Sweeping changes are afoot for junior football in the region.

Pitch battle: York City groundsman Bryan Horner forks the sodden Bootham Crescent pitch, but the battle against the elements proved in vain as the game against Blackpool was called off for the second time in six weeks due to waterlogging

From next season, 'mini-soccer' will become mandatory in all schools and leagues for children under the age of ten.

The new scheme, launched by England caretaker manager Kevin Keegan, is part of FA technical director Howard Wilkinson's plans to revolutionise the coaching of football in England.

The idea behind mini-soccer, which has been used on the continent for many years, is that smaller pitches and fewer players in each game allows children to understand and enjoy the game more.

The belief is that the next generation of David Beckhams and Michael Owens will gain more touches of the ball and therefore feel more involved while improving their skill.

From September, games featuring under-tens must be seven-a-side, played on pitches measuring 60 x 40 yards and with 12ft x 6ft goals.

The initiative is being backed by Coca-Cola and the FA is committing more than £4.5m to facilities and equipment over the next three years.

All county football associations, including the North Riding, now have working groups, including representatives of schools football, planning the implementation of the new mini-soccer programme.

It is believed the long term plan of the FA is to eventually see mini-soccer mandatory for children up to the age of 16.

Next Monday, York and District FA are hosting a meeting to discuss mini-soccer with league and club secretaries.

The meeting will take place in the main hall of York RI, Queen Street, starting at 7.30pm.

"All clubs have been circulated about the meeting and I would hope Mitchell League and Minor League clubs will be represented," said York FA secretary Dave Morrill. "It is in their interests. They can find out what the county FA are talking about, how they want to implement it and what the financial aspects will be."

Senior clubs without a minor league team are also being urged to attend as it could concern their club in the future.

Len Scott, an official with the North Riding County FA will chair the meeting, with representatives from the York FA and City of York Council's leisure services team.

The North Riding, through Scott and his committee, have compiled a report on the scheme which will be explained at the meeting followed by a question and answer session.

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