Football is a sport that is loved around the world and embraced by millions, if not billions, of people each and every week. It has the ability to unite people and it has the ability to divide people. Anyone who is a fan of the game will appreciate the passion that underpins the beautiful game but sometimes, the passion and desire can get the better of us and that’s players, coaches, managers, parents, carers, supporters and volunteers alike.
When we watch the modern game on TV or live in the stadium, we all see how the players, coaches, managers, supporters and others conduct themselves. For around two decades, there have been campaigns to improve respect around the game, both on and off the field. We have all seen images of players behaving disrespectfully towards match officials. We have also seen fans and spectators being disrespectful, so it is an issue that is coming from a number of angles. While the professional game sets the standard and influences amateur players, how important is it that respect should be maintained both on and off the field by players, coaches, managers, parents, carers, supporters and volunteers alike at grassroot level?
The answer? Very important.
Why Parents and Players Should Be Respectful
If we look at this from a parent’s perspective, we all want our children to succeed on the field. After all, parents commit their own time to take their children to games and training, so it is natural to want them to put in the effort and succeed. However, have you ever stopped to think that they are not just there to win but are also there to have fun?
When we consider the younger ages, they are not just there to win. They could simply see it as running around with a ball, tackling and scoring goals and this is where the joy comes from. It is extremely easy for parents especially to become engaged in the game in the wrong way. A bad decision that goes against your child or a bad tackle that leaves them injured might leave you feeling angry and can result in officials or members of the opposition team receiving abuse but you have to look at the bigger picture.
Children don’t intentionally go out to hurt another player, they simply don’t have it in their nature, regardless of how bad a tackle might be. In contrast to this, the referee or other team members that are refereeing the game don’t intentionally make bad decisions. Therefore, we should be more accepting of the decisions that are made and be there to support children, regardless of the outcome. Often, at grassroots the referees, coaches and managers are learning, just as much as the players.
Use Passion in the Right Way
Instead of releasing that passion for the game as anger and frustration, it can help to channel it into encouraging the children. Instead of being disrespectful to the referee for making a poor decision, it can help to encourage your child to understand that they have an opportunity to put things right. As an example, if a referee disallows a goal, instead of shouting at the referee, it can be helpful to shout words of encouragement to your child such as “unlucky, you’ll get another chance”. The change in attitude and approach will then filter through to the children on the pitch.
If children can see that their parents are encouraging, they will quickly take the same attitude and become more understanding of situations and decisions. This will then remain with them as they move through the ages, eventually helping them to understand that decisions have to be made and that they won’t always go in their favour.
Football Can Be Complex – Make it Easier for Children
When it comes to football development, children have a lot to think about. Football is more than just kicking a ball, even though it begins with just that at a young age. However, when children begin playing competitively, they have a million things to think about. Football is a game based on decisions so they have to make decisions over how they use space, how they move, who they pass to, what they do when they receive the ball and what the opposition is doing on the field. The last thing they need is to have their parents influencing them through a lack of respect or to worry about what their parents are saying and doing on the touchline. Children should be left to develop in their own time and in an environment that encourages that.
Respect has to be embraced by players, coaches, managers, parents, carers, supporters and volunteers alike. When coaches, players and referees are giving up their spare time to play matches or take training sessions, everyone should be appreciative of that. Respect starts from a young age and this means that parents should set an example. When that happens, the children will follow and from that, we’ll all learn to love the beautiful game for what it is!
If you or your children are interested in being part of the Halliford Colts Community, for example, joining the Soccer School or one of Our Teams, please contact us today at hallifordcolts@yahoo.com as we’d love to hear from you! Joining a football club is a great learning opportunity for you or your child, even beyond football itself as they can develop their communication, leadership, respect and teamwork to name but a few.