A NEW initiative has been launched to drive positive change in sport.

Suffolk FA, Active Suffolk and Coplestonians FC partnered to create the #DontComeIf campaign for young people to share their views on what they don’t want to hear or see when taking part in sport and physical activity.

They joined forces to create the campaign whilst discussing the value of positive culture in sport, with the belief that protecting positive culture at a young age contributes to the longer-term holistic gains of being engaged in physical activity.

The campaign, including the video which captures the voice of the young players, was unveiled to an invited audience at St Johns Conservative & Constitutional Club in Kirby Street, Ipswich on Thursday evening.

Hayley Chart, designated Safeguarding Lead at Suffolk FA, was driven by a passion to capture the Youth voice and use it to drive positive change in sport.

Hayley had previously launched the Positive Place to Play campaign to initiate conversations and reflections on how clubs can improve their culture; this new campaign has been a natural progression of that initiative.

“I love that we provided the opportunity to give the young people's voice a space to be heard – not just by us, but by parents and spectators who attend. We want young people to have fun and enjoy the game whilst letting their football do the talking,” said Hayley.

"We chose Coplestonians FC to do this with us, with Macca (Dave McGregor) as the driving force and once I mentioned it to Emma at Active Suffolk there was no stopping the initiative. With Positive Place to Play, Macca showed us how committed he was to creating a positive, fun culture throughout their club.

“The amount of players and parents who came to the rainy filming day in October half term was testament to his influence and the children were a credit to the club. Huge thanks to Emma at Active Suffolk as without her vision, passion and support, this wouldn’t have been possible. A true team effort.

“Macca is a true driving force and has been ‘all in’ and committed, as he always is,” she continued.

Pictured above at Thursday night’s launch (left to right) are Michaela Ainger, Hayley Chart, Dave McGregor and Emma Swan.

Emma Swan, Sport Welfare Officer at Active Suffolk, said: “As soon as Hayley told me about her Positive Place to Play campaign and her vision for continuing to capture the views of participants, I knew we couldn’t let the idea go. 

“Being introduced to Macca and being exposed to his energy and passion – we knew we had something pretty special that we could create. Whether aimed at parents, coaches, or spectators, #DontComeIf is a clear message to keep sport safe and fun for young people.

“It’s been a privilege to create this with such wonderful people and having a videographer who just got it from day one and understood our vision – we hope that we have done justice to what the players wanted to share.

“This isn’t the end either – we are creating more resources and opportunities to keep listening and making change together.”

Coplestonians FC Club Welfare Officer Dave McGregor said: “I got involved because I believe that Youth football should be a place where kids can thrive, express themselves, and simply enjoy the game without the weight of negativity from the sidelines.

“The video is a great message that captures exactly what we’re trying to achieve a positive, respectful environment where football is about fun, development, and teamwork.

“We hope this initiative will encourage parents and spectators to reflect on their behaviour and recognise that their support, positivity, and encouragement are what make football enjoyable and impactful for young players.

“Football is a game, but for these kids, it’s also a learning experience. Let’s be role models who inspire them and not be distractions that take away from their joy.”

The campaign has been brought to life by Michaela Ainger, who shot the video and did the photography for the campaign.

Pictured above at Thursday night’s launch are Coplestonians players, who presented a framed photograph of the day to Dave McGregor. They are pictured with (left to right) Michaela Ainger, Hayley Chart, Dave McGregor and Emma Swan.

Among the Coplestonians players at the launch was Mia, aged nine. When asked about taking part in the campaign, said: “I enjoy playing football and seeing all my friends.

“I also enjoy being part of the community and taking part in the video.”

Five-year-old Lilly said: “I enjoy taking part in football with my friends,” and Sophia, who is seven, added: “I enjoy being with all my friends when playing football.”