• Competitive and rewarding of loyalty;
• Friendly and inclusive to its community;
• Plays creative, attractive, passing football;
• Develops players to a good standard;
• Prioritises the spirit of the game above winning.

SQUADS

At the start of each season, players will be allocated into two or more squads – depending on numbers. Each squad will consist of a maximum of 10 players, and our decision will be based on the following factors:

• Current ability
• Physical confidence
• Positional intelligence/movement
• Attitude
• Awareness of football rules
• Ability to follow instructions

Children develop at vastly different rates, and therefore squads will constantly be evaluated in order to ensure the players are in the squad best suited to their ability. Players can move up or down at any point in the season.

In line with FA best practice, coaches will match squads up against opposition squads of similar ability where possible. In the event of an opposition club only having enough players for one match, players will be invited to make up a single squad on a first-come first-served basis.

If, in the opinion of the coaches, a player does not yet have sufficient confidence or ability to safely take part in competitive matches, or is regularly late and/or does not attend sufficient Soccer Schools, they will become a ‘training player’.

The player will still be encouraged to attend Soccer School to further their development but will not be considered for matches until the coaches believe they have reached the required standard for competitive games and that it is in their best interests. Parents can also request that their child becomes a training player if they wish.

PLAYING TIME

All players who attend a match should be given at least 15 minutes playing time in line with FA recommendations and coaches will always endeavour to achieve this. Coaches will also have a pre-planned matchday rota in which all substitutions are planned in advance (though in the event of player no-shows, injuries or other unforeseen factors, this may change).

Goalkeepers
There is an incorrect perception that young players selected to play in goal are not deemed good enough to play outfield. This is not the view of the U7s coaches. Any player selected to play in goal has been judged to have the necessary ability to do so. Please react positively if your child is selected to play in goal, encourage them, and do not create the impression that goalkeeper is an inferior position.

ATTENDANCE/PUNCTUALITY/BEHAVIOR

Players are required to maintain an attendance record of at least 75% in order to maintain their eligibility for matches (illness and other unforeseen circumstances will naturally be taken into consideration). Players must also arrive punctually for both training and matches in order to keep their place in a squad. A player who regularly turns up late will disrupt sessions for the other players and will inhibit their own development.

Finally, any player whose behaviour is deemed to be disruptive during training or at matches will not be considered for a squad place, or may be removed from a squad.

NEW PLAYERS

New players are always welcome to join the training group, but there will be a period of evaluation before the player is eligible to join a matchday squad. Once the player has attended a minimum of six training sessions (with a 75% or better attendance record), he or she will be considered for a place in a matchday squad if, in the opinion of the coaches, they meet the necessary requirements.