The Cumberland FA is preparing for another Silent Support Weekend this month.
It has confirmed that all the affiliated youth leagues have signed up for the upcoming event on November 15 and November 16.
Carlisle Glass Longhorn Youth League, Cumberland FA U16 Girls League, the Penrith and District Youth Football League and the West Cumbria Youth League will all take part.
Silent Support Weekend is a national two days of action, which aims to promote good behaviour on touchlines across grassroots youth football.
Clubs are being invited to take part in the weekend by choosing to run games with the coach’s voice only, or to run games that are completely silent, with the emphasis on positive support.
Silent Support Weekend has been created to reduce pressure on youth players at grassroots level and give them a better opportunity and environment to find their own voice, improve their on-pitch communication skills, develop their own game, and – most importantly – have fun.
During Silent Support Weekend, applause from spectators for good play, and quiet encouragement from coaches, is welcome.
Spectators are being encouraged to refrain from talking or shouting, with coaches supporting players as they need to.
This is to create an enjoyable, safe, and developmental experience for all youth players, so that they can play the game with freedom, without pressure, and without an over-emphasis on winning at all costs.
