We’ve joined forces with Northumberland County FA to promote their 100% Positive message across the season – encouraging Respect and positive behaviour in the grassroots game.

Utilita Energy’s ‘Grassroots Fund’ – which is administered by TeamGrassroots each month – has funded the creation and distribution of thousands of cards, signage and respect marshal bibs which will be distributed to local clubs. It’s hoped that they’ll provide a visible reminder to players, coaches and spectators about the importance of positivity.

Teamgrassroots represents the grassroots community and offers support, resources and advocacy on behalf the millions of people that play the game or support the game. They offer a comprehensive knowledge base to assist anyone who has a part to play in making grassroots football the wonderful institution that it is.

Teamgrassroots Paul Kirton said:

“The Respect campaign has been very effective in reminding players that without a referee, there is no game. The regular reminders are necessary, as passionate players can sometimes be quick to forget, so these packs will go a long way in spreading the message and making sure we all remember to respect the referee’s decision each and every game.”

Helen Beales, Head of Business Development at Northumberland FA added:

“Our on-going 100% Positive campaign has really promoted the importance of good behaviour across the grassroots game, and we’re delighted to be partnering with Teamgrassroots to promote the message even further. Look out for the cards, signage and marshal bibs coming to your team soon.”

James Heyes, Partnerships Manager at Utilita Energy comments on the important investment:

“Our long-term investment in football, from grassroots to the Premier League, has become ever more important today – the sport needs as much support as it can get to recover from the devastating effects caused by the pandemic.

“Respect, not only for the ref, but for everyone who makes the effort to muck-in is so important – it’s what motivates volunteers to continue. Utilita’s State of Play report revealed that two in every five parents help their kids’ club in some way (41%) – whether that’s coaching, refereeing matches, on the touchline, ferrying kids to matches, washing kits, or making tea in the clubhouse – football exists through community involvement.”

Contact Northumberland County FA for further details

‘Ste’, who has Spina Bifida, is 50 years old and a player and coach for FC PHAB in Liverpool. Over the last two decades, he has coached over 500 local players with disabilities despite Ste’s own challenges.

Ste said: “I have always had a passion for football and in particular Disability Football. I’m a Liverpool fan and I have been going to home matches since I can remember.

“I’m disabled and my condition is Spina Bifida. I have been involved with Disability Football for 21 years.

“I have played for Everton, Walton FC, Tranmere and Liverpool FC Foundation Ability Counts teams.

“I have been a coach since 2001 and have got FA level 1 and 2 badges plus Coaching Disabled Footballers Award.

“I have volunteered for Greenbank Sports Academy, Liverpool County FA, LFC Foundation and PHAB Liverpool.

“I have coached FC PHAB since 2015 and it’s an honour to work and play with my fellow coaches and players and thanks to Phil Peel, Steve Sullivan, Mark Horlick, Sophie Coyne and Terri Ritchie for their support over the years.

“We play in the Merseyside Day Centre league and play in tournaments and friendlies in Merseyside.

“I always tell my players before each game to enjoy the match, respect the opposition players and the officials.

“Thank you very much to The FA and Nationwide for this fantastic award – I am overjoyed.”

The Nationwide Mutual Respect Award, as part of The Football Association’s Respect Campaign, aims to help make grassroots football more respectful and positive. The brand-new award recognises outstanding contributions, achievements and behaviour in grassroots football across the country by young players, coaches, teams, parents and referees.

The Nationwide Mutual Respect Award panel said: “We are delighted Ste has won this prestigious accolade for his tireless work promoting respect as a player and coach in disability football. Ste not only receives a trophy and the accolade of being the Nationwide Mutual Respect Award winner but also wins tickets to a forthcoming England game.

“Huge congratulations to Ste and his constant reinforcement of Nationwide’s mutual respect values in grassroots football.”

Nationwide’s target is to engage with one million parents and coaches in the FA Respect Campaign as a part of their three-year partnership. This is a paid partnership from Nationwide Building Society.

The Nationwide Mutual Respect Award, as part of The Football Association’s Respect Campaign, aims to help make grassroots football more respectful and positive. The brand-new award recognises outstanding contributions, achievements and behaviour in grassroots football across the country by young players, coaches, teams, parents and referees.

The Nationwide Mutual Respect Award panel said: “We are delighted to give this prestigious accolade to Ray.

“Ray not only receives a trophy and the accolade of being the Nationwide Mutual Respect Award winner but also wins tickets to a forthcoming England game.

“Huge congratulations to Ray and his constant reinforcement of mutual respect values in grassroots football. Ray is doing so much great work with young people in his East London area through the power of positive football.”

Ray commented: “I coach four teams at Chigwell FC, a FA Charter Standard Club, playing in the Echo League.

“I see ‘Respect’ as a vital issue in football and I try to support it in everything we do.

“As a coach, I see the children as ‘people’ not just players. Their development does not lie within the bounds of a one-hour match, or a season, but way beyond in lessons that can help them throughout their lives.

“When The FA made the decision to remove league points from the Foundation Stage, it enabled the focus of children’s football to be about development.

“I see the pitch as a classroom, a place where learning should be supported. When I referee our U9 & U10 games, I usually do it without a whistle and encourage the players to help me.

“Before the game I ask the players, would you rather play for one minute and win or one hour and lose?

“Invariably they respond with playing for one hour and lose. The focus then becomes about ‘playing’ being the most important thing.

“At the start of the match, we do not toss a coin, as my players will offer the kick-off to our opponents because they are our guests.

“When the ball goes out of play on the touchline, I just ask whose ball is it? And the children will say it’s the opposition ball. I then praise them for being honest.

“When the ball goes out of play on the goal line, I will ask the goalkeeper if it’s a corner or a goal kick and they usually state the truth and again I praise them.

“From the start of the game I try to learn and remember the names of the opposition players and when praise is deserved, I praise them by name, for being honest or after good play.

“I try to encourage parents not to shout out instructions to the players. As the pitch is a ‘classroom’, the players have to make their own decisions. Parents would not shout out the answers in a classroom at school.

“One may ask why Respect is important? I would say, you need to respect both your teammates and opposition. Without your teammates, you have no team. Without the opposition you have no game.”

Nominations are now open on Nationwide’s Facebook page for the May monthly award and anyone over 18 can nominate their ‘Grassroots Respect Hero’.

To nominate a player under the age of 18, a coach, team, parent or referee – who has made an outstanding contribution to the game or their community – go to: Nationwide‘s Facebook page: HERE

The nominator must be over the age of 18. The nomination window closes 11:59pm on 21st May 2021.

Nationwide’s target is to engage with one million parents and coaches in the FA Respect Campaign as a part of their three-year partnership.

This is a Paid partnership with Nationwide Building Society

The Nationwide Mutual Respect Award, as part of The Football Association’s Respect Campaign, aims to help make grassroots football more respectful and positive. The brand-new award recognises outstanding contributions, achievements and behaviour in grassroots football across the country by young players under the age of 18, coaches, teams, parents and referees.

The Nationwide Mutual Respect Award panel added: “We are thrilled to give this prestigious accolade to Liv. During lockdown Liv has been doing weekly zoom calls with her U8’s team to help keep them engaged, motivated and give them a focus during lockdown.

“As a female coach, Liv has conversations with her team about how boys and girls can play football together and that her players need to treat any girls with the same respect like they would normally if it was a boys team. Her team plays against an all-girls team in their league so it’s great to see the team listening to Liv’s words of advice about inclusion and respect towards all other children.

“Liv not only receives a trophy and the accolade of being the Nationwide Mutual Respect Award winner but also wins tickets to a forthcoming England game.

“Congratulations Liv for winning the Nationwide Mutual Respect Award for March – but more importantly – thank you for everything you do in your community and for the help that you give to young people in your area through the power of positive football.”

Nationwide’s target is to engage with one million parents and coaches in the FA Respect Campaign as a part of their three-year partnership.

Paid for by Nationwide Building Society

Nationwide Building Society Mutual Respect Awards, as part of The Football Association’s Respect Campaign, aims to help make grassroots football more respectful and positive.  The brand-new award recognises outstanding contributions, achievements and behaviour in grassroots football across the country by young players under the age of 18, coaches, teams, parents and referees.

Chris Hull, Ambassador for the Nationwide Mutual Respect Award, said: “Tina runs a local club in Portsmouth called ‘Victory Hants’ which is a diverse community group for disabled people plus many others who are finding life hard and challenging.

“Tina and her group provide football sessions for the young players and those of all ages on a weekly basis.  During the pandemic, she has been keeping the sessions going online with activity, games and constant engagement.  However, that is barely half of Tina’s story as she and her willing band of volunteers have turned to helping those in need in the local community with free food packages and support in these recent trying times.  Helping the community is at the centre of Tina’s life and she thoroughly deserves this recognition.”

Tina, 57, said: “We are very proud of the work of ‘Victory Hants’. It is a diverse, active community involvement organization based in Portsmouth and offers inclusive football and activity for anyone aged 14 and over.  Our participants have a previous history of homelessness, mental health issues, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, long-term unemployment or have suffered social isolation.  The purpose of the group is to break down barriers within the community with the help of football for our participants.

“In recent times ‘Victory Hants’ has diversified our services to accommodate the current Covid 19 pandemic. Since March 2020, we have provided free food to those with special requirements, provided school age children in Portsmouth with a daily lunch and access to learning resources including pre-loved, re-cycled laptops and learning devices.

“Victory Hants CIC has also provided emergency food parcels to those who have found themselves being made redundant or on extended furlough.

“We have over 150 members who we have kept occupied and engaged during the pandemic via our online media support service including games, quizzes and inclusive exercise classes to help maintain our members’ and families’ fitness during the lockdowns.

“I have the support of 12 volunteers and I am delighted that Nationwide feels the efforts are worthy of recognition with their Mutual Respect Award and look hugely forward to my visit to Wembley to watch England play. What an incredible treat.  Thank you.”

Tina not only receives a trophy and the accolade of being the Nationwide Mutual Respect Award winner but also wins tickets to an upcoming England game once fans are allowed back into stadiums.

Nominations are now open on Nationwide’s Facebook page for the March monthly award and anyone over 18 can nominate their ‘grassroots respect hero’.

To nominate a player under the age of 18, a coach, team, parent or referee for the March award – someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the game or their community – go to: Nationwide Building Society’s Facebook page:  HERE

The nominator must be over the age of 18.  The nomination window closes 11.59 on 21st March 2021.

Nationwide’s target is to engage with one million parents and coaches in the FA Respect Campaign as a part of their three-year partnership.

Paid for by Nationwide Building Society

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A recent survey conducted by The FA and Nielsen found 88% of over 1,000 grassroots participants cite parents as a driver of disrespect in grassroots football.

To have an impact on this off-pitch behaviour, The FA has launched the Pledge of Positivity, encouraging those on the side-lines to support all players involved and respect referees, coaches and other spectators. The Pledge is based on The FA’s RESPECT behavioural code of conduct which seeks to improve behavioural standards in football.

England captains Steph Houghton and Harry Kane are the first two people to make the Pledge of Positivity, encouraging others to follow suit at www.TheFA.com/Pledge  

The two skippers also penned a joint letter to parents and spectators, which was painted into the touchlines at their childhood clubs; Harry Kane’s Ridgeway Rovers, Essex and Steph Houghton’s Boldon Girls, South Shields.

The letter highlights the importance of positive support and the role it played in their own footballing development, from the grassroots game all the way to Wembley. To watch the full launch video involving Houghton and Kane, click here.

England men’s captain Harry Kane, a father of two, said: “As parents and spectators, it is our job to make sure that children enjoy playing football. The pitch should be a place of support and encouragement. Youngsters should never feel pressure or intimidation from the side-lines, so I’m delighted to add my name to the Pledge of Positivity and I’d like to encourage as many people as possible to do the same.”

Lionesses captain Steph Houghton added: “Positivity is essential in football. It’s important to create an environment where everyone enjoys playing. There are small things you can do on the touchline – like applauding good play from both teams – that has a big impact on young players.”

The FA’s Chief Executive, Mark Bullingham said, “Having coached grass roots football for the last five years, I’ve seen first-hand the huge impact that parents on the side-lines can have on players from both a positive and negative point of view.  It’s no surprise that kids play better in a positive environment and our research has confirmed this impacts 90% of players.  It’s crucial that we create an atmosphere where players are encouraged rather than abused, for their enjoyment of football as well as their mental health.  I urge others to join me in making this pledge and showing their support for kids’ football.”

The FA’s Respect campaign was re launched ahead of the 18/19 season [having been originally launched in the 2008-09 season] with a new mantra of ‘We Only Do Positive’. As a result, The FA has seen positivity in grass roots football rise with 88% of tracked U12-U18s matches being played in a positive environment, a 2% increase from the previous season. The FA hope that the Pledge of Positivity will ensure that number continues to rise.

Make your pledge at HERE

But what do you think?

Last year we launched 21 Days of Positivity with the aim of sharing positive hints, tips and challenges with youth coaches across the country. Almost 4,000 coaches took part & this year we have even more positive practices to share that will put the We Only Do Positive mantra into practice.

Sign up to receive 21 Days of Positivity through six emails covering training and matchdays. All content is created by our coaching experts in The FA Education team. Every coach that completes the 21 days will receive one hour towards their Continued Professional Development and be in with a chance to win a Respect pack (T&Cs apply).

SIGN UP NOW

Why 21 Days?

21 days is the time it takes to form a habit & the ideal amount of time to understand you, your club and begin to find the best methods to use for your coaching style.

For three weeks from the 20th January, there will be a mixture of information, hints, tips and suggested actions to take to strengthen your relationship within your teams and help create a long-lasting positive environment for them to continue to enjoy the game for many years to come.

This is also perfect opportunity to get parents more involved in the game, teaching them how to adapt their behaviour and help create a more positive environment on the touch line for their children.

We want everyone to get back the core reason we all play, coach and watch football – the love of the game. If this is something you feel as passionately about as we do, then sign up to take part today!

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What did last year’s coaches learn?

The response from coaches about the difference the tips made to them has been brilliant. Here are a few things they said:

“I have found this has reinforced my desire to make coaching fun and reduce the pressure and stress for both me and the players.”

“We now celebrate players and their achievements. Our players aren’t influenced by score lines.”

“We get parents to play a bigger part in creating a positive environment. They’ve enjoyed being included within the sessions and it really helps the team.”“I’m now more aware about giving players space to think and play without me stepping in too much.”

“I have reconnected with my love of the game and am focused less on winning now.”

“After 21 days, getting the parents away from the attitude of let’s thrash them to let’s play good football.”

On top of that every coach that completes the full 21 days will receive one hour towards their Continued Professional Development and be entered into a draw to win a Respect pack that includes a host of physical respect branded assets for parents and coaches (full list in our T&Cs).

Registration is open 13 December 2019 – 17 Jan 2020. So if this is something you feel as passionately about as we do then be sure to sign up now!

SIGN UP NOW

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