Cumberland Football Association has been recognised for its work to promote a positive environment in the game.
The association has been handed the Positive Football Environment Award at the 2024 County FA Recognition Awards for its Behaviour-Consequence Ladder.
The awards, at Wembley Stadium, recognise and endorse the best projects, products and services delivered by county FAs over the past season while sharing best practice and learning from around the country.
Over 220 submissions were entered from across the county FA network operating across England, highlighting continuous improvements and showcasing how they are innovating to improve grassroots football and increase participation across all levels of the game.
Cumberland FA’s Behaviour-Consequence ladder, which was recognised by The FA for providing a collective approach towards meeting the expected standards of conduct at grassroots matches within the county.
The Behaviour-Consequence Ladder aims to reward teams who have installed and displayed positive behaviour, through monthly congratulatory emails and prize draws.
At the same time, it also provides clear, incremental consequences and actions for teams that demonstrate unacceptable behaviour throughout the season with a view to working with the leagues and clubs to educate, support and improve behaviour.
If standards are continuously not met then this could result in a team’s membership of leagues being voted upon by member clubs at a special general meeting and that team being removed from the league.
The ladder was developed and delivered in partnership with the Carlisle Glass Longhorn Youth Football League, The Penrith & District Junior Football League, The West Cumbria Youth Football League, and The Cumberland FA U16 Women’s League and sees teams moving up and down the rungs, depending upon their standard of behaviour, linked to FA Respect marks, matchday visits, and proven discipline cases.
During last season, 543 teams never moved from Level 1 (which was classed as good/desirable behaviour), with only 27 teams entering Level 3 (which was the first official warning section and based on a single misconduct charge) and from there only one team went onto Level 4 (second official step and based on two misconduct charges).
Ben Snowdon, CEO of Cumberland FA and lead officer for the project said: “We are delighted to have been recognised by The FA for our Behaviour-Consequence Ladder.
“Huge thanks must go to Young Elizabethan League, whose traffic light system the ladder was the based on, and to our partner leagues, who were pivotal in the creation, roll out and subsequent success of the initiative.
“The vast majority of those involved within the grassroots game within Cumberland act and behave as they should. The ladder recognises this and looks to reward those who display and maintain desirable levels of behaviour.
“However, there are a small percentage of people/teams who demonstrate undesirable behaviour. The ladder encourages that responsibility is taken for any such incidents. It then ensures that appropriate actions are taken collectively by the county FA, the league, and the clubs to try to mitigate against this behaviour being repeated in the future.
“But most importantly, it outlines that there will be clear consequences for any unacceptable behaviour, including a team being removed from a league and therefore unable to play football.
“Like many others within the county, we care passionately about the game and think that this National recognition is not only for all of those who play their part in meeting the standards expected of them, but also outlines our continued commitment in trying to ensure that everyone in Cumberland can enjoy the game in a positive and enjoyable environment.”
