GARETH Southgate has called upon parents and coaches to support The Football Association’s Respect campaign, having led the contributions to a ‘We Only Do Positive’ handbook.

Research from The FA has shown that 90% of young players perform better with positive encouragement and the insight has shaped the Respect campaign’s new mantra (having been originally launched in the 2008-09 season) ‘We Only Do Positive’.

The campaign aims to improve touchline and on-pitch behaviour in youth football across the country by raising awareness and the importance of Respect among a new generation of parents, coaches, volunteers, officials and players.

Released to grassroots youth coaches across the country to reinforce the importance of the campaign, the ‘We Only Do Positive’ handbook focuses on Gareth Southgate’s five positive principles of coaching:

• “Create the right environment”
• “Lead by positive example”
• “Understand your players”
• “Build a positive team around you”
• “Instil an ‘anything is possible’ attitude”

Grassroots youth coaches are encouraged to implement the developmental principles to the on and off pitch benefit of all young players. The book features four youth team coaches in boys’ and girls’ football who successfully implemented ‘We Only Do Positive’ at their clubs.

Two of those featured are from Suffolk clubs – Kayleigh Steed, who coaches Haverhill Rovers Girls and Darren Scoulding, who coaches Ipswich Valley Rangers Girls.

This season’s Respect campaign has coincided with impressive feedback in affiliated youth football across the country with nine in 10 club officials stating that on and off-pitch behaviour is a positive match-day experience for players, spectators and coaches (data captured at 114,000 fixtures from U7 to U18 clubs in September to November).These statistics will be tracked and reviewed quarterly.

The ‘We Only Do Positive’ handbook was launched with a mock press conference held at St George’s Park. The England manager fielded questions from eight to ten-year-old children from Willesley Primary school.

To view the video click here

Gareth Southgate said: “I’m hugely supportive of The FA’s ‘We Only Do Positive’ mantra as I’m a big believer that positive encouragement is vital to young people’s development. As coaches, our job is to help give young people confidence, the same is true for parents. Youth football has to be about fun and enjoyment. It is so important that children are encouraged to develop, flourish and grow their love for playing football. That should be the priority for all coaches.”

Darren Scoulding, Senior Football Development Officer at Suffolk FA and a coach at Ipswich Valley Rangers FC Under-14 girls’ is a contributor to the handbook and said: “I’m delighted to be featured in this handbook, which is such a positive resource for all youth coaches around the country.

“As coaches it is key that we inspire our young players to enjoy their football, whilst creating positive environments that encourage creativity and learning. To have the support of Gareth Southgate illustrates how importantly this is viewed at all levels of the game.”

The FA’s ‘We Only Do Positive’ Respect campaign will continue throughout 2019, with a variety of England players featuring in an exciting campaign to support The FA’s initiative at the start of the year.

You can download the ‘We Only Do Positive’ handbook below

To find out more about The FA Respect campaign click here