CUMBERLAND FA CONTINUES SUPPORT FOR RESPECT ACROSS YOUTH FOOTBALL
Cumberland FA will continue to spread a positive message of Respect across youth football throughout the 2019/20 season and beyond.
The ‘We Only Do Positive’ campaign – part of The FA’s wider Respect initiative – will return for the beginning of the youth football season following a successful 2018/19 season helping to create a positive environment for players on- and off the pitch.
The campaign aims to highlight the importance of positive behaviour on and off the pitch for young footballers, educating parents and coaches on their role in creating a fun, safe and inclusive environment for children to play the game.
Results from last season showed increased awareness of the Respect initiative amongst all grassroots participants and, in particular, within youth football, with widespread positive feedback from over 200,000 coaches and club officials and 86% saying fixtures are now being played in a positive environment.
The FA’s wider Respect initiative launched in the 2008 after a build-up of behavioural problems in the National Game. Other recent campaigns include 21 Days of Positivity, which was taken up by thousands of coaches across the country and supported by England Manager Gareth Southgate and players across England’s senior teams.
James Reid, Lead Respect Officer for Cumberland FA commented "The Respect campaign is important for Cumberland FA and across the country – particularly in youth football. Positive encouragement is crucial in giving young people confidence and enabling them to develop their skills in a fun and safe environment. The priority remains on ensuring young players can flourish and enjoy the game they love. We want our young players to play in an environment that enables them to play with smiles on their faces. The entry level work we are doing with the youth leagues across the September is about sharing key messages from the campaign to support a positive environment for all to play."
More information on The FA’s Respect campaign
Cumberland FA are currently travelling around the County with the #RespectRoadshow visiting each Youth League to support the new age group players and parents ahead of their first season in affiliated football.
The aim of the events are to provide key information about what parents can expect for their sons and daughters playing Under 7 and Under 8 football and how they can support the young player through their footballing journey. The key messages of the 'We Only Do Positive' Respect campaign are also shared while the players enjoy some festival football in a fun and safe environment.
This season we are once again providing the new intake of parents with 'Thermos Mugs' to support them on the sidelines, whether it's at training or on match day. We have teamed up with Cumbria Police to spread the #UnitedAgainstAbuse message
Last week 23 teams from the West Cumbria Youth League took part in the #RespectRoadshow and we're looking forward to joining teams from the Carlisle Glass Longhorn Youth Football League this Sunday. The following Sunday we head to Penrith to support the new players in the Penrith & District Junior Football League.
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