AFC Sudbury will be supporting the Suffolk FA's first 'Silent Weekend', which is being staged across the Suffolk county this weekend.The event hopes to encourage spectators, parents and coaches to 'let the players play' in some of the region's youth leagues, and hoping to improve adult behaviour at youth games this weekend.
Spectators will be expected to refrain from shouting or communicating with the players, coaches or officials, with Adult Ambassadors expected to be present at each ground.
The leagues involved include the Ipswich and Suffolk Youth League, the South Suffolk Youth League, Norfolk and Suffolk Youth League, the Suffolk FA Ways and the Suffolk FA Monday Night Football League - with roughly 22 divisions in those leagues, ranging from under-7's, to under-16's.
The following will hope to be performed during the weekend (21st-23rd Feb 2015):
- All clubs involved in Suffolk FA 4v4 festival’s to sign up
- All clubs to manage this initiative internally and ensure total adherence
- Where possible an Adult Ambassador to be present at every game
- All adults to refrain from any shouting or direct communication with players
- Quiet discussion between adults only
- Applause for both teams
- Parents to refrain from ‘advising’ coaches
- Parents/coaches to refrain from ‘advising’ or questioning referees
- Every Youth League to sign up to the silent weekend
- Suffolk FA 11v11 Adult Monday Night Football to sign up
A similar scheme set up by the Lancashire FA in March 2014, which proved successful at youth clubs around the Bolton area.
The Norfolk FA hinting plans at a similar scheme at Norfolk clubs, later this year, if the Suffolk Silent Weekend concludes with good results.
AFC Sudbury will support this scheme at the club's youth games this weekend.