There have been many consultations, (tough) discussions, extensive research and surveys over the past few months, but after careful consideration the KNHB has made a decision on the introduction of 9 v 9. Starting next season 25/26, O12 (formerly D youth) will officially be split into two year layers. The freshmen (O11) will play 9 versus 9 on a three-quarter field, the sophomores (O12) will play 11 versus 11 field hockey on a full field. In the upcoming season, clubs that are already in the process of teaming up can still register their O11 teams for the O12 category to play 11 against 11.
The KNHB is convinced that the introduction of 9 against 9 for O11 “creates the best conditions and preconditions for both the development and enjoyment of children playing. The combination of a smaller field and fewer players leads to more game engagement and ball contact for all players. The league points out that the league form 9 against 9 on three-quarter fields also “offers a more gradual build-up to 11 against 11 and matches the current 3 against 3 (O8), 6 against 6 (O9) and 8 against 8 (O10) build-ups.
That young girls and boys have more ball contact at 9 against 9 on a three-quarter pitch (one of the goals is on the 23-meter line) has already been seen weekly this season at several clubs throughout the Netherlands. Clubs were given the opportunity by the field hockey federation last year to opt for the nine-on-nine in O12 youth as a trial.
Criticism
Many participating clubs in recent months have been clamoring for the official introduction of nine-on-nine for O12. But there was also criticism. Especially from some of the larger (full) clubs, who point out that they already have trouble enough to get the field and team allocation right. Fewer players in a team creates even more teams, causing insurmountable problems with the division, they argue.
The KNHB investigated this and found that about twenty clubs in the Netherlands have (and sometimes already had) capacity issues with the introduction of 9 against 9 for the entire O12 category. Because of the split into year layers, few (additional) problems occur, according to the field hockey association.
A smaller field with more ball contacts. That’s one reason why nine against nine makes for more fun play.
Splitting the O12 category into two year layers could lead to additional challenges at smaller clubs and sparsely populated areas. There, clubs sometimes struggle to field full teams. That could get worse with the splitting of O12 into two year layers and the introduction of nine-on-nine in this way.
Should this come into play at clubs, the KNHB has decided that 12-year-olds can simply play at nine against nine O11. Individual dispensation requests will no longer be necessary from season 25/26.
‘Communication about nine against nine could have been better.’ KNHB
Communication
The field hockey association has explained its decision extensively on knhb.nl. This was also necessary, the association acknowledges, because “its communication during the entire research and implementation process of recent years could have been better. For clubs that nevertheless still have questions or comments, question hours are held throughout the country by the field hockey association.
by Hockey.nl
