Respect Campaign

Football Association Respect Campaign   All the Coaches in the League (300 plus people) recently attended a meeting run by the League, the main focus being on the Respect campaign.    Why you might ask?   The key reason is that over 7000 referees dropped out of the game last year leaving the number of match officials at its lowest ever level.   98% of referees have been verbally abused and 27% have been physically abused.   846 grassroots matches were abandoned last year due to unacceptable behaviour from players and or spectators.   Parents and coaches want role models in the elite game to provide a positive example for young players.   The number 2 priority from grassroots football is tackling the "pushy parent" placing too much pressure on their child and their childs team (generally because they are living their life through the child).   What is being done about this?   The Coaches are being asked to take responsibility, we have been sent information packs and attended the above mentioned event.   The designated spectators area has been introduced, research has shown that spectators and parents taking a step back encourages support in a more responsible way.   The signing on forms this season gave the required behaviour, e.g. never engage in or tolerate, offensive insulting or abusive language or behaviour.   What do I require from you?   Our track record in the Sportsmanship Award speaks for itself, we have been setting the standard for other teams since we began. However that doesn't mean we shouldn't raise the bar even higher.   I don't want any comments to the referee (this includes Mark and I), I know it is always good natured but it might not be taken like that by a young lad starting out as a Ref, therefore cut out any comments completely and we are in no danger of  upsetting the ref.   Could you all self police this, I'm generally not standing with you all, if anyone makes a comment to the ref point it out to them.   Don't tell the boys what to do, let them make there own decisions, Mark and I will pick up on learning points.   Remember, Children play for fun    I do want you to:   Applaud good play of both teams   Applaud the efforts of the boys after they have done a tackle, shot, header, chased back etc, e.g. after they have made a decision and done their best, e.g. lots of Well Dones.   We don't want to play in silence, its all about appluading effort and good play as well as success.   In summary if all clubs were like us there would be no need for a Respect Campaign, however lets lead by example as we have already been doing so our boys and the opponents enjoy the game.   Rob