We Only Do Positive
To kick off the 2018/19 youth football season, The FA has announced a renewed focus on the Respect campaign as it enters its ten year anniversary.
Originally launched in the 2008/09 season, the campaign’s new mantra of ‘We Only Do Positive’ aims to improve behaviour on touchlines across the country by raising awareness of Respect amongst a new generation of parents, coaches, volunteers and players.
The campaign follows extensive research carried out during the 2017/18 season to understand the effect of negative behaviour at football matches from Under 7s to Under 18s level more clearly, focusing on where Respect interventions would be most effective.
‘We Only Do Positive’ is The FA’s new strategic approach to emphasise the role of parents and coaches whilst highlighting the importance of positive behaviours and environments – both on and off the pitch – for young footballers involved in mini-soccer and youth football.
The FA’s Respect campaign aims to educate parents and coaches on their roles in creating a fun, safe and inclusive environment for players to ensure the campaign is embraced throughout the age groups and result in sustained participation from players and volunteers alike.
“The renewed focus of the Respect campaign is one that will truly resonate within grassroots football up and down the country,” said Ashley Gumbrell, Football Services Manager and the lead of the Respect campaign at Surrey FA. “We’ve all had bad days, whether it is as players, coaches or even volunteers, and the power of positivity is often integral in ensuring we try again – no more so than at youth level.”
“We’ve already seen ground-breaking actions here in Surrey with the use of Pitch Marshalls by the Surrey Youth League, and we encourage the rest of our clubs and leagues to take up the mantle and demonstrate that they are on the forefront of making a lasting positive impact in youth football.”
