Devon County FA Funds 150 Respect Barriers for Youth Football

Devon County FA has invested more than £10,000 in over 150 Respect barriers, which have been shared between the county’s six youth leagues to help improve touchline behaviour at matches.

The barriers, supplied through the County FA’s partner Net World Sports, mark a clear line between spectators and the pitch. They give young players space and encourage parents and supporters to back them from a respectful distance. Each league’s share was based on the number of teams in its competitions, as part of a wider push for consistent youth pitch setups across Devon.

“Youth football should be about enjoyment, development and making lasting memories, and the behaviour of adults on the sidelines can have a significant impact on that experience,” said Gina Maynard, secretary of the North Devon Youth League.

The investment sits alongside education and dedicated staff support as part of the County FA’s work to reduce poor behaviour. Jakebir Ramday, Devon County FA’s Senior Delivery Officer for Behaviour, said crowd behaviour can sometimes create an intimidating environment for players, officials and other spectators.

“Football often receives negative attention because of poor behaviour, and spectator culture also plays a significant role, with crowd behaviour sometimes creating an intimidating environment for players, match officials and fellow supporters,” he said.

“That makes the example we set around our youth pitches especially important, ensuring children experience football in a positive, safe and welcoming way …  we want to give everyone the tools to create welcoming environments where children can thrive.”

A parent who applauds good play from either side, accepts a referee’s decision or encourages after a mistake shows young players what respect looks like in practice. A parent who shouts at officials or criticises from the sideline shows them the opposite. Young players tend to take those lessons onto the pitch with them, and often into the rest of their lives.

Grassroots sport is where most people first decide whether sport is for them. A child who enjoys their Saturday mornings, feels supported and isn’t afraid of making mistakes is far more likely to keep playing into their teens and adulthood, and perhaps one day to coach, referee or volunteer. A child who finds it stressful or intimidating may simply stop. Keeping youth football enjoyable for every child, not just the most talented, is how clubs build players, and people, who stay in the game for life.

A barrier on the touchline won’t eradicate disrespectful or intimidating behaviour in and of itself, but a clearly marked touchline, set up the same way at every ground, tells every parent and spectator what’s expected before a ball is kicked. Devon County FA plans to keep working with its youth leagues on consistent pitch setups and positive touchline behaviour, in line with its values of being positive, inclusive and respectful.