The Football Association selected 7 County FA’s to pilot the ‘Respect’ campaign. Cheshire County FA was one of the seven and piloted it during season 2007/8. The Lancashire & Cheshire and Eastham Junior Football Leagues were the two leagues which obliged in being ‘Guinea Pigs’ for the campaign. Such was the success nationally it then became a National Programme that commenced in Season 2008/9.
On average, 7,000 referees quit football every year because of the abuse they receive from players and from the sidelines. Lots of children also pack it in because of the attitude and actions of over-enthusiastic and pushy parents.
In response, The FA’s Respect programme provides a series of tools for leagues, clubs, coaches, Referees, players and parents from grassroots to elite football to ensure a safe, positive environment in which to enjoy the game.
These tools include ‘Agreed Codes of Conduct’, ‘In-service training for Referees’, ‘Respect’ League Sessions and ‘Spectator Barriers’ funded by the Football Foundation and ensuring that ‘Captains’ work with referees to manage player behaviour.
Cheshire County FA would like ALL affiliated leagues to adopt and support The FA’s ‘Respect’ programme.
If your Club or League have not yet ‘Come on Board’ please contact Cheshire County’s ‘Respect’ Lead Officer, Trevor Massey – 01606 871155 – trevor.massey@cheshirefa.com
‘Together we can make a difference’