Parents/spectators have a great influence on children’s enjoyment and success in football. All children play football because they first and foremost love the game – it’s fun. It is important to remember that however good a child becomes at football within your club, it is important to reinforce the message to parents/spectators that positive encouragement will contribute to:

Children enjoying football
A sense of personal achievement
Self-esteem
Improvement in the child’s skills and techniques.

A parent’s/spectator’s expectations and attitudes have a significant bearing on a child’s attitude towards:

Other players
Officials
Managers
Spectators

Ensure that parents/spectators within the club are always positive and encouraging towards all of the children, not just their own.
Encourage parents/spectators to:

Applaud the opposition as well as your own team
Avoid coaching the child during the game
Not to shout and scream
Respect the referee’s decision
Give attention to each of the children involved in football, not just the most talented
Give encouragement to everyone to participate in football.

Ensure that parents/spectators within the club agree and adhere to the BWFC Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Children Policy.

The club expects all parents and spectators to:

Provide transport to players for both training and matches
Support the team manager, team and players.
Be positive role models in terms of language, attitude, restraint and sportsmanship.
Use positive comments only – encourage rather than discourage.

The following will not be tolerated by the Club and is deemed completely unacceptable behaviour:

Verbal abuse.
Negative comments
Entering the field of play.
Obscene or discriminatory language.
Arguing with officials or opposition supporters.
Supporting bad behaviour of players
Interfering in the Managers role.
Racism.