?SSHH? weekend approaches

Associations such as Canterbury, the Eastern Suburbs, Ku-ring-gai and Wagga Wagga will aim to encourage responsible sideline behaviour by spectators to raise money for The Shepherd Centre.
A record 75 clubs have agreed to participate in the 2009 ?SSHH? weekend, with the total number of teams involved to eclipse more than 2,300.
Furthermore, 300 referees from the Ku-ring-gai District Football Referees Association will contribute part of their match fees to the cause.
According to Football NSW Board Member Michael Webber, the SSHH Day initiative is very timely given community concerns about what can sometimes be described as over-zealous support from the sidelines.
?This is a wonderful initiative that will allow the kids to express themselves on the field entirely through their sport. It?s intended to be a calm, player-focused day where the game and the kids take centre stage, rather than the reactions of the fans,? said Mr Webber.
Football NSW CEO Michael Quarmby supports and applauds The Shepherd Centre?s SSHH campaign and sees it as beneficial to not only football but to all other sports.
?The SSHH campaign aims to not only educate spectators of a particular sport, but also encourages further participation in sport by creating a positive attitude amongst the spectators who turn out to watch and support their team or individual,? said Mr Quarmby.
Executive Manager of Commercial Services at Football NSW, Tony Peters reinforces the views of Mr Quarmby stating that the The Shephard Centre?s SSHH campaign will significantly help the sport of football by educating spectators in what is responsible behavior.
?Football matches come hand-in-hand with passionate supporters, however more often than not these supporters are parents so it is important we manage and educate them as best possible in what is appropriate behavior at the football.?
Spectators on this weekend who attend games will be issued with a SSHH sticker and asked to donate to a worthy cause. The team managers and volunteers who will be watching closely for any parental indiscretions will be also handing out individual educational sheets to all spectators. A gold coin donation/fine will apply for any loud utterances addressed to players or officials during the game. All the money raised from the weekend will go directly to The Shepherd Centre.
The Shepherd Centre is one of Australia?s leading early intervention agencies which assists deaf children to listen and speak ? so they know more than any organisation how ?Silent Sidelines Help Hearing?.
According to The Shepherd Centre?s CEO Anthea Green, The Shepherd Centre is very pleased to be the beneficiary of the initiative.
?We are thrilled that an initiative like this can also support the hearing impaired children of ?The Shepherd Centre? learn to listen and speak and join mainstream schools? said Ms Green.
For any further information regarding the 2009 ?SSHH? weekend, please contact FNSW Board Member  Michael Webber office 02 8256 5588  mobile  0433 100 022