Moray football 4s and Elgin Soccer 7s combined forces to fall into line with the new Scottish Football Association Player Pathway and long-term player development plan.

The player pathway encourages leagues to play 4v4 games for Primary 3, 4 & 5, 7v7 games for primary 6 & 7 and 11v11 for 13s upwards. Elgin and District Primary school aged children will now participate in 4-a-side games (ages 6 - 8) and 7-a-side games (ages 9 - 12).

The 4v4 game encourages more touches of the ball, more attacking situations & chances to score, more simplistic game for the children and improves confidence.

Elgin Soccer 7s secretary Dave Adam said “Elgin & District Soccer 7s Association are pleased to announce their merger with Moray 4s for the start of the new football season. This venture will enable children in the District to follow the new National Player Pathway that starts with small-sided games and grows with the child”. 
 
Moray 4s secretary John Hubbard said “Moray Football 4s Association is very pleased to amalgamate with the EDSSA. It is satisfying to see one of Morays most prominent primary age football development organisation moving to the 4v4 format for the younger children. The festival style of games is stress free for coaches and fully engaging for all players. MF4A would like to thank all those who have supported us over the years and would like to encourage a new group of parents and coaches to get involved in this re-launched initiative”.
 
Moray Council football development co-ordinator, Arthur Jack, is delighted that both organisations have join up to fit in with the player pathway. He said: "Both associations have been doing a fantastic job developing football in the area. It now makes sense to pull the resources together to drive the game forward at an early age”.

The new season will kick-off on Tuesday 26 April 2011 with the traditional 7-a-side game for the older children and the younger children will start with the new 4-a-side format on Thursday 28 April 2011. A parents/coaches evening to explain the new format is currently being planned for the end of March 2011. Further details will be publicised nearer the date.

All primary schools in the District will shortly receive details of how the forthcoming season’s 7s and 4s set-up will work. Please register your child’s interest with your school football representative.