04/06/2026
Caythorpe U6s took part in their first-ever matches under the new 3v3 format last weekend, with both Caythorpe and Gonerby fielding squads of 12 players. The morning consisted of four 10-minute games, with teams rotating throughout to ensure every child had plenty of opportunities to play and develop.
A special mention goes to Caythorpe’s first-ever all-girls team, who performed brilliantly across all four matches. They showed great determination, enthusiasm and teamwork, competing valiantly against their opponents and growing in confidence as the games progressed.
With the village side still in the early stages of development, four of the players were playing a year above their age group, while eight of the squad were making their footballing debut. Despite their inexperience, every player embraced the challenge and showed fantastic effort from the first whistle to the last.
The new 3v3 format provided plenty of touches on the ball and opportunities for the children to learn. As the games went on, the coaches could see improvements in positioning, decision-making and confidence in possession. Players became more willing to dribble, pass to teammates and get involved in all aspects of the game, with some lovely passages of football on display.
Most importantly, the matches offered a valuable learning experience. The children began to understand the importance of finding space, working together as a team and recovering quickly when possession was lost. There is still plenty to work on in training, but these first matches gave the coaches lots of positives to build on for the future.
Above all, the players had a fantastic time. Their enjoyment was clear to see throughout the morning and, once the final games had finished, the overwhelming request from the squad was simple – they wanted to do it all again! The little superstars gave everything they had and should be extremely proud of their efforts.This version keeps the positive, grassroots-club feel while highlighting player development and the benefits of the new 3v3 format.