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WSA Reminder: Positive Sidelines!
As we launch into the heart of our Fall season, we wanted to share a reminder with respect to “positive sidelines”. We are a program of players who love to compete backed by adults who are respectful and positive. Please embrace our mission as a fan by contributing to a fun and enjoyable game day experience.
To achieve this, all parents and fans must commit the below guidelines with respect to sideline etiquette at all WSA games.
- NO coaching from the sidelines. Sideline coaching confuses and makes it difficult for your player and all the players to hear and follow the instructions of their coach. Leave the coaching to the coaches please. Instead of coaching, a positive “great job”, “go team” or clap is the way to go!
- NO criticizing or engaging with referees. They will make mistakes just like we all do every day. Many referees are still young and learning. They are increasingly in short supply as the abuse they often endure is enough to push them away. Yelling or engaging with referees, questioning calls and demonstrating frustration or aggravation with referees is not appropriate, under any circumstances. Coaches will handle any necessary communications with referees at the appropriate times (half time, post game) and in the appropriate manner.
- Think twice before interacting with opposing fans and players. Use common sense, be respectful, act in a sportsmanlike manner, remember their child is also just trying to have fun, always choose the higher ground and represent yourself, WSA and Wilton positively. If your engagement with an opposing fan or player is not positive, do not engage.
- Don’t stress. If you are pacing, yelling and getting upset, please step away and take a breather. Choose the opposite approach… relax and take comfort in the benefits of your child’s participation in the game.
- Save coach discussions for another day. Coaches are doing their best and managing the game in real time. Take the time to consider your need for a discussion with coach and speak with them away from the game day and in an environment that allows for constructive dialogue, without the influence or presence of your player, other players or other families.
Focus on the benefits of the game for your player, not the score or result.
Win, lose or draw, every game is an opportunity for our children to have fun, get exercise, be good teammates, show sportsmanship, compete, learn and grow. This is all that matters.
Please note:
- Incidents of negative or disruptive behavior towards coaches, referees, any players (Wilton or opponents)
- Should be submitted for review to the Parent Managers, respective VP of Travel and WSA’s Parent Liaison/ WSA Board of Directors.
- Complaints received from other teams or the League with respect to Wilton parent misbehavior will require inquiry and possible repercussions for parents and possibly their players to be decided by WSA Board of Directors or by League as appropriate.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at
Eileen Allers
WSA Parent Liaison
Silent Sidelines Weekends
Each Fall and Spring playing season the Board of Directors shall sponsor a statewide Silent Sidelines weekend. Coaches will be permitted to give players direction from the sidelines. Spectators will be directed to refrain from making any comments to players, coaches or referees, but will be permitted to applaud efforts by players." Referees are not responsible for the enforcement of this rule. It is the clubs responsibility to inform your spectators of the guidelines for Silent Sidelines.
The Spring Silent Sidelines weekend will be:
Spring: third weekend of May
Fall: third weekend of October
The goals of Silent Sidelines Weekend are to:
1. develop our players to make decisions on the field without sideline intervention.
2. improve the players' communication on the field by reducing the outside noise level.
3. support our youth referees by eliminating dissension from the sidelines.
Your help is needed. We are asking everyone in CJSA to promote and support Silent Sidelines Weekend and give the game back to the kids.
The below message is a modification of Andrea Duffy's May '02 CJSA Presidents Message.
A mother was making a breakfast of fried eggs for her teenage son. Suddenly the boy bursts into the kitchen.
"Careful! Careful! Put in some more butter! Oh my goodness! You're cooking too many at once. TOO MANY! Turn them! TURN THEM NOW! We need more butter. Oh my! WHERE are we going to get MORE BUTTER? They're going to STICK! Careful!... CAREFUL! I said CAREFUL! You NEVER listen to me when you're cooking! Never! Turn them! Hurry up! Are you crazy? Have you lost your mind? Don't forget to salt them. You know you always forget to salt them. Use the salt. USE THE SALT! THE SALT!"
The mother stared at him. "What's wrong with you? You think I don't know how to fry a couple of eggs?"
The son calmly replied, "I just wanted to show you what it feels like when I'm trying to play soccer."
WSA’s mission is to positively contribute to the growth of children and our community by reinforcing values such as sportsmanship, teamwork, integrity and respect for others through a range of fun and high quality soccer experiences.
