to get the boys used to it but the jump is too much - full size goals and pitches just isn't conducive to "fun" and there should be that middle ground, even if it was just for one  or two seasons.

I currently coach under 9's in englandshire. Next season is our last at 7-a-side and the following we go 9-a-side for a minimum of under 11 and under 12. Even from the point of view of the pitches and goals being slightly smaller than 11-a-side, the 9-a-side transition allows the players to grow into the full game much better than a straight transition from 7's. The guy who coaches with me has another team at (current) under 12. He has the option, next season (under 13), to play 9 or 11-a-side. The idea being it makes the transition that bit smoother again.

 

I wish we had the option mate but sadly we don't, and many people in Scotland want it too, we went to a tournament in England recently and the kids loved the format.  Would appreciate it if you were able to spread the word on our petition, cheers