May & Baker Eastbrook Community Under 13s Coach, Matt Lovell, has urged local grassroots coaches to download and share a new range of #PlayYourPart ‘Matchday Environment’ resources, available now via our website, to establish the best possible inclusive environment for everyone involved with the game.

One of the key pieces of feedback received during the consultation process for our new #MovingForward 2028 Strategy was a need for greater emphasis on improving the matchday experience. As a direct result, we've refreshed our #PlayYourPart pack to make it more engaging and shareable for grassroots clubs, referees, spectators, coaches and players.

“It’s very positive, and exactly what I think all coaches should be looking to do for players developing a love for the game,” said Lovell. “I want players to fall in love with the game that I love, and the only way to do that is through enjoyment, through fun and educational learning, buying into their needs as players for their development pathway, but also making it fun. If they find it fun, they’re going to want to come back, and that’s what’s important to me.”

We want to say a big thank you to all the coaches who support the game across Essex. Coaches are vital to football, and to creating a positive environment. Good coaches are role models, advocates of fair play, supportive, teachers, caring and emotionally-balanced. They are leaders, and their behaviours are modelled by those around them.

Good coaches are not unfair, negative, intimidating, unapproachable or over-critical. Good coaches value the safety, respect, learning and engagement of everyone involved. The more positive their behaviour, the more likely their players are to be positive, to respect the opposition and referees, to support each other, to work harder and to compete. The new resources include:

Videos: Five animated #PlayYourPart videos on YouTube. The voiceovers for all of these have been provided by BBC Essex presenters, who are proud to support the #PlayYourPart campaign.

Infographics: The videos are aligned with new infographics, which are easy to download and share via social media and messaging apps like WhatsApp. They can also be printed to feature in clubhouses, changing rooms and noticeboards etc.

Matchday Environment Pack: This has been re-created with all the useful information from the previous edition, but in a more concise format, which also includes all of the infographics in one place. These will guide participants to ensure the matchday environment is the best it can be.

BBC Essex are supporting the re-launch of the new resources, and presenters Sonia Watson, Victoria Polley, Rob Jelly, Ben Fryer and Ian Puckey provided the video voiceovers. Victoria, BBC Essex Sports Editor, commented: “Essex is home to a thriving grassroots football community and, at BBC Essex, we recognise the importance of fairness and respect at all levels in the game, which is why we’re proud to have partnered with the Essex County FA on this project.”

Be part of the reason why people love the game, not leave the game. Be a positive role model. Play your part. You can access the new #PlayYourPart Matchday Environment resources by following this link and you can also find us on X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.