Est 1899
Carpe Diem
The WSFL is in the process of adopting the FA’s Respect program and in turn expects its member clubs to also sign up. The extracts below, taken from www.thefa.com/TheFA/Respect , highlight the principle objectives of the programme. As an FA Charter Standard club PGFC all ready have in place codes of conduct and already ask for players to sign up to those codes. As a club we will actively promote the principles that underpin RESPECT at all levels of the game.
See www.thefa.com/RespectFilm for an amusing but all too true look into grass roots football.
Respect affects the entire game, and needs YOUR help, regardless of how you are involved in football.
PLAYERS - Whether you're in the starting eleven or on the bench, your role as a player is crucial to the success of Respect. On a match day, you'll be expected to work with your coaches and your captain to allow the referee to manage the game without being subjected to abuse. With the game losing thousands of referees from the game every year, it's hugely important, because without the referees, the game isn't the same.
If the league you play in adopts the Respect programme, you will be asked to read, agree to, and sign, a Code of Conduct at your club. This will be your 'promise' to abide by a set of rules governing your behaviour as a player. Working together with your coach, your captain, and each referee that takes charge of your games during the season, you can play a major role in improving the game for everyone, through Respect.
COACHES - Coaches have a hugely important role to play in Respect, as they are not only responsible for their own behaviour, but they can also influence that of their players and spectators, too. On a match day, you'll be expected to work with your players, parents and other spectators to allow the referee to manage the game without being subjected to abuse.
REFEREES - The Respect programme aims to allow Referees to officiate matches without being subjected to abuse by players, coaches or spectators - and the referees themselves have a key part to play in the process. Working in partnership with the clubs they officiate, referees can provide post-match feedback regarding the behaviour of players, parents, coaches and other spectators, to help the clubs enforce their Codes of Conduct.
PARENTS AND SPECTATORS - Parents have a big responsibility as part of the Respect programme. Respect is working to eradicate touchline abuse in football, and parents can play their part by agreeing to, and signing, their club's Code of Conduct and abiding by them throughout the season.
Parents also have a responsibility for their children's behaviour. The players will also be asked to sign a Code of Conduct, and parents can encourage their children to adhere to the players' code.
CLUB AND LEAGUE OFFICIALS - The Respect programme relies on clubs and leagues to take active steps to ensure high standards of conduct throughout their club or league. Leagues can champion the Respect programme, and communicate the importance of Respect to their member clubs through meetings and bulletins. Club officials can sign up to and enforce Codes of Conduct for their players, coaches, parents and spectators, which will set the standard for behaviour throughout their club.
POSTERS WILL BE DISPLAYED IN HOME & AWAY CHANGING ROOMS AT THE PARK AND ASHURST – PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ THEM
We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game.
The behaviour of the match officials has an impact, directly and indirectly, on the conduct of everyone involved in the game - both on the pitch and on the sidelines. Play your part and observe The FA's Respect Code of Conduct for Match Officials at all time.
When officiating I will:
As your team's captain, you have a vital role to play in helping us achieve the number one priority for footballers in The FA's biggest-ever survey of grassroots football - a referee for every game. Seven thousand referees are dropping out each season because of the abuse and intimidation they receive. It ruins games and can cause matches to be abandoned. Then we've all lost.
Captain taking responsibility - As a captain, you have no special status or privileges under the Laws of the Game, but you do have a degree of responsibility for the behaviour of your team.
To promote Respect, the referee will work with you, as the team captain, to manage the players and the game effectively. Even if you are some way away from an incident when the referee feels he/she needs you involved in a discussion with a player, the referee will call you over. This will ensure that, as the team captain, you remain the point of contact for the referee.
How Captains can help to instil Respect: