Cumberland Football Association has been successfully shortlisted for the Positive Football Environment at the County FA Recognition Awards 2024 for our Behaviour-Consequence Ladder.

The Awards, which will be announced at Wembley Stadium connected by EE on Thursday 7 November 2024, recognise and endorse the best projects, products and services delivered by County FAs over the past season while sharing best practice and learnings from around the country.

Over 225 nominations have been entered from the 50 County FAs operating across England, highlighting exceptional delivery and showcasing how they are innovating to improve grassroots football and increase participation across all levels of the game. 

The twelve categories which will be recognised at the awards are: 

• Brand Engagement
• Coach Development
• Employee Wellbeing & Engagement
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
• Facility Development
• Football Development
• Partnership
• Positive Football Environment
• Referee Development
• Special recognition
• Women & Girls
• Youth Engagement

Cumberland FA has made the final shortlist for the Positive Football Environment for its Behaviour-Consequence Ladder, which was a collective approach between the CFA and the four youth leagues across the county, to work with the clubs and teams within these leagues to encourage them to meet and maintain expected standards of conduct at matches.   

All teams start at the top of the ladder and can move down and back up the ladder, dependent upon levels of behaviour. The ladder rewards the teams who create a positive environment, with regular draws for vouchers and a monthly certificate being sent to those team at the top of the ladder. At the same time there are consequences for teams who demonstrate undesirable or unacceptable behaviour. This is a staged approach which looks to support and recognise clubs that take responsibility in proactively addressing behaviour when needed, but ultimately if there are consistently poor levels of behaviour throughout the season then the team’s membership of the league will be reviewed.  

Ben Snowdon, Cumberland FA CEO and Positive Football Environment Lead Officer, said: 

"The initiative is based on a Traffic Light System from The Young Elizabethan League, which they use to monitor and improve standards of behaviour.

“The idea is that all teams start at the top of the ladder (Level 1 (Green)) and will hopefully stay there throughout the course of the season. However, teams can move down the ladder, dependent upon standards of behaviour and in particular the number of proven misconduct cases they have within The FA discipline system. 

“The related consequences look to recognise and rewards teams who consistently meet or expectations around positive behaviour, whilst working with clubs who have incidents of undesirable behaviours to ensure that appropriate actions are taken so that behaviour improves, and that team climbs back up the ladder.

“Ultimately The CFA and The Carlisle Glass Longhorn Youth League, The Penrith & District Junior Football League, The West Cumbria Youth League and the Cumberland FA Under 16s Women’s League have a shared commitment to use this initiative to try and ensure that football within the county is a positive and safe place in which to participate as a player, coach, referee, or spectator.”

The FA’s Head of Operations for Grassroots Football, Tim Foster added: 

“I’d like to congratulate Cumberland FA in making the final shortlist for the Positive Football Environment. We’ve had some outstanding submissions this year, once again highlighting the crucial role County FAs play in their local communities, ensuring accessible opportunities across all football formats and creating a fun and safe environment for all.

“We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our County FAs at Wembley Stadium in November and thanking everyone involved for their efforts across the season.”