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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Paul O'Hehir

FAI will monitor effect of new heading guidelines for kids in UK

The FAI will monitor the effect of new heading guidelines for kids in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Children aged 11 and under will no longer be taught to head footballs in training - but they can do in matches.

Deputy FAI boss Niall Quinn said today: “We’re in communication with the football authorities in the UK and with UEFA on this issue.

“The health and safety of our schoolboys and schoolgirls is paramount and we note the decision taken in Northern Ireland, Scotland and England.

“Our underage players already play with a lighter ball depending on their age and we will continue to assess developments across Europe on an ongoing basis.”

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: "This updated heading guidelines is an evolution of our current guidelines and will help coaches and teachers to reduce and remove repetitive and unnecessary heading from youth football.

"Our research has shown that heading is rare in youth football matches, so this guidance is a responsible development to our grassroots coaching without impacting the enjoyment that children of all ages take from playing the game."

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