GroupThink: Did FA's 'Silent Support' work?

"The silent weekend we held in 2014 told us many things, including the fact silence was appreciated by virtually nobody.

"However, it did draw attention to the intolerable pressure placed on children from the touchline on a weekly basis by incessantly instructional parents and commentating coaches. 

"The conclusion we reached was that we need to change the nature of the noise, from telling children what to do, to applauding, praising and encouraging. 

"We hold a free workshop for adults in junior football in Lancashire and have adopted two hashtags - #PraiseNotPressure and #MakeNotesNotNoise.

"Adults should be aware that although they mean no malice by moving children around like PlayStation characters, research shows they are reducing enjoyment and curtailing development.

"At the school play, adults trust children to deliver on what they have been learning. Nobody shouts instructions if they forget lines or stand in the wrong place.

"Why can’t youth football be the same? Parents can chill out. Coaches can plan their next training session. Children can play with freedom and empowerment."

Neil Yates
Head of safeguarding and wellbeing, Lancashire FA

’LESS PRESSURE on all’

"We got to our away venue and there was a game already under way.

"You could tell straight away that most parents were respecting the Silent Support Weekend instructions. It was strangely quiet, apart from the players talking and the odd instruction from a coach.

"Our game kicked off not long after – once again, nearly all home and away supporters and parents were respectfully quiet. This helped us as coaches to get our instructions across easier.

"You could also hear the lads talking to each other and shouting ‘man on’ or offering instructions themselves, which was great to hear.

"I can appreciate how distracting and confusing it must be for players to get one instruction from a coach and a parent shouting another.

"So, yes, the Silent Support Weekend was great in that respect, but I don’t see supporters respecting the FA’s instructions week-in, week-out. It would be great if they did – there would definitely be less pressure on players and referees."

Matthew Whittemore
Coach, Elford Boys U11s

’WE NEED TO LOOK AT BIGGER PICTURE’

"The Silent Support Weekend reminds me of being at school, when there was that one small group of classmates who would routinely disrupt the lesson and we would all end up facing the consequences.

"I have never been a fan of punishing the group and not directly addressing the actions of a few known usual suspects. 

"I absolutely recognise the problems the Silent Support initiative has been set up to address. As a parent of an U12 boy and an U16 girl, I see the problems myself – adults on both sidelines.

"The real challenge is how these behaviours can realistically be addressed to create meaningful, long-term, positive change instead of just going to the unnatural extreme for one match every few months and then reverting to the unacceptable norm for all games in between.

"We all know grassroots football is about young people learning how to play and referee. We also all know how we ought to behave – and yet, every week, we see people behaving in ways they would never dream of in other areas of their lives.

"My view is that it is too big and unrealistic an ask to expect the grassroots game to reflect for a weekend here and there and somehow simply become more respectful and less aggressive.

"We need to look at the deeply ingrained culture of football itself and the huge shift required has to become evident at all levels, from professional clubs, players, managers and coaching staff right down to all of us supporting the grassroots games we love"

Vicki Kateley
Parent of an U12 boy and U16 girl

’WISH IT WAS FOR A LONGER PERIOD’

"The Silent Support Weekend initiative is fantastic.

"Without constant noise from the sidelines, players can communicate amongst themselves better, they can hear their coach’s voice clearer and they can play confidently, without fear of hearing a parent’s voice asking them to do something the coach hasn’t suggested. 

"Listening to constant instruction on when to pass, or overhearing negative comments from the opposition’s supporters, can leave them feeling downhearted.

"The benefits to volunteer referees, young and old, also cannot be understated. They must be allowed to do their job without fear of disagreement or verbal abuse from supporters.

"I understand why some parents view the Silent Support Weekend negatively. They feel not being able to vocally encourage their child is not supporting. However, go to any academy around the country and you will see a silent sideline, with parents clapping.

"I only wish the Football Association would instigate Silent Support for a longer period of time. A step-change to watching in silence - clapping great play from both sides, and an encouraging word at the end – would dramatically and positively change grassroots football forever."

HUW WATERS
Manager, Horsham Tigers U12s

’this one ran a lot better’

"I have always been sceptical of the Silent Support Weekend, as it has come across as something to prevent loud parents and coaches.

"I thought this one ran a lot better. The coaches could still help their team and there was only applause from the spectators of both sides."

Ben Saxton
Manager, Eastwood Athletic U13 Warriors

"A team works best if the attitude is correct – and the only way to get the right attitude is to create the right culture.

"That culture extends beyond the players and coaches to the sidelines, too. The fewer instructions from parents and coaches, the more headspace the players have to influence the team and make their own decisions.

"Any initiatives to promote this are only a good thing."

Guy Mock
Manager, Huish Tigers Girls U12s