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.