Parents sidelined in Yarra Junior Football League’s bold move

A Melbourne-based junior football league has confirmed it will restrict parents from the field at quarter breaks this year. Here’s why.

Parents of one of Melbourne’s biggest junior football competitions are set to be sidelined at breaks this year in a bid to stamp out poor behaviour and improve the match-day experience.

The Yarra Junior Football League (YJFL) comprises of more than 11,000 participants across 32 clubs and is set to restrict parents from entering the field at quarter-time and three-quarter time as it aims to create a “welcoming and inclusive” environment for players, coaches and umpires.

The YJFL is aiming to improve the experience for its 11,000-strong participants. Picture: Rob Leeson.

YJFL chief executive officer Aaron Bailey said his league wasn’t the first to adopt the move, but disputed it was a “ban” of parents.

He added growing numbers of participation meant many games fixtured on the same ground on match-day could keep to schedule.

“It’s not a ban of parents – it’s designed to create a welcoming and inclusive match-day environment,” Bailey said.

“Frankston (junior football league) does it, Outer East does it, lots of leagues do it.

“At quarter-time and three-quarter time it’s just the players only on the ground, and parents can go on the ground at half-time and the time in between games.

“For us it’s allowing coaches to coach and making sure that with increased fixtures that we have that we can get through the scheduling on match-day, and that we don’t have anyone approaching umpires.

“It’s one of a number of initiatives in creating a positive and engaging match-day experience.”

Bailey said parent behaviour at junior football had been a consideration amid growing concern, while player retention remained a priority.

“There has been a concern around the deteriorating behaviour of adults attending junior football,” he said.

“That’s why we’re looking to implement a number of initiatives designed around making the match-day experience as enjoyable for the kids playing in our league as possible.

“The retention of kids in sport is our priority so that they learn to love the game and become fans of the game, but they need to feel safe and have an opportunity to play in different positions and be on the ground to be able to play.”

Leagues and governing bodies met earlier this year to discuss ways to improve junior football for its participants according to Bailey.

“The game-day experience for kids is a focus for every competition,” Bailey said.

“There was a conference at the start of the year with all the major leagues and state bodies around addressing this, and implementing strategies that create a safe, inclusive, welcoming environment for the kids is absolutely at the core of our thinking.”