#PassThePositivity
Youth Leagues unite to launch #PassThePositivity
Oxfordshire FA have teamed up with the county’s youth leagues to help create positive behaviour in youth football
This partnership with OYFL, OGFL, WDYFL, BOBi League and Oxfordshire FA aims to continue to develop a positive and enjoyable environment for children & young people to play football across the county.
This campaign builds on the fantastic efforts going on already to improve respect in youth football in Oxfordshire and, although there has been some great work in the county to improve behaviour, there is still work that can be done.
Over the last two years, there has been an increase in reports of poor behaviour from players, coaches, spectators and others involved in the game, which, according to consultations we have carried out, has been a key factor for young people either not wanting to return to play or giving up completely.
#PassThePositivity encourages clubs to promote positive behaviour amongst their players, coaches, parents and spectators to make sure that they can give the best experience to everyone involved.
In February 2022, we started the next phase of the campaign with the message - Let Referees Ref and Let Players Play
Following increasing reports of abuse towards match officials, particularly youth officials, we are focused on ensuring all young participants in grassroots football – both players and referees – are given the opportunity to enjoy themselves without fear of abuse.
Find out more about Let Referees Ref and Let Players Play.
We encourage clubs to spread positive messages through all their outlets to help everyone in the Oxfordshire Football Family play their part in making the best environment for young people to thrive and continue playing and refereeing.
How can clubs play their part?
We have created a series of graphics for clubs to utilise. The aim of these are so clubs can show their support across their social media accounts and websites. You can download these below. Get involved using #PassThePositivity
We have created ‘hints and tips’ guides on some of the things clubs could think about to help provide the best possible experience for players and referees to keep them participating. Please share these with your team officials and club members.
There will be a series of weekly social media messages that will be promoted by Oxfordshire FA and youth leagues – we want to encourage clubs to share these with their followers and members.
What other support is available?
We have collated a series of support, workshops, guidance and resources that can help clubs to reinforce key messages across different topics. Check out the below to support you in creating a positive environment at your club. Please see the links below.
Useful Links
- FA Respect Codes of Conduct
- FA Introduction to Refereeing Modules
- FA 21 Days of Positivity
- FA We Only Do Positive
- OFA Coaches CPD Programme
- Oxfordshire Smokefree Sidelines
- BT Playmaker by England Football
- OFA Coaches CPD - Return to Play
- Reporting Discrimination
- Mind Mental Health and Physical Activity Resource
We will also be delivering a series of #PassThePositivity themed months with focused promotion and support so watch this space.
For more information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Michael Thurlow (Football Development Manager) via Development@OxfordshireFA.com
In our Returning to Play consultation with young people, feedback showed that poor behaviour was a key factor for young people either not wanting to return to play or giving up completely.
Since the first lockdown there has been an increase in reports of poor behaviour from players, coaches, parents, spectators and others involved in the game.
We need help from everyone in the Oxfordshire Football Family to play their part in making the best environment for young people to thrive and continue playing and refereeing.
The campaign is launching in October as this is the month that has historically had the most reports of discipline and poor behaviour. This is an ongoing campaign but we felt this would be the perfect time to kick-off things off and spread the positivity.
We will provide clubs that would like to support this campaign a social media graphic to use to publicly pledge their support.
Oxfordshire FA and youth leagues will be sharing positive messages & graphics via social media which we encourage clubs to share.
You can share positive images and messages of your own club using the hashtag #PassThePositivity
We will also be providing Hints & Tips Guidance for clubs to utilise & help create a positive experience for everyone involved in the game.
No, definitely not. This aims to add value to all existing respect initiatives at a national and local level.
This has been designed to support clubs reinforce positive behaviour and messages at a local level.
We are aware of some fantastic FA Respect work going on already in Oxfordshire and this aims to compliment and add value.
Yes. Using feedback from Oxfordshire FA’s Returning to Play Consultation, we have designed guidance that provides some ‘top tips’ on what your club could think about implementing.
There is a section in the guidance that sign posts you to some ‘resources andvsupport’ to assist you further.
We hope you find this useful but if you have any questions on any of the content then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
This is an on-going initiative. We will be delivering focus months throughout the season which we will provide further details on – watch this space!