The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has moved to standardise youth football in the country, with particular emphasis on the Under-13 and Under-12 levels.

A number of changes have been introduced to the preparatory and primary school competitions, which will take effect at the beginning of the respective seasons.

In a meeting held with representatives of the Jamaica Independent Schools' Association and the Institute of Sports, chairman of the JFF's technical committee, Howard McIntosh, outlined changes to the age-group competitions.

These changes, McIntosh said, came after careful consideration and information gathered from a number of studies worldwide.

better late than never

"We have started a process which is long overdue, but it is better late than never. Over the years, we have seen players who were brilliant at a young age but failed to make the transition to the senior level. Among the reasons for this are injuries, burnout and a general loss of interest because they were no longer enjoying the game," McIntosh said.

Among the changes are the dimensions of the playing area and the goals. Fields on which these youngsters play should now be approximately 70 per cent of the standard size of a normal football field. With football fields measuring from 110x70 yards, 120x80 yards to 100x50 yards, the committee issued a directive that the fields should range from 35-44 yards in width and 70-84 yards in length.

The dimensions for the goals should be six yards by six feet.

Girls are now allowed to participate in youth competitions alongside boys up to the Under-13 level.

Both the Under-13 and Under-12 competitions should be played with a size-four ball. A recommendation was also made that unlimited substitutions become a feature of these competitions.

enjoyment and learning

"At the Under-12 and Under-13 levels and younger, the emphasis should be on enjoyment and learning, not winning," observed McIntosh.

"We have seen situations where coaches would keep the same 11 on the field for a whole game, even while winning a game handsomely, while other youngsters just look on. It cannot be business as usual, but what we have outlined is just the start," he continued.

The decision to include girls, McIntosh said, was to aid in the development of female football as there are no competitions for females in the country at that age group.

The recommendation for unlimited substitutions was to make the game more useful and friendly to youngsters.