Dereham Wanderers Football Club

Enjoying The Game

 

Respect is The FA's programme of activities to combat unacceptable behaviour in our game at every level - on the pitch and from the sidelines.

 


This was the No.1 priority emerging from the biggest opinion survey to date of grassroots football in England. It was carried out in late 2007 and directly informed The FA's National Game Strategy, published in March 2008.

We hope that Respect will ensure a safe, positive environment for everyone to enjoy football. From the start it will have an impact on the following areas:

Referee recruitment and retention: By tackling abuse towards match officials, we hope to reduce the stream of referees understandably leaving the game.

Participation within youth football: Abuse and pressure from the sidelines needs to stop if we are to ensure young children enjoy, stay and progress in the game.

Coaching and player development: An encouraging and player-centred approach is vital if we are to improve coaching standards - particularly for the key 5-11 age-group. It's simple: better coaches produce better players.

Safeguarding children: Everyone in football has a duty of care towards children - ensuring they are able to play football in a safe, enjoyable environment free of abuse, bullying and discrimination.

Improving behaviour is a whole-game issue and the 2008-09 season will see the Respect programme introduced at professional and grassroots levels.

To do this, The FA is actively working with the following organisations:

  • The Premier League
  • The Football League
  • The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA)
  • The League Managers' Association (LMA)
  • Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO)
  • All County FAs

DEREHAM WANDERERS FOOTBALL CLUB IS COMMITTED TO FOLLOW THE RESPECT POLICY AND ALL 18 YOUTH TEAMS ARE IN LEAGUES WHICH ARE SIGNED UP TO THE RESPECT PROGRAMME.

Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe has lent his support to the Respect programme, saying: "Football is the most high profile sport in the world and with the new season about to start, the game is back in the spotlight. Footballers today are not just sportsmen, they are role models for young people around the world. Passion is at the heart of the game, but being passionate doesn't mean disrespecting people. It's absolutely crucial that players, coaches, officials and spectators sign up to Respect. We need to see a commitment to change at all levels of the sport, and I'm grateful to the FA for leading the way."

Respect Code of Conduct

TheFA.com/Respect

 

Young Players

 

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game.

As a player, you have a big part to play. That’s why The FA is asking every player

to follow a Respect Code of Conduct.

When playing football, I will:

 

• Always play to the best of my ability

• Play fairly – I won’t cheat, complain or waste time

• Respect my team-mates, the other team, the referee or my coach/manager

• Play by the rules, as directed by the referee

• Shake hands with the other team and referee at the end of the game

• Listen and respond to what my coach/team manager tells me

• Talk to someone I trust or the club welfare officer if I’m unhappy about anything at my club.

 

I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken by my club, County FA or The FA:

I may:

 

• Be required to apologise to my team-mates, the other team, referee or team manager

• Receive a formal warning from the coach or the club committee

• Be dropped or substituted

• Be suspended from training

• Be required to leave the club

 

In addition:

 

• My club, County FA or The FA may make my parent or carer aware of any infringements of the Code of Conduct

• The FA/County FA could impose a fine and suspension against my club

 

Spectators and parents/carers

 

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game

This club is supporting The FA’s Respect programme to ensure football can be

enjoyed in a safe, positive environment. Remember children’s football is a time for

them to develop their technical, physical, tactical and social skills. Winning isn’t

everything. Play your part and observe The FA’s Respect Code of Conduct for spectators

and parents/carers at all times

 

I will:

 

• Remember that children play for FUN.

• Applaud effort and good play as well as success

• Always respect the match officials’ decisions

• Remain outside the field of play and within the Designated Spectators’ Area (where provided)

• Let the coach do their job and not confuse the players by telling them what to do

• Encourage the players to respect the opposition, referee and match officials

• Avoid criticising a player for making a mistake – mistakes are part of learning

• Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting, or abusive language or behaviour

 

I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may

be taken by my club, County FA, league or The FA:

 

I may be:

 

• Issued with a verbal warning from a club or league official

• Required to meet with the club, league or CFA Welfare Officer

• Required to meet with the club committee

• Obliged to undertake an FA education course

• Obliged to leave the match venue by the club

• Requested by the club not to attend future games

• Suspended or have my club membership removed

• Required to leave the club along with any dependents

 

In addition:

 

• The FA/County FA could impose a fine and/or suspension on the club

 

Match Officials

 

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game.

The behaviour of the match officials has an impact, directly and indirectly, on the

conduct of everyone involved in the game – both on the pitch and on the sidelines.

Play your part and observe The FA’s Respect Code of Conduct of match

officials at all time.

 

I will:

 

• Be honest and completely impartial at all times

• Apply the Laws of the Game and competition rules fairly and consistently

• Manage the game in a positive, calm and confident manner

• Deal with all instances of violence, aggression, unsporting behaviour, foul play and other misconduct

• Never tolerate offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour from players and officials

• Support my match official colleagues at all times

• Set a positive personal example by promoting good behaviour and showing respect to everyone involved in the game

• Communicate with the players and encourage fair play

• Respond in a clear, calm and confident manner to any appropriate request for clarification by the team captains

• Prepare physically and mentally for every match

• Complete and submit, accurate and concise reports within the time limit required for games in which I officiate

 

I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken by my club, County FA or The FA:

 

I may be:

 

• Required to meet with The FA/County FA Refereeing Official

• Required to meet with The FA/County FA Refereeing Committee

• Obliged to attend or re-attend The FA Respect training or other FA education course

• Issued with a written warning

• Fined by the County FA

• Offered less senior appointments

• Suspended from all appointments for a defined period

• Excluded from affiliating as a FA Referee

 

Coaches, Team Managers and Club Officials

 

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game.

In the FA’s survey of 37,000 grassroots participants, behaviour was the biggest

concern in the game. This included the abuse of match officials and the unacceptable behaviour of

over competitive parents, spectators and coaches on the sideline. Play your part and observe the Football

Association’s Respect Code of Conduct in everything you do.

 

On and off the field, I will:

 

• Show respect to others involved in the game including match officials, opposition

players, coaches, managers, officials and spectators

• Adhere to the laws and spirit of the game

• Promote Fair Play and high standards of behaviour

• Always respect the match official’s decision

• Never enter the field of play without the referee’s permission

• Never engage in public criticism of the match officials

• Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour

 

When working with players, I will:

 

• Place the well-being, safety and enjoyment of each player above everything, including winning

• Explain exactly what I expect of players and what they can expect from me

• Ensure all parents/carers of all players under the age of 18 understand these expectations

• Never engage in or tolerate any form of bullying

• Develop mutual trust and respect with every player to build their self-esteem

• Encourage each player to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance

• Ensure all activities I organise are appropriate for the players’ ability level, age and maturity

• Co-operate fully with others in football (e.g.officials, doctors, physiotherapists, welfare officers) for each player’s best interests

 

I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken

by my club, County FA, league or The FA:

 

• Required to meet with the club, league or County Welfare Officer

• Required to meet with the club committee

• Monitored by another club coach

• Required to attend a FA education course

• Suspended by the club from attending matches

• Suspended or fined by the County FA

• Required to leave or be sacked by the club

 

In addition:

 

• My FACA (FA Coaches Association) membership may be withdrawn

 

Adult Players

 

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game

Players tell us they want a referee for every match, yet 7,000 match officials

drop out each season because of the abuse and intimidation they receive on

and off the pitch. Respect your referee today and you may just get one for every

match this season.

Play your part and observe The FA’s Respect Code of Conduct for players at all times.

 

On and off the field, I will:

 

• Adhere to the Laws of The Game

• Display and promote high standards of behaviour

• Promote Fair Play

• Always respect the match officials decisions

• Never engage in public criticism of the match officials

• Never engage in offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour

• Never engage in bullying, intimidation or harassment

• Speak to my team-mates, the opposition and my coach/manager with respect.

• Remember we all make mistakes.

• Win or lose with dignity. Shake hands with the opposing team and the referee at the end of every game.

 

I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken

by my club, County FA or The FA:

 

• Be required to apologise to team-mates, the other team, referee or team manager

• Receive a warning from the coach

• Receive a written warning from the club committee

• Be required to attend a FA education course

• Be dropped or substituted

• Be suspended from training

• Not be selected for the team

• Be required to serve a suspension

• Be fined

• Be required to leave the club

 

In addition:

 

• The FA/County FA could impose a fine and/or suspension on the club.