This weekend coming, February 2 – February 4, we want to see the Respect our Game initiative in action on the sidelines at every match across the country. For this to happen, we need you to help implement some helpful ways of creating a positive environment on the sidelines with the below.

Silent Side lines- Let the players play and think and learn for themselves.
Positive Side lines- cheering and clapping for both sides, it you haven’t got something nice to say, stay quiet.
Know your roles- let the players play, let the official referee, let the coaches coach, be a spectators and watch in a positive manner
Get Feedback from your players- Let them tell you how the current sidelines make them feel.

Don’t let inappropriate comments, shouting, aggression, physical violence, and laughing at others whilst supporting or coaching a match become the norm! Change it! Challenge it!

When something is left unchallenged, it is viewed as acceptable!

Take positive action now and prepare your club to embrace the Respect our Game initiative this coming weekend and help create a positive environment across the country!

The FAI would like to get feedback on the current sidelines, please take 5 minutes to complete the survey at this link. https://eur05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fforms.office.com%2Fe%2Fb6DQaJEyh6%3Forigin%3DlprLink&data=05%7C02%7Ckirsten.pakes%40fai.ie%7C0f0845cab8564eb0daeb08dc1e8e59c1%7C32c484276c7a4f8db5d750923acc7bb7%7C0%7C0%7C638418844090156821%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=uATVjt1GdLy2g70WzJrPbXGdRDzw6mVr5dTpEjUD674%3D&reserved=0
Click Here for Survey

Below is some feedback from some players who experiences a silent sideline:
“It was much better because we could hear each other talk and we were much more organised.”

“We played better as a team and we had more confidence in how we were playing.”

“Great, get to try stuff without the coach roaring at you.”

“Loved it, more relaxing.”

“Found it difficult cos the coaches couldn't t tell us what to do when we made mistake”

“Good, the coaches weren't telling us what to do. Sometimes we need a helping hand but not all the time and we figured it out for ourselves.”

All the best with your initiatives at your sideline and if you have any questions or require any support, please contact us on the below e-mail address.
Also, if you’ve implemented the initiative successfully, we would love to hear your success stories at childwelfare@fai.ie.

Kind Regards,
The FAI Child Welfare & Safeguarding Department