As you may be aware the FA’s Respect campaign has been running for a couple of years now and focuses on both children and adults involved in the game.
The FA expects each Club to encourage everyone to get involved in activities to combat unacceptable behaviour in our game at every level – both on the pitch, and from the sidelines.
The main areas to be aware of and how to get involved no matter what your involvement is within the club are:
- Every Manager, Coach, Spectator/Parent/Carer and Player needs to read and sign the Respect Code of Conduct (see below). If your Manager hasn’t asked you to do this, please ask them as soon as you can.
- At the start of every game, the Manager will check their opponent’s teams registration cards. This will then be followed with the respect Handshake. Captains from each team are also encouraged to wear the Respect armband provided by the FA.
- There must be a designated spectator area, which will be marked with a barrier, either the FA respect barrier, cones, rope etc. ALL spectators must remain behind this line throughout the game. No one is to stand behind the goals or stand on the Managers/Coaches side.
- Managers must not be on the pitch or running up and down the touchline during the game. They should remain in a small technical area and direct their players from there.
- Parents must not shout abuse or show aggression or use abusive language at matches. Anyone who insists on doing this will be reported to the FA, as a match report is submitted at the end of every match. This will be challenged and the Club could face fines as a result of unacceptable behaviour from spectators as well as parents and managers.
Our Club is very keen to help to ensure your child has a safe, positive environment in which to play the game.
If you have questions, concerns or comments about the Respect Campaign or the Club, please do not hesitate to contact our Child Welfare Officer, Club Secretary or your Manager/Coach.