English FA catches up with New Zealand

Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA's director of football development, has long been a fan of the Spanish game. Photograph: Adam Davy/Empics Sport

The English Football Association overnight had a new structure for Junior Football approved which falls in line with New Zealand's 'whole of football" playing formats and philosophy.

​This landmark decision by the Football Association means that children will, from 2014-15, play football in smaller teams, on smaller pitches and with smaller goals, which will be aimed at developing better skills. 

The amateur county football associations which control the FA rules voted by 679 to 99, an 87% yes, for mandatory changes from under-sevens to under-12s.