Ban on heading among primary school children welcomed by family of Jeff Astle
The family of football hero Jeff Astle have described a ban on heading the ball among primary school children as a "huge step" in the right direction.
Young children will no longer be able to head the ball during training sessions, under new rules being introduced by the Football Association (FA).
It follows pressure on the game's governing body to take action after a recent study found former footballers were three-and-a-half times more likely to die from brain disease than the general public.
The changes stated there would be no heading at all in the "foundation phase" - primary school children - and a graduated approach to heading in training in under-12s to under-16s football.
There will be no change in terms of heading in matches, taking into consideration the extremely limited number of headers which actually occur in youth matches.
West Bromwich Albion legend Jeff Astle died in 2002 of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) linked to heading footballs and his family are long-standing campaigners around the dangers of heading.
Daughter Dawn Astle welcomed the changes and said they were a sign the family were finally being heard after nearly two decades of campaigning.
She said: "It's a huge step. There's still lots to be done but they've put in these guidelines as a result of the FIELD study which showed in real terms there is a 350 per cent increase in getting neurodegenerative diseases. That really couldn't be ignored.
"When dad died they said they wanted more research before they did anything and now they've got it.
"We said they have to take early steps to avoid exposing children's brains to trauma. Preventing heading in training is a sensible step and is common sense.
"I'm pleased for the grassroots. They have got a responsibility for their players and I think they wanted clear guidance."
Ms Astle said she would like to see more action to limit heading among professional and amateur adult footballers.
She added: "It's a really important issue. It's about the health of the brain and once that's damaged there is no going back."
Amateur side Burntwood Dragons outlawed heading drills for players under 14 after the results of the FIELD study were published in October and chairman believes the new guidance from the DA is a sensible approach.
He said: "Under the age of 11 they don't really head the balls anyway, to be honest. We've given a clear instruction about heading in training, and the more guidelines the better.
"I don't think it's necessary (to head the ball at such a young age), it's not a big part of the game to make an issue of it.
"There is no point of doing it. If there is a one per cent chance, don't bother."
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: "This updated heading guidance 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."
