Adult teams #KeepItClean for Respect
Oxfordshire FA’s first Adult Respect Weekend was a success despite bad weather cancelling games on Sunday.
The #KeepItClean weekend aimed at reducing foul and abusive language in the grassroots adult game, saw all teams provided with a Captain’s Respect Armband for the Captain’s to show their support of the weekend, and the Respect programme for the rest of the season and beyond.
David Farbrother, Respect Lead for the Oxford City FA League said: "Not only was it fantastic see so many teams from our league participating in the Respect Weekend, it was also great to see them enjoy taking part and promoting the Respect programme - seeing the teams integrating before Kick-Off, warming up together and having group photos was brilliant and sent a really positive message.
"The feedback we've had from clubs since has been brilliant and we're hopeful that the positivity from the weekend will continue to impact on the OCFA league in general and help to raise awareness of Respect in the local game."
Planned and supported by the Oxfordshire FA Youth Leadership Team (YLT), the weekend also saw members of the team support Oxfordshire FA staff in their match visits and carrying out interviews. The team and leaders visited two games over the weekend, in both the Witney and District FA and Oxford City FA. Players, coaches and referees were interviewed at both games to get their views on the weekend and how it would improve player behaviour.
James Shiplee, Oxfordshire FA lead for the Respect Weekend said: “It was great to go to a couple of matches over the course of the Respect Weekend and see how much support the initiative had. To see the YLT plan this event shows the impact they can have on football in the county to improve standards and keep more players involved, and aid the transition of players from youth football to the adult game.”