Dear Parents and Players,

Recently, the ECNL proudly launched the Red Isn't Your Color™ campaign, a powerful league-wide initiative aimed at promoting fair play, sportsmanship, and reducing the instances of red cards associated with foul language and inappropriate behavior in youth soccer. This campaign aligns deeply with the values that guide our club and the league's mission to foster a positive and exemplary environment for all participants. We are excited to share this campaign with you and outline how you can contribute to its success.

About the Campaign

Red Isn’t Your Color™ is an extension of the ECNL’s commitment to Raise The Game, setting higher standards of conduct and excellence within youth sports. This campaign encourages players, coaches, parents, and fans to embody the best version of themselves, both on and off the field, demonstrating leadership, character, and respect in the intense and passionate moments that are part of the sport.

To raise awareness, the ECNL will be releasing educational videos aimed at helping all stakeholders understand why red cards and poor sideline behavior negatively impact teams and athletes. Our club, Columbus Force SC (CFSC), will actively participate by sharing these videos and campaign-related graphics on social media. We encourage everyone to view, engage with, and share these materials to amplify this important message throughout our community.

How to Get Involved

A crucial element of the Red Isn't Your Color™ campaign is the pledge created by the ECNL. This pledge can be signed by athletes, coaches, parents, and any supporters who wish to demonstrate their commitment to promoting fair play and good sportsmanship. By signing the pledge, your family can contribute to a culture of respect and positive conduct that benefits every player and supporter involved in youth soccer. We hope you will take this meaningful step and sign the pledge as a family.

Reinforcing CFSC Standards

The goals of the Red Isn't Your Color™ campaign resonate strongly with the standards we uphold in our CFSC Player & Parent Handbook.

Player Expectations:

• Exhibit good sportsmanship and respect for the game at all times.
• Remember that your behavior reflects on you, your family, your coach, your team, and the club.

Parent Expectations:

• Use self-control on the sidelines and promote good sportsmanship when interacting with parents and players from our teams, opposing teams, referees, and tournament officials.
• Note that Cleveland Force Officers reserve the right to remove or suspend parents who demonstrate poor sportsmanship or cause inappropriate disturbances at their sole discretion.

Our Call to Action

We are grateful for the continuous support you show for our club and the ECNL. Your commitment to embodying the values of the Red Isn't Your Color™ campaign will help create a safe, respectful, and inspiring environment for our players. Let’s collectively work towards an atmosphere where character and sportsmanship define the game.

Thank you for joining us in this important effort and supporting the mission to make youth soccer the best it can be.

Sincerely,
Cleveland Force SC

Link to ECNL Red Isn't Your Color Press Release