With the fantastic and historic win at the UEFA Women?s Euro 22 yesterday all eyes and conversation are on football. And no less more so than in the independent sector where radical changes have been made over the past few years to ensure that boys and girls benefit from the higher coaching standards and additional new formats of national and regional tournaments.
The glamour of World Cups, the Premiership, and the Olympic Games where there were both men?s and women?s competitions, will generate further interest in the sport, just as many prep schools are switching over to a structure that should mean that pupils will not only reach a higher standard of ability but also gain greater enjoyment from playing.
Increasing numbers of boys are on the books of Premier League Academies and Centres of Excellence, a first step to becoming a professional. As Steve Bates, deputy head of Elstree School in Berkshire, says: ?Boys do have ambitions ? and that is praiseworthy ? even if they do not always realise them.? Football for children under 11
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For many years, pupils at prep schools have taken part in 11-a-side games on large pitches, giving players less opportunity to have ?ball-time? and contrary to the regulations of the Football Association (FA). There has too often been an over-emphasis on winning matches, rather than developing the ability of individuals. Now, however, many prep schools are playing small-sided games. In 2012/13, a national...