Coaches, players and spectators at all levels of AFL Queensland are being encouraged by the games governing body to be 100 percent positive this weekend.
The Statewide Positive or Pointless weekend is designed to encourage positive comments from all in the football community.
The Positive or Pointless campaign has been established by the junior football codes played in South East Queensland - AFL, Rugby League, Rugby Union and Soccer - and is designed to help build a positive culture in these sports.
Along with the governing bodies, Brisbane Lion Luke Power, Queensland State of Origin Star Cameron Smith, Australian Wallaby Berrick Barnes and Matt Mckay from the Queensland Roar have also offered their assistance in promoting the campaign.
Representatives from all codes came together to create the Footy Codes Consultative Group, and spokesperson Rex Klein believes the signs are encouraging for the future of junior football.
The Positive or Pointless campaign is a big step towards facilitating a change of culture in junior football codes to eliminate poor and unacceptable player and spectator behaviour, he said.
Posters and flyers for regarding the event have been distributed to clubs to highlight the event.
Whether the comments come from the coach, the supporters, the umpires or the players themselves, they are all being urged by the League to make all comments positive and abolish all negative comments as they are pointless.
Coaches are being asked to make their match day addresses positive, and to eliminate any criticism of players and umpires.
Likewise, players are being urged to encourage their team mates at all times and congratulate opposition players good play.
Parents are being requested to yell encouraging comments only and abolish all criticism of players, umpires or coaches, plus acknowledge good play of the opposition team.
Posters should be on display at all club canteens, with the parent handouts distributed at training and on game days.
Positive or Pointless
What you can do everyday:
- Clap and cheer and be supportive
- Offer positive comments only
- Applaud the efforts of players from both team, not just your own
- Applaud the efforts of match officials
- Respect umpires decisions and teach children to do the same
- Express your appreciation to volunteers, say please and thank you
- Focus on a childs efforts and self esteem rather that whether they win or lose
- Help make sport a fun activity to be involved in
What you cannot do ever:
- Swear or use offensive language
- Enter the field of play during the course of a match
- Approach on-field match officials before, during or after a match
- Verbally abuse, threaten, intimidate, act aggressively towards or assault match officials, team officials, clubs officials, players or spectators
- Dispute a decision of the Umpire
Why is this important?
- Children learn from your behaviour - if you behave poorly, they are more likely to behave poorly
- Without match officials there is no game
- Without volunteers there is no sport
So get out and cheer loudly but positively, support all player and officials efforts on both sides and forget the pointless stuff. This program is not seen as a one week wonder, from here it is hoped all clubs will continue to foster its worth throughout the remainder of season 2009 and beyond.
Last Modified on 20/05/2009 15:50