A local youth football club is wearing Respect on their sleeves this season as they promote The FA programme across Norfolk.
Gorleston Youth were given a green light by The FA to have the Respect logo sewn onto their kit and the club’s U9 side debuted the new look when they travelled to Kirkley & Pakefield for a League Cup fixture recently.
Club secretary, James Lawson, commented: “All managers at Gorleston Youth FC are fully aware of what the Respect programme involves and we will be actively implementing it at all of our games.
“The team are proud to have attained the League’s Sporting Award for the previous two seasons, and so, in this sense, we are fully supportive of the Respect programme and what it aims to achieve.”
Last month saw The FA and Football Foundation launch their Designated Spectator Area Respect Barriers in Yorkshire with both Stuart Pearce and Howard Webb and Gorleston trialled the new barrier in their game against Kirley & Pakefield.
“The Respect barrier worked to great effect, giving the players more room for throw-ins and allowing them to concentrate on the game,” said Lawson.
“It also acted as a physical barrier, reminding spectators of their designated area and the message of the campaign on a wider level.”
Norfolk FA’s Respect Officer, Raffi Coverdale, added: “In incorporating the Respect logo on their new kit, Gorleston Youth have shown great initiative in looking to promote programme.
“Respect aims to tackle the issues that people involved in the game want to see addressed. Both the club and the league have shown their desire to freely throw their weight behind the programme.
“It’s a great example of the positive steps being taken by our clubs in Norfolk to ensure Respect is a success.”