Grassroots Footy

[boltonboris]

On my daughters grassroots team, they've got a mixed age. Some of them are first year of high school, some of them are last year of Primary school.

2 of the Year 7's are in ETC's (Emerging Talent Centres) at professional clubs. As they're now 11/12 they can get a 'contract' and have trialled with their ETC clubs' full academy team. At that point, they're no longer allowed to play Grassroots. It's really sad. I get the opportunity is marvellous, but they're completely removing any aspect of fun from the sport from young girls. I think it will have a negative impact on the Girls' game personally.

Next year, 3 of the Year 6 girls at ETC's will do the same. That's potentially 5 players from the team taken away by the academy system - Which I understand happens, but could break the team up. Again, ruining the experience of team sports for a lot of them

I think something needs to change with academy systems and their refusal to allow them to be coached by amateur coaches.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

On my daughters grassroots team, they've got a mixed age. Some of them are first year of high school, some of them are last year of Primary school.

2 of the Year 7's are in ETC's (Emerging Talent Centres) at professional clubs. As they're now 11/12 they can get a 'contract' and have trialled with their ETC clubs' full academy team. At that point, they're no longer allowed to play Grassroots. It's really sad. I get the opportunity is marvellous, but they're completely removing any aspect of fun from the sport from young girls. I think it will have a negative impact on the Girls' game personally.

Next year, 3 of the Year 6 girls at ETC's will do the same. That's potentially 5 players from the team taken away by the academy system - Which I understand happens, but could break the team up. Again, ruining the experience of team sports for a lot of them

I think something needs to change with academy systems and their refusal to allow them to be coached by amateur coaches.

The whole academy system and Elite Player Performance Plan etc is now irrevocably tilted in the favour of the biggest clubs. Under the guise of "what's best for the cream of our talent" etc, they hoover up as many possible financial assets as they can and then start the inevitable process of winnowing them down.

We had examples of both in our team. Couple of girls – our best players, obviously - got taken on and taken away by teams you'll have heard of. We picked up one girl who'd been spat out by another club (at, like, 14 or something) and helped to keep her in love with the game. But it's difficult.