PORTISHEAD youngsters could be playing football on pitches to match their size next season.

Gordano Sports Centre has been awarded funding as part of The Football Association’s Youth Football goal posts initiative, which was launched in 2012 in partnership with the Football Foundation, the country’s largest sports charity.

The grant will allow the centre to buy goal posts of different sizes, meaning young players will be able to play matches with those relative to their age and size.

According to the Football Foundation, it is believed that teaching beginners on smaller pitches with smaller goal posts and then increasing the size as the players get older will help develop more technically-gifted English players.

Research has also shown the game is more enjoyable for youngsters on smaller pitches as they receive more touches of the ball and the game is less likely to be dominated by larger, more physical players.

Gordano Sports Centre will start next season with three mini pitches, two bigger pitches and five full-size pitches to facilitate junior football in the area.

A spokesman for the centre said: “With so many teams in the North Somerset area we are delighted to be able to add further football pitches to our fields and help increase the quality of football for all ages through our facilities.”