Your Voice Matters... But Not This Weekend! Get Ready For National Silent Support Weekend!
This weekend, across pitches and parks nationwide, something special is happening in grassroots football. The National Silent Support Weekend is back on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th November 2025, and it's a fantastic chance to put our young players right at the heart of the beautiful game.
If you’re a parent, coach, or spectator, it’s time to listen up—and then keep quiet!
What is Silent Support Weekend?
The initiative, championed by England Football, encourages spectators to stay silent during games. Its mission is simple but profound: to create a calm, encouraging, and pressure-free environment where children can thrive, think for themselves, and truly enjoy their match.
For one weekend, we’re all asked to remove the distractions and noise from the sidelines, allowing players to find their own voices and make their own decisions on the pitch. This is their game, and this weekend, we’re letting them own it!
The Simple Rules for Spectators
For parents and supporters, your job description for the weekend is easy: Clap and smile!
| YOU CAN DO THIS! | PLEASE AVOID THIS! |
| Applause for a great effort, a good pass, a skilful move, or a fantastic save. | Shouting instructions (e.g., "Shoot!", "Pass!", "Man On!"). |
| Quiet and limited encouragement from coaches only. | Criticising players, the referee, or the opposition. |
| Simply enjoying watching the children play. | Loud cheering or anything that might pressure a player. |
Essentially, any noise that tells a player what to do, or reacts critically to a mistake, should have the weekend off.
Why Is This So Important?
Grassroots football is about development, confidence, and fun. When players are constantly being directed from the touchline, it can:
- Stop them thinking: They rely on adult shouts instead of developing crucial on-field decision-making skills.
- Increase pressure: Shouts can make the game feel stressful, especially after a mistake.
- Undermine officials: By reducing sideline shouting, we also help promote respect for referees and coaches.
With over 72,000 teams and nearly a million players expected to take part, this weekend is a powerful reminder that we support our children best when we simply let them play.
So, grab your hat, scarf, gloves, and a hot drink, stay warm, and get ready for a quieter touchline, and hopefully, a louder voice from your young star! Let’s all help make this National Silent Support Weekend a huge success!
Do you enjoy games more or less as a coach or a supporter when it's these Silent Weekends? What's the feedback from the kids?
Date For Your Diaries: The next National Silent Support Weekend is scheduled for the 14th and 15th March 2026.
