New guidelines put in place by the Football Association mean that children aged 11 and under will no longer be taught to head footballs during training in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The updated heading guidance, which will be introduced immediately, will provide grassroots clubs, coaches and players with the recommended guidance for training sessions only, and does not make any changes to the way matches are played.

The guidelines have been brought in following university research that shows former players may be more at risk of developing brain injuries from heading footballs.

The updated heading guidance includes heading guidance in training for all age groups between under-six and under-18, no heading in training in the foundation phase (primary school children) and a graduated approach to heading training for children in the development phase between under-12 to under-16.

Despite the new guidelines there will be no changes to heading in matches, taking into consideration the limited numbers of headers in youth games.

The Football Association of Wales said its guidance for coaches on children heading the ball was currently under review with the findings being made available later this year.

FA chief executive officer 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.”

Speaking to the Ross Gazette, a Ross Juniors football club spokesperson said: “The decision is not unexpected, we were aware that the FA were looking into new heading guidelines.

“These new guidelines will obviously take some time to adapt to, but we find there is very little heading involved in our youngest age groups.

“It will affect older age groups more where heading the football is more common during matches but the players’ well-being especially at a young age must come first.”