How are age groups worked out, and can players play up or down?

Question

Accepted Answer

FAW age groups follow the school academic year (1 September to 31 August). Academic Year 1 is the year in which a child turns 6. So a player's age group is their age on 31 August of the season plus one. For example, a child aged 8 on 31 August plays Under 9 (Year 4). Small-sided football is for Academic Years 1 to 8 (Under 6 to Under 13). It is the only form of football the FAW recognises for under-13s in Wales. An age group must cover one or at most two academic years. A small-sided player may play one age group up, even if that means a bigger format. Playing down one year needs permission each year under FAW Rule 88, approved by the area association. Clubs running single-age teams can't normally move a whole team up. That needs a written request to the league secretary and area association secretary. Mixed football (boys and girls together) is allowed from Year 1 to Year 12. Girls, and junior girls' teams from Under 12 to Under 17, can ask to play up to two years down in a boys or mixed team or league. This is approved case by case. From Under 8 to Under 11, a player can play for both a grassroots club and an FAW licensed academy. The grassroots club holds the registration on COMET.