Implementing Respect at our Club A Guide

Setting the scene Respect was developed to promote positive behaviours from everyone involved with children’s football Its all about making football a safe and enjoyable experience for children so they can develop their knowledge and skills – from under7’s through to under18’s Respect is everyone’s responsibility What do we know about Respect? – everyone to complete the Respect questionnaire – individually or in small groups for review later no-one wants to see or hear poor behaviour either on the pitch or from the touchlines as it affects the atmosphere the game is played in and can lead to players and/or referees quitting the game It is important to remember that only through being allowed to play and experiment will young players of today be able to become skilled adult players, coaches, welfare officers, secretaries etc of tomorrow– with the right understanding of what is and what is not acceptable behaviour. They will also then be very well placed to educate the new generation of young players and parents. Respect is everyone’s responsibility so we all have a responsibility to make it work – all clubs need to have an understanding of Respect to make it work The Respect questionnaire will only take 10 minutes maximum to complete – do this in small groups of 3-4 – you can review your answers with me later

What does Respect Programme cover There are four main strands: Codes of Conduct Manage the match-day environment The Captain takes responsibility The Referee manages the game We can look at these areas in more detail now

Let’s deal with the latter three first Manage the match-day environment Touchline barriers No shouting by spectators unless to praise/encourage Captain takes responsibility Only captain speaks to referee Captain keeps team-mates in order Age related issue Referee manages the game Referee must be allowed to make decisions and run the game without ongoing comments from players, officials or spectators ‘Managing the matchday environment’ involves the use of touchline barriers or having chalk lines or cones 2metres away from the touchline (wherever possible) to help stop people straying on to the field of play. It also involves spectators and officials not shouting abuse but acknowledging and applauding good play.   Clearly the age of a captain will affect what is expected of him or her and the club will bear this in mind. We must allow the referee to get on with the game unhindered and given that many referees are young and still learning we have to understand this and not heckle or shout abuse. We have to treat referees with respect for they have come forward for training in that role and have therefore shown their mettle and love of the game by doing so. We will therefore not behave in a way to undermine them as many quit the game because of touchline behaviour and this is not acceptable at this club.

What are Codes of Conduct? These are standards set through Respect for the behaviours of those involved in children’s football and cover: Players – both youth and adult Coaches/Team Managers/Club Officials Spectators and Parents/Carers Match Officials Each Code of Conduct describes what is expected from each individual and what can happen if the Code is breached The Respect Codes of Conduct that we use provides everyone with clear expectations of their behaviour as well as sanctions that may follow should a code be breached The Code of Conduct for Adult Players relates to players aged 16+ years and includes all players in both youth and open age football; whereas the Code of Conduct for Young Players is for all players aged 15 years and under

Club expectations Everyone must sign-up to their respective Respect Code of Conduct Everyone must adhere to the Codes of Conduct Breaches of any code will be dealt with by the club This may involve being brought before the Club Committee This may involve the imposition of sanctions Serious or continued breaches may result in a person being asked to leave the Club

However! Club Committee want everyone to enjoy their experience at the club We all therefore have a part to play in achieving this – such as being encouraging as opposed to criticising and allowing the Referee to manage the game We all make mistakes - as do Referee’s -and there is no game without them! We must be particularly tolerant of young Referee’s who are just starting their Refereeing career so that they remain in the game The club have a DVD called ‘Parents and Carers’ which is available for loan/we can see this now The content of the DVD is both ‘entertaining’ yet focussed – and provides a scenario that I’m sure we have all experienced or had related to us, over the years. It is a scenario this club does not want to see hence the importance of everyone at the club doing what is expected and what is right.

Spectators/parents The club welcome parents/spectators at training and matches We expect touchline behaviour to be positive and encouraging Don’t encroach onto the field of play Applaud and recognise good play – from both teams Encourage your child(ren) to play fair and show respect to the other team Let the coach/manager do any talking – they have been trained for their roles Parents/carers are also spectators and they have a vital role to play in promoting a positive experience for the players at training and matches. We do not want parents shouting and gesticulating either at players or referees - or anyone else for that matter – though we do want you to acknowledge and applaud good play. Leave any tactics, substitutions etc to the coach/manager – as this is their role and they must be allowed to get on with it without having others roundabout shouting and confusing the message being given to the players.

Who do I contact if I’m concerned? At our club you can contact any Official to register and discuss any concern you have The Welfare Officer is your prime contact as this person has had specific training for this role Poor Practice will be dealt with by the Club; Child Protection matters will be dealt with by DCFA and the statutory agencies – linking back to the club Contact names and contact numbers of Officials at this club will be provided at the end of this session If no-one can be contacted and your concern is serious eg a child being harmed, contact the Police or local Children’s Services – then make sure you also let a Club Official and the DCFA County Welfare Officer know at the earliest point The content of this slide is relatively clear..................

Review your Respect Questionnaire Have your answers changed at all? If yes, update your sheets Let’s run through the answers and discuss Thank you! and Lets all enjoy the football!! At the beginning of this session you completed a Respect questionnaire – now will you review your answers - in the same groups and we’ll go through the answers together