PLAYER PATHWAYS

This operates from ages 4-7 as part of the Stowupland Falcons FC set up. The focus for this age group is to develop their core football skills and overall knowledge of the game.

At 6 years of age the Club will be looking for up to four volunteers to manage and coach two teams going forwards into mini-soccer. These two teams will join the mini soccer group in the u8s season. Teams will generally be mixed ability with the squads being formed from players based on the length of time they have been with Saturday Morning Club (i.e. the longest attending will form the first squad). However, the Club reserves the ability to separate players based on ability where it is felt that this will assist the overall development of the players as a cohort. Putting players who are at a much earlier stage in their football development with very able players may not be in either’s best interests. Teams will be called by a colour (Yellow, Blue, Red) and will not be listed as A,B or C. Where numbers allow it is possible to form more than two squads for an upcoming season.

The squad(s) should ideally comprise 8 players and will be limited to a maximum of 10 players. They will play in either the Suffolk Youth League (Saturdays) or Ipswich and Suffolk Youth League (Sundays). Whilst we try to accommodate the wishes of parents/managers as to which league they enter, the Club reserves the right to require that a team is registered on a particular day to prevent pitch congestion. All players will have equal playing time over the course of a season, but this may be affected by injuries and/or the behaviour of individual players. Players will frequently play in different positions.

The squads should ideally comprise 10 players and will be limited to a maximum of 12 players and continue to play in the relevant youth league as for mini soccer. We will consider requests to switch leagues where there are insufficient teams taking part in that league and subject to pitch availability. All players continue to have equal playing time over the course of a season (though not necessarily in each individual game) and will regularly be rotated to different positions.

The squads should ideally comprise 12 players and will be limited to a maximum of 16 players. Depending on the ability of individual teams to continue to recruit additional players it may be necessary for the squads to merge to form a single team to enable them to field the required number of players. No player will be ‘released’ from the Club unless agreed between the Club and guardian provided they wish to continue representing the Club. Players will receive ‘fair’ playing time in this format of football, which may not be the same as equal playing time. However, ‘fair’ means at least 50% of the match duration averaged over the course of a season.

Squads should ideally comprise 16 players and will be limited to a maximum of 20 players. Whilst we expect that teams will continue to play in local leagues, we will continue to explore alternatives to be able to offer a more challenging standard of football (e.g. through JPL and EJA leagues) for more able players. That may mean offering alternative pathways and adjusting squads based on ability. Players will continue to get ‘fair’ playing time which means a minimum of 25% of the match duration averaged over the course of a season.

Players will continue to be evaluated throughout their time with the Club. At approximately 16 years of age, they will be assessed to see if they are strong enough to join any of the senior teams. Senior teams for men-only include A, Reserves and First team and ladies First team for female players. These teams compete in the SIL and SWGFL leagues.

For players who are not yet considered ready for adult football we aim to offer u18 football in the youth leagues.

This operates from ages 5-11 as part of the Stowupland Falcons FC set up and to meet the age requirements for the FA’s Weetabix Wildcats Programme (although girls usually start to play team football before they turn 11). The focus for this age group is to develop their core football skills and overall knowledge of the game. Girls aged 4-7 may prefer to play in the Mixed Saturday Morning Club sessions and are able to re-join the girls only section at a later stage if they would prefer to play in an all-girls team. Discussions between the Club and parents will occur regularly to ensure the right level of football is being offered.

At 9 years of age the Club will be looking for two volunteers to manage and coach a team going forwards into mini-soccer. This team will join the mini soccer group in the u10s season. At the present time squads are not streamed by ability but the Club reserves the right to vary the approach in the best interests of the players as a group. Teams will be called by a colour (Yellow, Blue, Red) and will not be listed as A,B or C. Where numbers allow, it is possible to form more than one squad for an upcoming season and the Club may decide at this stage to form teams around ability.

The squad(s) should ideally comprise 10 players and will be limited to a maximum of 12 players. Teams will play in the Suffolk Girls and Women’s League which plays their games on Sunday mornings. In normal circumstances all players will have equal playing time over the course of a season, but this may be affected by injuries and/or the behaviour of individual players. Players will frequently play in different positions.

The squads should ideally comprise 12 players and will be limited to a maximum of 14 players and continue to play in the relevant youth league as for mini soccer. The format of football may switch between 7 and 9-a-side as this depends on the number of teams in the league and the squad sizes of other teams. Players will receive ‘fair’ playing time in this format of football, which may not be the same as equal playing time. In normal circumstances this means at least 50% of the match duration averaged over the course of a season but note our previous comments.

The squads should ideally comprise 16 players and will be limited to a maximum of 20 players. Depending on the ability of individual teams to continue to recruit additional players it may be necessary for the squads to merge to form a single team to enable them to field the required number of players. No player will be ‘released’ from the Club unless agreed between the Club and guardian provided they wish to continue representing the Club. Players will continue to get ‘fair’ playing time which in normal circumstances means a minimum of 25% of the match duration averaged over the course of a season.

Players will continue to be evaluated throughout their time with the Club. At approximately 16 years of age (if not before), they will be assessed to see if they are strong enough to join any of the senior teams. Senior teams for women currently only comprise a First team though we are considering forming a Reserves team in addition. These teams compete in the SWGFL leagues.

For players who are not yet considered ready for adult football we aim to offer u18 football in the youth leagues where numbers permit. If we are unable to run an u18 team, then we will work with players and other local teams to offer further youth opportunities.