Players from the England men’s, women’s and disability football teams have lined up together in a new video released today to support 21 Days of Positivity, as part of The FA’s ‘We Only Do Positive’ Respect campaign.

The FA’s Respect campaign seeks to improve touchline and on-pitch behaviour in youth football across the country. Research from The FA shows that 90%* of youth footballers perform better with positive encouragement. Launched today, 21 Days of Positivity asks parents and coaches involved in youth football to commit to being positive in their approach and to share their positive stories on social media with #WeOnlyDoPositive.

In a video released by The FA on ‘Blue Monday’, England Men’s Ross Barkley and Jesse Lingard, England Women’s Toni Duggan and England Blind squad member Azeem Amir talk openly about how positive encouragement impacted them at a young age, benefiting their lives and careers.

Across the 21 days, which is the period of time it takes to enact a behavioural change and form a habit, The FA will share messages of positivity on its social media channels, with England stars thanking those that have had the biggest influence on them.

England and Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard said: “I’d advise all parents to support their child when they’re playing football. At a young age, they are just playing for the fun of it. My Mum and Grandad both did a lot to help and it was a great feeling to have your family on your side.”

Nineteen-year-old England blind team midfielder Azeem Amir, said: “Blind football has changed my life in an amazing way. It is thanks to the positivity of the brilliant coaches I have around me and people like my mobility officer Dave Potter who has always believed in me that have got me to where I am today.”

Lioness and FC Barcelona star Toni Duggan, said: “Growing up, I was lucky to have a great support network in my family and coaches around me. My mum never once told me there wasn’t a future in women’s football. Without their positivity and belief, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’ll always be grateful.

There’s no doubt in my mind the importance positivity can have in early football development.”

England and Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley added, “I had a parent on the side who didn’t really comment whilst I was playing the game, she would speak afterwards and say how proud she was of how I’d performed. She was always there for me, if the weather was really bad, or my mum didn’t feel well on the day, she’d still come with me, she’d still be on the side line. I’ll always be grateful to her.”

Across the 21 Days, coaches will receive emails from The FA including hints, tips and insight in to three key themes; ‘positive environment’, ‘positive practices’ and ‘positive players’.

• To find out more about The FA Respect campaign, visit here
• Follow @England and @FA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for #21DaysofPostivity content

Players from the England Men’s Seniors, Under-21s, Women’s Seniors and Blind Squad have named the positive influences who helped to shape their early football development as part of The FA’s ‘We Only Do Positive’ Respect campaign.

The FA’s Respect campaign seeks to improve touchline and on-pitch behaviour in youth football across the country. Research from The FA shows that 90%* of youth footballers perform better with positive encouragement. Launched today, 21 Days of Positivity asks parents and coaches involved in youth football to commit to being positive in their approach and to share their positive stories on social media with #WeOnlyDoPositive. 

Raheem Sterling – England Men’s Seniors

“My Mum had a massive impact on me in terms of being a hard worker – not just in football, but everything I do in life. I try to model myself on her. Also Clive Ellington, one of my early football coaches, helped me massively to focus on [football] something that I loved doing, which was a turning point in my life.” 

Jesse Lingard – England Men’s Seniors 

“My family have stayed by my side and supported me through the ups and downs. My Mum and Grandad were always on the side line shouting “well done” or “keep your head up” and those small things go a long way, it was always a great feeling. I’d advise every parent to support their child when they’re playing football.”

Jordan Pickford – England Men’s Seniors 

“Mark Prudhoe, my first goalkeeping coach at Sunderland has had one of the biggest impacts on my career. He would always make training a fun environment which was important as a young footballer to make sure we enjoyed it. If you enjoy it first, the winning comes after.”

Ross Barkley – England Men’s Seniors 

“As a single parent my mum wasn’t fortunate enough to drive so we would get two buses into training, even when she wasn’t feeling well. She would be on the side line and would never comment whilst I was playing the game, she would speak afterwards and say how proud she was of me. I used to thrive off of a bit of positivity and it would make you feel like you’ve done the right thing.”

Dominic Solanke – England Men’s Under-21s 

“Both of my parents played a big part for me. My Dad used to take me to the park to play football and he helped me to join my first 11-a-side team. I enjoyed playing tirelessly with friends and my brother, just for the fun of it until you fall asleep!”

Reiss Nelson – England Men’s Under-21s

“A scout at Arsenal, Alan Knowles, helped me a lot during the early days of my career. I was always told to keep playing with a smile on my face, and give one hundred percent which is what I try to do now. I’ll always appreciate the support and encouragement I received from an early age.” 

Demarai Gray – England Men’s Under-21s

“My mum said when I was three I used to just kick oranges around the house. She played the most important role in my career and without her I wouldn’t be here now. What I do and what I’m trying to achieve, it’s all to pay her back for all her efforts and time.”

Ryan Sessegnon – England Men’s Under-21s

“My brother and I used to struggle to get down to the training facility at our first club, so the coach Mick used to pick us up and take us there. He always allowed us to play football without pressure which is important. There shouldn’t be any pressure at that age from anyone, you just want to continue to develop and have fun.”

Beth Mead – England Women’s Seniors 

“It was my mum who introduced me to football, but both her and my dad have been massive for me. I grew up in quite a rural area so football was difficult to come by for girls. My dad used to drive me there and my mum would take extra hours to pay for the petrol. They’ve done the early mornings and late nights – so it’s a massive thank you to them for where I am today.”

Alex Greenwood – England Women’s Seniors

“Mo Marley was a coach who was always so focused on helping people improve and would do anything for me – especially if my parents couldn’t get me to training. Andy Spence was another, he was great for me and would constantly remind me of how far I could go in the game. It’s probably down to them that I’m sitting here today as a Lioness.”

Toni Duggan – England Women’s Seniors

“My mum was always so positive when it came to me playing football. She’d be the one driving from one session to another and standing in the rain on the touchlines. My Grandad is another – my latest memory is when I was at Manchester City playing Bristol City away and he came down to see me. To travel all the way at his age, it really does mean the world to me.”

Karen Carney – England Women’s Seniors

“I went to soccer camps on Sunday mornings and my coach Rachel Pavlou was passionate about the game, she encouraged me and created a football environment for females where we could feel free and have fun. She was selfless and never took credit for it.”

Azeem Amir – England Blind Squad

“I always show a lot of gratitude to my mobility officer Dave Potter. When I came across blind football, he was the first person to say that if I were to put my mind to it and pursue it, then I could actually become a footballer. He engrained a persistence in me, and in a sense, made me see what is out there for people with visual impairments.”

Brandon Coleman – England Blind Squad 

“I originally used blind football as a release to get away from being blind. But Adam Bendall, who is the Assistant Coach for the blind squad, has helped me out a lot and I consider him more of a friend now. He was the first person to show belief in me and get me to where I am now. I credit both him and blind football for pretty much changing my life.”

Dan English – England Blind Squad  

“My little boy Finley has been an inspiration to me. Ever since he’s been around it’s made me want to go out and work harder, but also to be a better person and footballer. Every time I go out and play, it’s to make him proud.”

Owen Bainbridge – England Blind Squad

“I owe a lot to the Head Coach Jon Pugh. He’s always helped me understand what I can do and shown me that there is no such a word as can’t. It’s thanks to him and his positive coaching techniques that I often end up realising I can do more than I thought I could.”

Courtesy of the FA