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 2008/2009 season was to promote the FA Respect Programme and raise awareness of it through media coverage and by meeting with Leagues and their member clubs.
In the 2009/2010 season the focus will shift to making all the leagues that have committed their support, fully functional in terms of rolling out the programme.
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