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FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT
 
 

DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR

RESPECT BARRIER OFFER

 
Youth football clubs whose leagues have signed-up to the Respect Programme in Essex can now take advantage of an extended deadline for purchasing Designated Spectator Area barriers at a discounted rate, with orders now being accepted until Friday 29th May to qualify for a fifty per cent reduction.

The Football Association and the Football Foundation have agreed to tie-in the deadline with this season's F.A. Cup Final at Wembley Stadium and Respect clubs wanting to purchase Designated Spectator Area barriers at a fifty per cent discount have until the 29th May to file their applications.

Respect has already surpassed first year expectations in the grassroots game, with over 560 leagues signing-up since the Programme's launch. Both England Under 21s Manager, Stuart Pearce and Premier League referee, Howard Webb, have expressed their support for the Designated Spectator Area barriers. "I learnt my football in the non-league game and I fully support the Respect measures being introduced to tackle abuse in grassroots football," said Pearce.

"Refereeing is a tough job at any level and refs deserve to be treated with respect by players, coaches and spectators. I'm sure leagues and clubs will want to sign-up for the Barriers to help improve behaviour and encourage people of all ages to get involved in refereeing," added Pearce, whose Under 21s side face Norway away in the Komplett.no Arena, Sandefjord on 27th March.

Webb is also in no doubt that the Respect Barriers will boost the grassroots game: "It's a positive step and ensures that players can play and referees can referee unhindered by outside influences. The barriers also give spectators a clearly defined area to offer support and to enjoy their experience of the game too."

Around a third of all affiliated Essex football leagues have so far signed-up to become Respect Leagues, with more expected to follow suit in the near future. Further information can be obtained from www.respectzone.com, which is also the home for details on how your club or league can obtain the Designated Spectator Barriers.
 
 

ESSEX COUNTY F.A. INITIATES

'RESPECT' PROGRAMME

 
Respect is the concept the Essex County F.A. is concentrating on during 2008/09 as the 'Respect' Programme is rolled out across the nation in a bid to improve standards of behaviour across the professional and grassroots game.

Equally, reducing the drop-out of referees and the number of abandoned matches are at the forefront of the initiative which aims to reintroduce the fun into children's football. Local registered leagues and clubs are being invited to voluntarily sign-up to Respect and to introduce the following steps into their matches and club management:

Step 1: Codes of conduct for players, referees, coaches and spectators which sets down basic principles that everyone must sign and adhere to.

Step 2: Designated Spectators' Areas defined by touchline barriers to keep spectators back from the pitch.

Step 3: Captains taking responsibility for their players and becoming the main point of contact for the referee.

Step 4: Referees managing the game and dealing with any open show of dissent.

Every League Secretary will receive a personal letter from F.A. Chief Executive Brian Barwick inviting them to sign-up to Respect and pledge to tackle unacceptable behaviour in football. Interested grassroots leagues in Essex will be asked to contact the Essex County F.A., who will support them to take on the above Respect practical steps this season.

On signing-up, each club will be provided with a Respect Toolkit consisting of guidance notes, codes of conduct, a Respect captain's armband and advice on obtaining spectator barriers at a special rate. Every referee appointed to those leagues will also be offered training under the guidance of county Referee Development Officers.

The Respect programme sits alongside a £2 million funding injection into dedicated staff across the country to support:

Referee Recruitment: Currently the numbers of qualified match officials is at an all-time low. However Essex is benefiting from two Referee Development Officers to help recruit new match officials and offer more support to active referees in the area.

Safeguarding Children: Essex County F.A. has received funding towards a County Welfare Officer who will be working across the County to ensure clubs are offering a safe and positive football environment for young people and vulnerable adults. It is mandatory this season for every youth league and club to appoint their own Welfare Officer. Welfare Officers will play a vital role in ensuring children can play in an enjoyable environment, with an emphasis on development rather than win-at-all-costs.

The Respect programme, which launches ahead of the first weekend of the new season, is a direct response to the key issues identified in the professional and grassroots game. Over 37,000 participants, including players, coaches, referees, volunteers and fans, were consulted by The F.A. when defining its vision for grassroots football - the 2008-12 F.A. National Game Strategy. Their feedback confirmed that parental pressure is one of the main reasons young players leave the game and that abusive behaviour results in over 7,000 referees quitting football each year.

Phil Sammons, Essex County F.A. Chief Executive, commented: "The Respect Programme is critical to helping us all work together to change the negative attitudes and unacceptable behaviour which threaten the future of football in Essex. This is a long-term commitment but, if we all play our part, together we can really make a difference."

More information on Respect and how leagues and clubs can become involved is available at www.TheFA.com/Respect.