With the majority of junior & youth football starting in the Capital over the next two weekends, we felt it was timely to remind all our clubs and members about the need to play our game with respect and in the spirit of fair play. We need your help as clubs and schools to manage this and so would respectfully ask the following:

• Keep an eye out and support our sideline behaviour campaigns in our region. You will see our Good Sports campaign which will be communicated across the junior and youth season. This is an across code program aimed at side-line behaviour in community sport. The principles of Good Sports campaign focus firmly on the reason we play sport, which is to have fun, get some exercise and enjoy the comradery of all involved in the game. Yes, winning is an important part of the game and we all enjoy that, but it should not come at the expense of poor on or off field behaviour towards the opposition or match officials.

• Community football does not happen without people putting their hand up to referee games. From the top referees in our region, to people that put their hand up right before kick-off, everyone referee is a vital part of our community. Referees do their best but make mistakes from time to time, just like all players do. Making a mistake as a referee is not justification for abuse, and abusive language is unfortunately a significant factor in why people stop refereeing, or don’t ever start refereeing football.

• We ask that the message is clear from your club to your members that you will not tolerate poor on field behaviour, particularly dissent or abuse of match officials and overly aggressive, abusive or discriminatory comments towards opposition. We need you to help set the tone with this and ensure your members know you mean business. It has been fantastic to see club’s act in a very proactive way around this and we would encourage others to do the same. 

On the same vein, we would ask that coaches and team support staff are also reminded of the expectations around their behaviour and that they lead their players by example.

The area of side-line and on-field behaviour is a serious issue in our game that cannot be solved by Capital Football or a few well-meaning clubs only. It needs complete support and a no tolerance policy on abuse, discrimination and overly aggressive behaviour from ALL clubs.

We look forward to your support around this and if you need any help in getting this message to your members, please ask and we will be more than happy to help where every possible.

Best wishes for the season and thanks again for your support.

Article added: Thursday 24 April 2025