Managers of Premiership and Football League clubs will join together on the weekend of March 22nd and 23rd, 2003 to back The FA's Goal project for child protection and best practice.

Leading figures in the game will speak about putting children first. They will talk about ensuring children can play football in a safe and positive environment, free from bullying, violence or sexual abuse.

The managers will wear FA Goal badges and write in match programmes on the importance of putting child protection at the top of their agenda.

LMA chief executive John Barnwell said, "We believe this is vitally important to the future of our game. There are enough pressures at the top level and plenty of times when winning seems to matter above all else. But that should not be the case for ten year olds playing on the park at the weekend or a teenager in a school match. We all know how easy it is to get carried away, but The FA's message here is about putting children first. Letting them enjoy the game. Of course it's about good coaching too, and making sure everything at a club is done properly. That's why our members are keen to support Goal."

Tony Pickerin, The FA's Head of Education and Child Protection, said, "The managers of our professional clubs are the local heroes. They are the people that football fans all over the country watch, from the Premiership to the Third Division of the Nationwide League. That's why the backing of the managers is so important. What they say and do is respected by volunteers who help make football possible for millions of children."

The FA's Goal project has already seen 40,000 people complete Child protection and best practice courses. The FA's goal is to have someone at every club in the country taking responsibility for child protection.