Surrey FA Supports the FA's First National Silent Support Weekend
All grassroots clubs and leagues are encouraged to sign up and play their part in the National Silent Support Weekend to promote respect across youth football.
Surrey FA is supporting The Football Association’s [The FA] first National Silent Support Weekend to promote good behaviour on touchlines across grassroots youth football.
The landmark National Silent Support Weekend will be introduced over 5-6 November 2022 to encourage spectators and coaches to show their support during the match through applause only.
The aim is to reduce pressure on youth players at grassroots level and give them a better opportunity and environment to find their own voice, improve their on-pitch communications skills, develop their own game, and most importantly have fun.
Across the National Silent Support Weekend, The FA and Surrey FA is encouraging coaches and spectators to show their support by applauding good play from both teams, but refraining from talking or shouting. This is to create an enjoyable, safe and developmental experience for all youth players, so that they can play the game with freedom, without pressure, and without an over-emphasis on winning at all costs.
FA Chief Executive, Mark Bullingham, said: "The National Silent Support Weekend is designed to promote respect in youth football. It gives players an opportunity to focus fully on their game and not be distracted by the touchline.
As a grassroots coach, I have taken part in trials and seen the benefits first hand. It was so well received by the players that we have worked with County FAs to offer the first National Silent Support weekend. We hope a large number of clubs across the country will join in and provide a fun environment for young players to find their voice."
Surrey FA CEO, Sally Lockyer, said: “We are pleased to support this initiative and encourage Surrey clubs to follow our lead. Surrey FA introduced our own Silent Weekend back in 2018 to promote respect in youth football and showcase an attractive game that puts the needs of the players first, and it is terrific to see this now being driven at a national level.
Now than more ever, we should all demonstrate fair play and a create a positive environment for our youth players to thrive in.”
For further information and to sign up and play your part on Silent Support Weekend, please visit the link below.
