MORE than 400 teams across the county have signed up for the Suffolk FA Silent Weekend sponsored by Total Football this Saturday and Sunday.

A total of 406 teams spanning 36 clubs have already committed to supporting the weekend from Beccles to Haverhill and including Coplestonians, Felixstowe & Walton Youth, Ipswich Valley Rangers and Locomotive Laxfield.

To support Silent Weekend, participants don’t need to remain silent but show positive encouragement, while there are no direct instructions from parents or coaches.

Big events over the course of the weekend include an Under-7 4v4 Festival at Brantham Leisure Centre on Saturday morning, a Suffolk Girls’ & Women’s 4v4 Festival at Felixstowe & Walton United’s Goldstar Ground on Saturday morning, The FA Peoples Cup and the SIL Ability Counts League FA People’s Cup, which are all at Goals in Ipswich over both days.

Suffolk FA staff will be visiting various clubs around Suffolk over the weekend.

Any teams or clubs wishing to sign up can still do so by clicking here

Suffolk FA Football Development Officer Jodie Allard said: “We are really pleased to see Silent Weekend returning for its fourth season.

“The fact that we have over 400 of Suffolk’s clubs and leagues signed up to the weekend is a great testament to the volunteers and parents who strive to make positive match environments within grassroots football in the county.

“Our overall aim is to give players the best possible experience within their football environments and we thank everyone for their support of the weekend, and encourage them to continue promoting these key messages across the season.”

Suffolk FA Mini & Youth Soccer Football Development Officer James Morley said: “We are looking forward to our fourth Silent Weekend which is our Respect weekend, where we encourage clubs to create an environment where the players make their own decisions on the football field and allow player ownership in the selection of the team.

“We invite all teams, clubs and leagues in Suffolk to be a part of this weekend and help us create the Best Football Experience.”

Like last year, Suffolk FA will be running a competition for the best photographs taken over Silent Weekend.

The overall winner will receive some football equipment and the top three photographs will take it in turn to be our Twitter banner for one week each.

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is to post your photograph on social media, copying in @suffolkfa and using at least one of the following hashtags: #OneClearVoice #SW2018 #PlayerOwnership # BestFootballExperience