Against the English Football Association change of policy regarding U13 mixed sex teams

We believe in the FA Policy on Safeguarding Children, and in encouraging children of both sexes and all backgrounds to take part in sport.

We work hard to support this policy, as individuals, as members of the FA and coaches of our team. We work hard to build the team spirit and approach required to be a successful football team, but more than this, the experiences the whole team take away are life enhancing and socially beneficial.

Within a team like ours, where we deal with cultural and sexual diversity, this has created a team of well balanced individuals, who support each other, work hard for each other and together are greater than the sum of their parts.

Regardless of our childrens race, background or sex, we ensure that the full policy is adhered to. Building relationships with parents and carers and including all families in club activities is something we pride ourselves upon and to take an 11 year old out of an established structure and team seems cruel on the part of the FA, and we cannot understand the reasoning behind it. It seems to go against the principles of equality in children and inclusion and diversity in activities.

We agree and concede, absolutely that in the current environment, mixed football teams are not achievable beyond a certain level. We believe that 13 is a good age for the segregation to begin and having previously sought and been granted permission for our female player to continue with our team for another two seasons, until she is 13, (at her and her parents request, and the full support of the club, the other parents and kids), we are now faced with the possibility of brutally disappointing not only the individual concerned, but her parents and the entire team it may even be enough to break her relationship with football at a time when she is really discovering her role on the field and demonstrating skills which outmatch her opponents on an alarmingly regular basis.

We are not the only team in this position we are aware of a number of teams at a number of clubs now faced with a similar problem.

Surely a phased approach would be more sensible for those already in the system, to remove them from established teams could be potentially damaging to the individuals, teams and sport. Closing the door for new players in mixed teams, but allowing those already in place to see out their time whilst reviewing their options.

Our kids, as do most of those we play against, take their football, their team-mates and their training seriously, but are also prone to being easily upset and disappointed after all they are vulnerable but surely we need to consider all aspects of this policy revision which prevents these children from continuing, and certainly we believe there should have been an increase level of consultation with the staff and coaches who put the effort in to train, organise and manage these teams before sweeping changes were brought into effect.

With all of this in mind, we would like to ask, firstly for our specific case, dispensation to continue with our current team and inclusion of our female player until 13, and we would ask that the FA consider our letter on behalf of the other teams and players who will be very negatively impacted by this sudden, and disappointing, change in policy and approach.

We ask for your support in achieving this one-sided policy change.