Kent Phoenix Kitted Team

Under 16s

Children (14-16 years old) play in the Under 16s Kitted Team. This is the first tier at which the Phoenix compete in BAFA National League competitions.

In 2023, we played in the Southern Conference – East Division. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough under 16s to enter the league in 2024 but we are still training and developing a squad that we hope will compete in future seasons.

Just like the younger age groups, games at this level are played 5 versus 5 and the field length and rules still reflect the Flag version rules of the game in some aspects to help ease the transition up through the age groups.

This is the children’s first experience of full contact, kitted football.  We use BAFCA and USA Football endorsed training schemes and contact systems to coach the ability to block and tackle with good technique. The level of physicality definitely takes a step up and the u16 team players are encouraged to develop confidence as they are gradually introduced into the full contact game.

Equipment requirements make a distinctive shift at this level. Full equipment is required and the Phoenix provide helmets and shoulder pads for all players. Players are expected to purchase their own lower pads and pants. As with the younger age groups, they will also need a gum shield, suitable footwear and plenty of water. You can find out more about kit requirements here.

In combination with our management of the pads and helmets required, we do all we can to ensure players are prepared safely for kitted football and you can find out more about how we manage safety, including the maintenance of kit, on our website here.

We train for three hours on Sunday mornings (09:45 till 13:00).

Between the ages of 14 and 16, children vary in the rate which they develop physically. Given that our priority is to ensure players are capable and happy playing contact football, we try to ensure they are not playing at a level higher than their size or ability allows. Player development and safety is the top priority. That may mean that some of the younger players train with the team but are ‘back-ups’ during the games.  They may see limited action in their first season, until their physical growth and skillset enables them to compete with older players on the other teams. There is a sense of serving an ‘apprenticeship’ where patience is needed until their body can cope with the physical demands.

We encourage the older players in the group to take a leadership role. Offensive and Defensive Captains are appointed to lead the whole u16 team in warm-ups and take a leadership role during games. We want them to show initiative and develop a sense of team-bonding. A big part of that is to offer encouragement and support to the younger players; both at training and in tournaments. For the younger ones, there is nothing like the feeling of a more senior team mate congratulating you or cheering you on.

As the children grow older, they can progress to our highest tier of competition with our u19 Kitted Squad, competing in the BAFA National Leagues.