In 2024/25, NFA are continuing two projects aimed at monitoring and improving behaviour in grassroots football. ‘Respect & Reward’ and ‘Positive Football Ambassadors’ both provide a much broader picture, and larger data set, on behaviour across football compared to discipline data alone. Both projects also allow NFA to provide recognition for the vast majority involved in grassroots football that make the game as popular as it has ever been, supporting tens of thousands of players, coaches, referees, club volunteers, league volunteers, and spectators be involved in football every single week in the County region.

Respect & Reward involves referees providing Respect Marks for teams’ players, coaches, and spectators. Up to the end of September, over 200 matches had been scored. Overall, 87.5% of all matches recorded have had an average Respect Mark of 8-10 out of 10 compared to 0.5% of matches which have had an average Respect Mark of 5 or less out of 10. 170 teams were also scored ‘100% Positive’ with their players, coaches, and spectators all being scored 10 out of 10. All these teams were entered into a prize draw with four teams receiving a £50 Kitlocker Voucher. A full scoring report for August and September can be found linked below.

Respect & Reward £50 Kitlocker Voucher Draw Winners for August & September:

• Morpeth Town Juniors Eagles U15
• Gosforth Bohemian Firsts
• Whitley Bay S.C Pumas U14
• Ashington Buffs Sporting Club

NFA’s team of Positive Football Ambassadors has also been expanded following a successful trial in 2023/24. The Ambassadors are each are assigned fixtures to watch every weekend to perform a ‘Mystery Shop’ style visit. They will observe the overall environment of match, including how spectators and participants behave. 65 match observations were completed up to the 10^th October. Of these fixtures, the positive findings have been 100% of coaches being respectful to referees, 97% of coaches in youth football ensuring equal playing time for players, and 95% of players being positive towards both the referee and each other. The negative point that stands out is that spectators/parents coaching from the sidelines occurred in 46% of games observed. A full round up of data recorded can be found below.

Information from Positive Football Ambassador reports are shared with Clubs involved, ensuring that positive feedback is provided to recognise the work clubs do that often goes unnoticed to create positive football environments. Where improvements can be made, actions that can be taken are shared to support clubs.

Both these projects will continue throughout 2024/25 season alongside FA Discipline process that provide sanctions in the form of suspensions, fines, and mandatory training. In addition, from January 2025, Northumberland FA has elected to take part in a new pilot project from The FA that will target the worst 1% of Teams across the country based on discipline points, respect marks, and instances of misconduct. Clubs in our County within this 1% will receive an action plan and support locally, along with FA Resources. Where improvements are not made, these teams may face suspension and have their affiliation removed.

Positive Football Ambassador October Update