BY the time children reach the age of 14, some have played so much football that they are sick of the sight of it.

There is a significant drop-off of players at that age, and junior football teams across the Tyne Valley are throwing their weight behind a new initiative from Northumberland FA (NFA) to have ‘black-out’ weekends throughout the season.

Piloting it throughout the 2017-2018 season, NFA, working with Northumberland County Council and local clubs, will prevent youth football being played on three weekends; October 21 and 22, February 17 and 18, and March 31 and April 1.

If successful, the plan would be to cap it at six weekends the following season, and beyond.

The scheme has already got the provisional backing of the majority of the eight junior leagues within the county, and it will be confirmed once leagues write the changes into the rule books.

Locally, there is the strong likelihood that this will apply to the Tynedale Mini Soccer League, the Pin Point Recruitment Junior Leagues for both boys and girls, and the North East Youth Development League.

Ian Skinner, NFA’s football development officer for youth football, is working with the county’s clubs, and is pleased with the positive feedback received.

He said: “The main reason for these proposals are to give children and parents a break throughout the season, implementing them around school holidays when teams have numerous players away.

“The foresight behind this is looking further down when the player reaches 14 and have been overused and overplaying. There is an alarming drop out at 14, because some teams nowadays train 52 weeks a year and are playing up to 50 weeks. With children playing football at the age of six now, they’ve played about 1,000 games of football and are simply sick of it.

“Everybody we have consulted around the idea has been very positive in their support, and I am confident at least seven of the eight youth leagues will adopt this.”

As well as keeping the children interested in the sport, the move has been introduced to try and alleviate pressure on coaches too.

The frequency of games is equally demanding on the adults, who then usually have to carry out coaching sessions and courses during the off-season.

However, the black-out weekends would present a great time to schedule courses.

Skinner said: “Rather than coaches having to do their renewals during the summer, they could do it throughout the season and that would allow them to enjoy a well deserved break with the children over the summer and come back refreshed for the next season.”

The proposals by NFA has secured the approval of West Youth Division secretary Wilton Holmes, who organises cup competitions for Tynedale youth teams from U10 to U16 level.

He said: “I think children at a young age play too much football any way, and these black-out weekends will be good for clubs.

“You are looking at children training during the week and then playing on Saturdays and Sundays, and that is too much for children, especially when they’re playing at six-years-old now.

“It’s all about getting them to enjoy football, and you don’t want them to fall out of love with the game by the time they hit 13 or 14.

“Some teams continue to train throughout the summer or play festivals, but I think all junior football should stop between the beginning of June and the end of July.”