IFA7 Kids Football 7

Developing the Next Generation Through Football 7

IFA7 Kids is the youth-development platform of the International Football Association (IFA7).

The program supports age-appropriate Football 7 opportunities that help children develop technical ability, confidence, teamwork, discipline and a lifelong connection with the game.

IFA7 encourages authorized member associations, clubs, leagues, academies, coaches and communities to create safe and inclusive environments in which young players can learn and enjoy Football 7.

Our Youth-Development Philosophy

Children develop at different rates and have different physical, emotional, social and sporting needs.

Youth Football 7 should place development, enjoyment and participant welfare ahead of excessive competitive pressure.

IFA7 Kids promotes:

Enjoyment of the game
Age-appropriate player development
Frequent involvement with the ball
Technical learning
Creativity and decision-making
Teamwork and communication
Respect for teammates and opponents
Safe and positive coaching
Equal opportunity to participate
Healthy and responsible competition

Winning can be an important part of sport, but it should not come at the expense of player welfare or long-term development.

Why Football 7 for Young Players?

Football 7 provides a development environment in which players can experience more direct involvement than in larger-sided formats.

Potential benefits include:

More touches on the ball
More passing and receiving opportunities
More decisions during play
Greater involvement in attacking and defending
Increased confidence
Simplified tactical learning
More shooting and scoring opportunities
Development of multiple positions
Improved communication
A faster and more engaging game

The format can be adapted according to player age, ability, field size and local development objectives.

Player Development

IFA7 Kids programs should help players develop across several areas.

Technical Development

Players should be encouraged to improve:

Ball control
Passing
Receiving
Dribbling
Shooting
Turning
Movement with and without the ball
Basic defending
Goalkeeping fundamentals

Tactical Understanding

Age-appropriate tactical learning may include:

Creating space
Supporting teammates
Basic attacking principles
Basic defensive principles
Transition between attack and defence
Positional awareness
Team communication
Decision-making

Physical Development

Activities should support:

Coordination
Balance
Agility
Speed
Appropriate endurance
Movement confidence
Injury prevention

Training loads and competition demands must remain suitable for the participants’ ages and stages of development.

Personal and Social Development

Football 7 can also help young players develop:

Confidence
Responsibility
Resilience
Leadership
Cooperation
Respect
Problem-solving
Positive communication
Appreciation of diversity

Age-Appropriate Programs

IFA7 Kids activities may be organized in age groups appropriate to local participation and competition needs.

Programs may include:

Introductory Football 7
Recreational leagues
Development academies
School competitions
Club competitions
Regional festivals
National youth championships
International invitational events
Player-identification activities
Coach and referee development

The final age divisions and competition formats must be appropriate for the applicable territory and authorized event.

Age categories should not be advertised as official IFA7 divisions unless they have been formally approved.

Youth Competitions

IFA7 supports youth competition when it forms part of a responsible player-development environment.

Authorized competitions should provide:

Clear age and eligibility requirements
Appropriate field and match formats
Qualified coaches and officials
Safe facilities
Reasonable scheduling
Medical and emergency procedures
Positive sideline conduct
Fair playing opportunities
Transparent fees
Appropriate awards and recognition

Youth competitions must not expose children to unreasonable physical, emotional or financial pressure.

International Youth Opportunities

IFA7 may develop or authorize international youth Football 7 activities, including:

International club tournaments
National youth competitions
Development festivals
Cultural-exchange events
Training camps
Coach-education programs
Referee-development programs
Invitational competitions

International participation is subject to written IFA7 approval and all applicable safeguarding, travel, immigration and competition requirements.

An invitation or expression of interest does not guarantee acceptance.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

The safety and welfare of children must be the first priority in every IFA7 Kids activity.

Authorized organizers are expected to implement appropriate safeguards addressing:

Screening of coaches and volunteers
Appropriate adult conduct
Supervision
Harassment and abuse prevention
Anti-bullying measures
Medical and emergency procedures
Safe transportation
Appropriate changing-room practices
Digital communication
Photography and video
Reporting concerns
Compliance with local child-protection laws

No sporting objective is more important than a child’s safety.

Coaches and Team Officials

Youth coaches have a responsibility to create positive, respectful and development-focused environments.

Coaches should:

Use age-appropriate activities
Communicate respectfully
Provide constructive feedback
Avoid humiliation or intimidation
Encourage creativity
Give players meaningful participation
Follow safeguarding requirements
Maintain professional boundaries
Support healthy competition
Place long-term development ahead of short-term results

An IFA7 name, logo or program reference must not be used to advertise coaching certification unless that certification has been formally authorized.

Parents and Guardians

Parents and guardians play an important role in a child’s sporting experience.

IFA7 encourages families to:

Support effort and learning
Respect coaches and officials
Avoid excessive pressure
Promote attendance and commitment
Communicate concerns appropriately
Follow sideline-conduct standards
Protect children’s privacy
Verify organizers and payment recipients
Ensure that travel and registration information is accurate
Help maintain a positive environment

Youth Referee Development

Youth Football 7 can provide an accessible environment for developing new referees.

Authorized programs may include:

Introductory officiating
Laws-of-the-Game education
Practical mentorship
Supervised match experience
Communication development
Match-management training
Progression toward higher competition levels

Referee courses may be presented as official IFA7 programs only when authorized in writing.

Inclusion and Accessibility

IFA7 Kids should welcome players from different communities, cultures and levels of experience.

Programs should seek to reduce inappropriate barriers to participation and promote:

Respect
Non-discrimination
Equal opportunity
Cultural inclusion
Appropriate accommodation
Community accessibility
Positive participation for girls
Safe participation for all eligible children

Registration and Personal Information

Organizations collecting information from children must use appropriate privacy and security practices.

Information may include:

Player name
Date of birth
Parent or guardian details
Emergency contacts
Medical information
Identification documents
Travel information
Photographs and video

Personal information should be collected only when necessary, stored securely and accessed only by authorized individuals.

Consent requirements must comply with applicable laws.

International Travel

International youth travel requires careful planning and written authorization.

Requirements may include:

Parent or guardian consent
Passport and visa documentation
Travel insurance
Medical information
Designated chaperones
Supervision plans
Emergency procedures
Accommodation controls
Safe transportation
Competition eligibility
Compliance with local laws

Families should not make travel purchases until participation has been formally confirmed.

Authorized IFA7 Kids Programs

An organization may present a youth activity as an official IFA7 Kids program only when it holds current written authorization.

Authorization may specify:

Territory
Program type
Age divisions
Effective period
Competition rights
Branding rights
Registration requirements
Reporting obligations
Applicable fees
Safeguarding standards

Authorization is not transferable and may be suspended or withdrawn.

Intellectual Property

The following are protected IFA7 institutional and program properties:

IFA7
International Football Association
IFA7 Kids
IFA7 Kids Football 7
Official program logos
Youth-competition identities
Coaching and development materials
Regulations and publications
Promotional graphics
Photographs and audiovisual content

No person or organization may register, reproduce, modify, commercialize, sublicense or distribute these properties without prior written authorization.

Authorization to operate a program does not transfer ownership of IFA7 intellectual property.

Verify a Program

Before registering a child, making a payment or submitting identification, families should verify:

The organizer’s legal identity
Current IFA7 authorization
Program location
Coach and staff credentials
Safeguarding procedures
Registration fees
Refund terms
Insurance
Travel requirements
Official contact information

The presence of an IFA7 logo on a poster or social-media page does not independently confirm authorization.

Develop an IFA7 Kids Program

IFA7 welcomes serious proposals from:

Official member associations
Youth leagues
Clubs and academies
Schools
Municipalities
Community organizations
Qualified coaches
Competition hosts
Sponsors and development partners

Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate organizational capacity, qualified leadership, safeguarding procedures, appropriate facilities and a sustainable development plan.

Submitting a proposal does not grant authorization or permission to use IFA7 intellectual property.

Contact

Questions concerning youth development, competition authorization, safeguarding or program verification should be submitted through IFA7’s official website.

International Football Association (IFA7)
International Headquarters
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Official Website: www.ifa7.com

IFA7 Kids