The FA have announced the fourth year of its Respect and Fair Play Awards and has called on the game’s unsung heroes across Hampshire to share their success stories.
Since 2009, The FA has annually recognised the outstanding achievements of individuals, clubs, leagues and organisations at all levels of football that have committed themselves to seeing the game played in a fair, safe and enjoyable way.
And in its landmark 150th anniversary year, The FA are again seeking nominations which can come from a third party or the individual, club, county football association or league themselves.
FA Chairman David Bernstein said: “The Respect Awards recognise the clubs, leagues and individuals at all levels of the game that have set and maintained high standards or who have experienced difficult days and taken it upon themselves to do something about it.
“Through education, promotion, campaigning but mostly dogged perseverance they will have set a standard of behaviour which has changed for the better the conduct of teams and individuals.
“The FA will, this year, celebrate its 150th anniversary. Whilst football has changed almost beyond recognition over the years, the values of respect and fair play that it started out with in 1863 remain of crucial importance to The FA and the health of the national game.”
One of the Respect Awards on offer links the contribution of an individual with one of England’s greatest football ambassadors, Bobby Moore, who played the game with a dignity that still sets an example today.
Football in this country cannot take place without the structure offered by its league programme and leagues tend to have a close and influential relationship with their clubs.
For this reason The FA will reward those leagues that have promoted respect and fair play at a county, regional and national level with attractive prizes on offer including guest tickets at this year’s FA Cup Final.
Nominations for The FA’s 2012/13 Respect and Fair Play Awards must be submitted online via http://www.thefa.com/respectawards
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