'We Only Do Positive' respect campaign returns for the 2019/20 season
The campaign will be run by the Derbyshire FA throughout youth football across the county, with an emphasis on highlighting positive behavior, and educating parents and coaches on their vital roles in creating a fun, safe and inclusive environment for children to play football.
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, alongside players from England’s senior teams.
Jenny Blewitt, Designated Safeguarding Officer at the Derbyshire FA, said: "The Respect campaign is hugely important for us at the Derbyshire FA and across the country – particularly in youth football.
“Developing a positive environment for young people to play football in is crucial to the development of their skills, and campaigns like ‘We Only Do Positive’ have proven to be an effective tool in creating those environments.
“Our priority is always to ensure that young players can enjoy the game they love.”
In August, Codnor Boys FC were awarded with the Derbyshire FA’s ‘We Only Do Positive’ Respect Award at their annual Grassroots Football Awards, as a result of their excellent work in promoting the campaign
Philip Moss, Chairman of Codnor Boys FC, said: “Years and years ago, before the ‘Respect’ campaign, I remember sitting down at numerous disciplinary meetings because we had some issues that had to stop.
“The ‘Respect’ campaign acted as a great tool for us to help deal with that.”
For more information on The FA’s Respect campaign, please visit: //www.thefa.com/get-involved/respect