Here at Reading City Football Club, We Only Do Positive and are proud to offer our youngsters a safe, fun and inclusive environment for them to enjoy their football and develop.

We are therefore delighted to once again, support the FA’s National Silent Support Weekend as it returns, the initiative is aimed at promoting good behaviour on touchlines across grassroots youth football.

Across the country grassroots football league’s are being invited to take part in the initiative between Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th March by choosing to run games with the coach voice only, or to run games that are completely silent, with the emphasis on positive support.

The aim of the National Silent Support Weekend is to reduce pressure on youth players at grassroots level and give them a better opportunity and environment to find their own voice, improve their on-pitch communications skills, develop their own game, and most importantly have fun.

During Silent Support Weekend, applause from spectators for good play – and quiet encouragement from coaches – is welcome. Spectators are being encouraged to refrain from talking or shouting, with coaches supporting the players as they need to. This is to create an enjoyable, safe and developmental experience for all youth players, so that they can play the game with freedom, without pressure, and without an over-emphasis on winning at all costs.

Watch the above video to find out more.