Following a trial across last season's County Cups, we've launched the 100% Positive Respect & Reward Scheme. All match officials will now be able to complete an online form to mark the levels of respect shown to them and others by players, coaches and spectators of both teams, after officiating any game in a Northumberland FA sanctioned competition. This new scheme has now started and after two weekends the average scores are:

Players 8.8 out of 10.

Coaches 9.0 out of 10

Spectators 9.3 out of 10

Amazingly, we have had 104 teams scored by referees as 10 out of 10 for players, coaches, and spectators in the two weeks of September the scheme has ran.

These early results are extremely positive, and although we have had to deal with cases of poor conduct already this season, it shows the vast majority play and support grassroots football in the correct spirit.

 REFEREE REWARDS

Every time a match official completes the online form for a game they have officiated in, they will receive an entry into a prize draw for new kit and equipment. In addition, the officials who complete the most matches where they provide Respect Marks will also receive rewards. There is £1,000 of kit and equipment to be won!

TEAM REWARDS

This scheme will also allow Northumberland FA to recognise and reward teams who consistently show high levels of respect towards match officials and support making football a positive environment for all. Negative incidents are sparce in comparison to the number of games played every week, but they take up a huge amount of resource and energy to deal with. This unfortunately leaves little space for recognising the majority who play the game the right way. Through this scheme, every month we will publicly recognise the best teams and, in both January and May, we will reward the teams with the highest average Respect Marks with another £1,000 of prizes to be won!

 Although this scheme is to recognise, reward, and promote positive behaviour in grassroots football, marks provided by match officials will also allow us to see teams who are consistently not showing respect and intervene earlier, no longer relying on a serious discipline case to bring the team to our attention.

Referee coverage across affiliated league games is a big issue facing the game across the whole country, and Northumberland is no different, as referee numbers struggle to keep up with the growth of the game.

Team numbers in Northumberland grew by 462 teams from 2016/17 - 2021/22, whereas over the same period referee numbers increased by 78. So, a potential 231 extra games played per week compared to in 2016/17, but only 78 additional referees to cover all these games, many of which are new to refereeing.

Northumberland FA trained more new referees in 2021/22 than ever before as we try and help bolster the referee workforce which is fundamental to the continued growth of the game, supporting people of all ages live active lifestyles through football. Its therefore vital that all involved in grassroots football help make the beautiful game just that, by creating an environment and atmosphere that players, referees, and spectators, will enjoy and want to continue their involvement.

How Respect Marks are awarded: