THE Pioneer Youth League is under pressure to introduce mixed teams for the first time at under-12, under-13 and under-14 levels next season.

The Sunday competition boasts around 170 teams across the eight to 16-year old age levels from the Torbay, South Hams and Teignbridge areas.

And, while mixed teams are accepted in seven-a-side games (mini-soccer level up the age of 11), a line has always been drawn once boys and girls move up to under-12 in age and into 11-a-side football.

That was until last week's annual meeting of the Pioneer Youth League when ten clubs - Stoke Gabriel, Foxhole United, Newton Town, Watts Blake Bearne, Modbury, Waldon Athletic. Ipplepen Athletic, Ugborough, Brixham United and Liverton United - suggested a change to the rules.

They feel it's time the league at least experimented with mixed teams up to under-14s. And they've succeeded in getting the league to pencil in another meeting before the start of the 2009/2010 season, by which time a statement on the subject will also have been submitted by Mark Young, the county FA's Women's and Girls' Football Development Officer.

The Herald Express understands the statement has already been prepared, but will remain 'in house' until cleared by the chairman of the Devon County FA's Women's and Girls' Committee.

"I certainly don't want to be quoted on anything at this stage," insisted Young.

The above listed clubs are not isolated in calling for a change to the mixed-team rules. Parents, notably Tony and Michelle Pritchard, from Newton Abbot, believe their 11-year old daughter, Lucy, should be allowed to play in an under-12 mixed team now that she has played her last game for Denbury Yellows.

"She's since switched to Watts Blake and Bearne under-12s, and will be devastated if she can't play in the same side as the boys," said Mr Pritchard.

"We'll feel the same as Lucy, because she scored 20 goals for Denbury last season and can handle herself when it comes to playing with and against the boys.

"All we can hope is that the league agrees to an experiment at the proposed age levels, even if it means some mixed sides having to play against all boys teams."

Commented newly elected Pioneer League chairman Keith Hawkins:

"There's not much to add at this stage other than the matter has been left open because of its ground-breaking implications for the Pioneer Youth League and Sunday youth football.

"The league has put out feelers now that ten clubs have shown an interest in mixed teams on leaving the mini-soccer section, and it's likely to be discussed again next week when there's a committee meeting.

"There could also be a fuller meeting after that, who knows? The problem is where to draw the limit, least of all when it comes to changing facilities.

"It could open a can of worms, though, in saying that, the role of the league is to organise football for young people. If mixed teams are what the majority want, then we shall have to look at ways of accommodating their wishes."