Countries' Youth Football Systems

[WJM3]

Hi everyone

As a passionate youth coach (U10 & U6) I am frequently discussing ongoing changes in German youth football with others and whether we are heading the right direction.

One of the setups that has bothered me for quite a while, and it has been like this for decades, is the dual year grouping, i.e. we would combine 2 age groups into one tier. E.g. current 2017 & 2018 = G Youth, current 2015 & 2016 = F Youth, and so on

I have been promoting the idea of year specific groupings to no avail at our regional level and was wondering, how are other countries organizing this, particularly up to U10 level? I understand it is getting more difficult the older the kids get (drop outs, etc.)

Any insights with indication of the country and whether this is nationally or regionally organized would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

William

[Goku de la Boca]

21 minutes ago, WJM3 said:

Hi everyone

As a passionate youth coach (U10 & U6) I am frequently discussing ongoing changes in German youth football with others and whether we are heading the right direction.

One of the setups that has bothered me for quite a while, and it has been like this for decades, is the dual year grouping, i.e. we would combine 2 age groups into one tier. E.g. current 2017 & 2018 = G Youth, current 2015 & 2016 = F Youth, and so on

I have been promoting the idea of year specific groupings to no avail at our regional level and was wondering, how are other countries organizing this, particularly up to U10 level? I understand it is getting more difficult the older the kids get (drop outs, etc.)

Any insights with indication of the country and whether this is nationally or regionally organized would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

William

No idea about U10 level but here in Peru, a 2011 player can play in a 2010 game just fine, but they have their own competitions. This year it's 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

[Goku de la Boca]

@WJM3 I'll provide further insight as I work in youth football here in Peru albeit not as a coach.

Here the base cycle is until 12/13 years of age. Technically just 13, because the first "competitive" years in our cycle is U13. Of course, a player still in base usually being a year younger can play for Copa Federacion Oro (the top tier youth competition in Lima) if deemed good enough to compete with older players.

Copa Federacion Oro in Lima had U13, U14, U15, U16, U17 and U18. This coming year it will be the same except for U18 which will be replaced with "pre-reserva".

As for outside Lima, most regions have Copa Federativa and Copa Elite. The former is similar and has U13-U18, but Copa Elite outside the capital is more competitive and only has U13, U15 and U17 instead of 5 competitions. U13 and U15 play only 30 minute halves, where as in Lima only the U13's play 35 minute halves

The development in Peru is definitely flawed but I do think we aren't horrible as I've seen other countries that don't even have competitions.

Anyways I hope that helps a bit  

 

[WJM3]

26 minutes ago, Goku de la Boca said:

@WJM3 I'll provide further insight as I work in youth football here in Peru albeit not as a coach.

Here the base cycle is until 12/13 years of age. Technically just 13, because the first "competitive" years in our cycle is U13. Of course, a player still in base usually being a year younger can play for Copa Federacion Oro (the top tier youth competition in Lima) if deemed good enough to compete with older players.

Copa Federacion Oro in Lima had U13, U14, U15, U16, U17 and U18. This coming year it will be the same except for U18 which will be replaced with "pre-reserva".

As for outside Lima, most regions have Copa Federativa and Copa Elite. The former is similar and has U13-U18, but Copa Elite outside the capital is more competitive and only has U13, U15 and U17 instead of 5 competitions. U13 and U15 play only 30 minute halves, where as in Lima only the U13's play 35 minute halves

The development in Peru is definitely flawed but I do think we aren't horrible as I've seen other countries that don't even have competitions.

Anyways I hope that helps a bit  

 

Thanks! Yes, this is the kind of information I would like to collect from across Europe and the World.