The new under-7s football structure in Cardiff has been described as a model of best practice by The Welsh Football Trust.
The new age group was piloted last season and has seen an increase in participation of over 50 per cent this season.
Previously, the youngest age group ran by the league was under-8s but due to the demand from junior clubs and the success of Sport Cardiff’s Primary School Programme to increase participation opportunities at this age , the under-7s was developed to form part of the Cardiff and District Association Football League.
The initiative has been coordinated by Sport Cardiff on behalf of the Cardiff and District Association Football League and follows new FAW four-a-side rules.
Last weekend, over 130 five and six-year-olds were present at the Cardiff and District League football festival and it is expected that over the coming months numbers will exceed 200.
Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells said: “An under-7s football league is a welcome addition to Cardiff’s already thriving provision. The efforts of the sport development team have paid off in developing a structure which has already proven hugely popular giving young children of primary school age the opportunity to compete.
“It is tremendous that their achievements have been recognised by The Welsh Football Trust as a model of best practice, showcasing Sport.Cardiff to the rest of Wales.”
The structure has been co-ordinated and led by the football development officer Rob Franklin at Sport.Cardiff, Cardiff Council’s sport development team. The next set of fixtures will be coordinated by the clubs starting with Lisvane Panthers.
For more information visit: http://www.sport-cardiff.com/
