Northumberland FA continues to monitor behaviour across grassroots football via the NFA Respect & Reward scheme, and NFA Positive Football Ambassadors. These schemes mean that, in addition to yellow cards, red cards, and misconduct, being reported, NFA can also gain a much broader view with a much larger data sample of behaviour in the game. The two schemes also allow NFA to incentivise and reward positive behaviour, instead of just disincentivising bad behaviour via fines and suspensions through FA Discipline processes.

Across over 500 games in 2025/26 where Referees have provided Respect Marks to the players, coaches, and spectators of the teams playing, 90% of games are played with a match average Respect Score of between 8-10 out of 10. In comparison, only 0.9% of matches scored had a match average Respect Score of 5 or less.

For player behaviour, there is a big difference between youth and adult football. Over 90% of Teams’ platers are scored 8-10 out of 10 in Youth (U7-U18) football, compared to 79.2% of adult football. Although a difference may be expected, due to increases in the competitive nature and physicality of games at senior level, poor behaviour of others contributes to adults dropping out of the game at a time when teams are reporting greater challenges to player availability.

Overall, the vast majority of football is played within the correct spirit and a positive environment. It is therefore only right that recognition and rewards should be given for those who contribute to this. Kitlocker Voucher Prize draw winners (drawn from any team scored 10/10 for their players, coaches, and spectators for a match) are listed below for October – January:

October £50 Kitlocker Voucher Draw Winners

• Blyth Spartans Juniors Blacks U16
• Cramlington Town Juniors U12
• Seaton Sluice Juniors U10

November £50 Kitlocker Voucher Draw Winners

• Ashington United Tigers U14
• Gosforth Bohemians Firsts
• West Denton Pumas U16

December & January £50 Kitlocker Draw Winners

• Alnwick Town Juniors Blacks U13
• Whitley Bay Sporting Club Seniors
• Cramlington Town Wildcats U14
• Willington Quay Saints Juniors U14

The current Top 20 performing Clubs, across all of their teams, are also in line to win a share of the End of Season Prize Pot, which currently stands at £2,966 and will continue to increase with £6 from every sin-bin caution fine adding to the pot. The teams listed below are in the Top 20 now, however scores are extremely close so a number of Clubs could easily break into the top 20 by the end of the season:

• Alnwick Town Juniors
• Bedlington FC
• Bedlington Terriers Juniors
• Blyth Rangers
• Blyth Spartans Juniors
• Blyth Town Juniors
• Cramlington United
• Cramlington United Juniors
• Cullercoats FC Juniors
• Dudley & Weetslade FC
• Heaton Hawks Juniors
• Hexham
• Killingworth F.C
• Morpeth Town Juniors
• Newcastle Chemfica
• Red House Farm
• Stobswood Welfare
• Team Gosforth Juniors
• Willington Quay Saints FC Juniors

The scheme is completely dependent on referees’ engagement with it. Thank you to all referees who are supporting it. Special thanks must go to Tarokh Tourani, Michael Gray, and Graham Laskey, who have scored the most games so far this season. Referees can also receive end of season rewards as recognition and thanks for supporting the scheme and promoting positive football environments.

NFA also have a team of Positive Football Ambassadors who complete ‘Mystery Shopper’ style matchday visits at games across the County. NFA deploys these Ambassadors to both a targeted matches, based on discipline reports and information provided to the County FA, and random matches to ensure a wide selection of local football is observed.

The main headlines from information collected by Positive Football Ambassadors this season reflects Respect & Reward data, in that the vast majority of football is played within a positive environment. The headline negative finding is, in almost half (47%) of youth fixtures observed, ‘sideline coaching’ from spectators occured. Although family members watching youth football often think providing children instructions from the sidelines helps them, it does not. The message to spectators in youth football is clear, you are parents and guardians, not fans. Let the players play, and the coaches coach.

A summary of data collected from Positive Football Ambassadors is below:
Coaches

• 99% of coaches observed were acting in a respectful manner towards the Referee.
• 96% of coaches were using positive language and gestures towards players.
• 97% of coaches, where appropriate, were affording players with equal game time.

Players

• 95% of players observed were displaying positive behaviour
• 94% of players were acting in a respectful manner towards the Referee and to the opposition.

Spectators

• 96% of spectators observed were respectful towards the Referee
• 91% were positive towards and praised both teams
• 53%, where applicable, refrained from sideline coaching.

Referees

• 85% of Referees observed displayed a professional appearance (91% where the Referee was identified as being U18)
• 96% of Referees observed were on time and appeared to be prepared (99% where the Referee was identified as being U18)

87% of Referees observed demonstrated good command of their whistle and good communication with players (91% where the Referee was identified as being U18).

Respect & Reward Update