Smokefree Sidelines
Smokefree Sidelines initiative in Berks & Bucks
Smokefree Sidelines is a new exciting collaboration between Berks & Bucks FA, Buckinghamshire Council's Public Health department and the Public Health departments of local authorities within Berkshire.
This initiative is well established in a number of different areas already including Oxfordshire, Norfolk, Hull and Lancashire.
As the governing body of football in the region, we aim to introduce a culture of Smokefree Sidelines across Berks & Bucks, to encourage harm reduction to those exposed to smoking.
Children and young people are at risk the more they are exposed to smoke and the acceptance of smoking in our society.
Furthermore, young people are most at risk of becoming smokers themselves if they grow up in communities where smoking is the norm. One approach to tackle this is to make places where children and young people regularly visit smoke-free.
Smoking remains the biggest cause of preventable deaths in Berkshire & Buckinghamshire and we know smoking often starts as a childhood addiction.
The move for clubs to adopt a Smokefree Sidelines Policy complements existing club policies and supports your clubs desire to create a healthy family-friendly environment. We believe that such an environment and image will be valuable in attracting new members and positively promoting the club within your local community.
Together we aim to:
• Work collectively and individually, to actively promote Smokefree Sidelines to provide healthy, safe places that give everyone a chance to perform at their best in their chosen sport or activity.
• To educate members of your club including children and young people about the dangers of smoking and the short- and long-term health consequences of smoking.
• Support smokers to know where they can access help to quit smoking.
Adopting Smokefree Sidelines is not about targeting smokers unfairly, but more about asking current smokers to be aware of their visibility to children who may see them smoking.
The idea is to encourage smokers to either refrain from smoking during the match or to move away from the sidelines, and smoke where children and young adults are not present.
As a sports club involved in creating positive environments for wellbeing, we want to help you to support your members and supporters who want to consider quitting. This is done through ongoing promotion and development as active role models to the children and young people involved in your club.
What Support Will You Receive?
By signing up to our Smokefree Sidelines Policy you will receive the following:
• A prewritten policy for your club to adopt
• Promotional material for use in correspondence and marketing materials
• Free Smokefree Sidelines resources for games and training days in and around the club setting
• There is no cost to the club
How To Get involved
If you would like to sign your club up to this important initiative please, download, sign and return a copy of the relevant policy (based on your local, Berkshire or Buckinghamshire) and the Campaign Materials forms found below and return to Graham Fisher at Safeguarding@Berks-BucksFA.com.
Berkshire Clubs
Berkshire Smokefree Sidelines Policy
Berkshire Campaign Materials Order Form
Buckinghamshire Clubs
Buckinghamshire Smokefree Sidelines Policy
Buckinghamshire Campaign Materials Order Form
Who's Signed Up Already?
Ardington and Lockinge (Through Oxfordshire FA)
Aston Clinton
Aylesbury United Ladies and Girls
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos
Beaconsfield Town Youth
Burghfield
Burnham FC
Chalfont Saints
Cold Ash
Didcot Casuals (Through Oxfordshire FA)
Faringdon Town (Through Oxfordshire FA)
Flackwell Heath Minors
Gerrards Cross and Fulmer
Grove Challengers (Through Oxfordshire FA)
Hanslope Hornets
Hazelmere Youth Community
Holmer Green
Hungerford Town Juniors
Kennington Athletic (Through Oxfordshire FA)
Maidenhead United Juniors
Pinewood
Radley Youth (Through Oxfordshire FA)
Stoke Mandeville
Thatcham Tornados
Whitegrove and Warfield
Windsor Youth
Wingrave Juniors
Wokingham and Emmbrook