A Whole Game Programme
• General recognition of the damage that poor behaviour was causing to the image and reputation of the game
• Crucially all the organisations in football ‘signed up’ – The FA, The Premier League, The Football League, the League Manager’s Association, the Professional Game Match Officials, the Professional Footballers Association
• The Premier League developed their own behavioural programme – ’Get on with the Game’
• The Football League ‘Enjoy the Game’ – focusing on reducing bad language in family areas
• Allowed Respect to be presented as a ‘Whole Game’ initiative - Essential for its ongoing credibility
What is RESPECT?
• Respect is a behavioural code for Football
• Respect is about recognising that the integrity of the game is more important than the result of the match
• Respect is about creating an understand of what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in Football
• Respect is about those involved taking responsibility for the consequences of their own actions
• Respect applies across all of football but its measures and messages may need to differ according to the various levels of the game
• Respect is about supporting match officials to do their job. Without them we don’t have a game
• Respect is not a slogan. It is a collective responsibility of those involved in football to create a fair, safe and enjoyable environment in which the game can take place.
TARGETS Set –
The aim of Respect is to deal with verbal and physical abuse:
• Towards referees
• By pushy parents & coaches towards children
• Supporting existing referees to stay in the game
• Recruiting more referees – 8000 in the next four years
• Creating fun and safe playing environments
• Educating people on what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour towards referees and youngsters
• Target within the FA’s Vision - Respect Programme improves overall disciplinary performance by 25% by 2012
And Finally –
• The Respect Programme is one of the most challenging projects the FA has set itself. Leicestershire & Rutland County FA has embraced it and one of its focus is to work with all the Respect Leagues in our County – 5 Senior Leagues and 8 Youth Leagues have so far signed up to the Programme and all will implement the key areas related to their specific needs
• It will take time, money and effort from all involved
• Some progress has already been noted in the Amateur, Professional and Semi Professional
• We have raised awareness rather than changed behaviour
• Poor practice and behaviours at any level damages the credibility of the whole programme
• Success requires bringing about long-term behavioural change
For further information on RESPECT please contact Marion Hayton, Respect Lead Officer at Leicestershire & Rutland CFA on 0784 366 4751 or email: marion.hayton@LeicestershireFA.com