CUMBERLAND FA has won the Positive Football Environment Award at the 2024 County FA Recognition Awards for its Behaviour Consequence Ladder. 

The Awards, which were hosted at Wembley Stadium in London on Thursday, November 8, recognise and endorse the best projects, products, and services delivered by County FAs over the past season while sharing best practices and learnings from around the country.

Over 220 submissions were entered from across the County FA network operating across England, which includes Cumberland FA. 

At the event, Cumberland FA scooped the Positive Football Environment Award for its Behaviour Consequence ladder, which was recognised by The FA for providing a collective approach towards meeting the expected standards of conduct at grassroots matches within the county.

After winning the award, Ben Snowden, Cumberland FA's CEO said: "We are delighted to have been recognised by The FA for our Behaviour Consequence Ladder.

"Huge thanks must go to Young Elizabethan League, whose traffic light system the ladder was based on, and to our partner leagues, who were pivotal in the creation, roll out and subsequent success of the initiative.

"The vast majority of those involved within the grassroots game within Cumberland act and behave as they should. The ladder recognises this and looks to reward those who display and maintain desirable levels of behaviour.

Cumberland FA's Behaviour Consequence Ladder aims to reward teams in the region who have installed and displayed positive behaviour, with these described as level one clubs and provides incremental consequences and actions for teams that demonstrate unacceptable behaviour, with these being described as level three and level four clubs.

The ladder was developed and delivered by Cumberland FA in partnership with the Carlisle Glass Longhorn Youth Football League, The Penrith & District Junior Football League, The West Cumbria Youth Football League, and The Cumberland FA U16 Women’s League.

During the last season, 543 teams never moved from level one with only 27 teams entering the official warning level three sections whilst only one club entered level four based on two misconduct charges.

Ben Snowden said: "Like many others within the county, we care passionately about the game and think that this National recognition is not only for all of those who play their part in meeting the standards expected of them but also outlines our continued commitment in trying to ensure that everyone in Cumberland can enjoy the game in a positive and enjoyable environment."