New Traffic Light System to Monitor Behaviour within Adult Leagues in Cumberland
The Carlisle City Sunday League, Cumberland County League, and West Cumberland Sunday League are ready to shine a Red Light to stop poor behaviour in its tracks.
Whilst the majority of football within Cumberland continues to be played within a positive environment and without any real incidents, it cannot be denied that this is not the perception within the game and that the number of cases of poor behaviour being reported has marginally increased recently.
Cumberland FA Adult Leagues have therefore come together, supported by the County FA, to look at a way of working collectively to monitor teams' levels of behaviour against expected standards within the County.
The Traffic Light System is based on the new original idea that inspired the CFA's Nationally Recognised Behaviour Ladder, and uses FA Disciplinary Penalty Points, which were changed this season to focus on behavioural offences such as dissent.
All teams start the season in Green, moving through the lights if they accumulate Penalty Points and pass certain thresholds throughout the season.
The system will look to reward teams who are good to go and remain within green by entering these teams into a monthly draw for a £50 voucher to kitlocker.com.
However, it also recognises that there must be consequences for teams that consistently demonstrate undesirable behaviour, have examples of unacceptable behaviour, or refuse to take any responsibility or proactive action to address any such incidents throughout the course of the season.
It is a staged approach which would see the lights change for teams who accumulate a specific number of points throughout the season. At each change of the lights there are increasingly serious sanctions and actions/responses required of the teams, until ultimately, at red, a teams' affiliation can be frozen or removed, meaning that, that team will completely stop and cannot play football.
The lights are as follows:
| Level 1 - GREEN | All good to go and continue (0-24 points) |
| Level 2 - FLASHING AMBER | Be Aware. Think about things and how you can address any issues before they become more serious. Clubs/Teams will receive a warning letter, but no official action and can continue to play (25-49 points) |
| Level 3 - AMBER | Prepare to Stop. Clubs/Teams will be charged, given a fine, and requested to meet with CFA/league to discuss how this will be addressed through an agreed action plan (50-99 points) |
| Level 4 - RED | Stop – The Club/Team will be charged and asked to attend an FA disciplinary commission to outline proactive and significant actions that it has taken to address the problem. Commission has the power to, among other things such as fining the club, to stop that team from playing. |
The league and County FA will have a role to play in offering support to teams and clubs to address any issues and hopefully ensure that teams do not progress to the next stage of the system.
You can find out more about the scheme and see each level in more detail below:
Ben Snowdon, CEO and Lead Officer for Positive Football Environments said:
“We are delighted to be working with our adult leagues and thank the committee members for their input in developing the Traffic Light System and foresight in embracing such an initiative.
"I have spoken before to say that I believe, based on our discipline data and reports, we are talking about a small, vocal, minority that cause issues within the grassroots game within Cumberland. So, whilst it is important to me that this scheme recognises and rewards those that are well behaved and create a positive environment for all, it is vital this programme and its incremental sanctions for repeated poor behaviour, demonstrates how serious we take this matter and further emphasises our commitment to dealing with those who bring our game into disrepute.
"To make any difference in this space we need everyone to play their part and to take responsibility for the undesirable and unacceptable behaviour that tarnishes our beautiful game.
"We need your help to make this problematic few take responsibility for their actions, and to help them understand the consequences that what they say and how they act have on the overall enjoyment of those around them and the fact that their actions may stop people from continuing their involvement.
"Together, we can protect the game and ensure that more people become involved and remain within the game, in whatever capacity, and therefore have the chance to experience its unique power to deliver amazing benefits to individuals and their respective communities.”