The top two priorities highlighted from the consultation were to stop the abuse towards referees from players, and from spectators and parents.
The Respect programme is a whole game issue which has implications in the professional game as well as in grassroots football. After a large scale pilot the four main themes of the programme in grassroots football were set as follows:
1. Codes of Conduct
2. Referee managing the game
3. Captains taking more responsibility
4. Use of designated spectator areas
The FA Respect Programme is one of the key milestones outlined in the FA Vision of how to change the face of football. It is a long term programme which has been very positively received by the football community in Kent. For a list of Kent leagues who have signed up to The FA Respect Programme click here.
The focus for the 2010/2011 season will be to get all the leagues that have committed their support to the Programme to become fully operational. This includes embedding codes of conduct into their registration process, as well as training referees about the Respect Programme. There will also be a drive to promote the Programme at all levels. At the top level this will revolve around the third round of the FA Cup and England Internationals. At grassroots level there will be a new Respect event kit and new additional resources to help promote the Programme 'at a more local level'.
For more information about the FA Respect programme please contact Stephanie Gadd (Football Development Officer) on 01622 792 140 or email stephanie.gadd@kentfa.com