All stakeholders of youth football have been strongly urged to attend a special congress meeting at Young Men's Social Club (YMSC) next week as part of Bermuda Football Association's (BFA) crackdown on the "negative behaviour" that is rife in the sport today at all levels.

In a letter forwarded to The Royal Gazette, BFA president Richard Calderon wrote: "I am writing to you regarding negative behaviour taking place within youth football since the beginning of the season.

"Some incidents have been witnessed by members of the BFA Executive Council while some incidents have been discussed in the community by others, including parents and supporters of youth football."

Calderon was alluding to complaints of unsporting and aggressive behaviour, foul language and a lack of guidance by coaches and referees which are having a negative effect on football in Bermuda.

"Needless to say, the incidents of unsporting behaviour, lack of fair play, aggressive behaviour and foul language, lack of control by coaches and untrained referees who lack control over matches only seek to undermine the positive impact youth football has on our community," he continued.

In an all-out blitz to curb the growing trend of unruliness, Calderon's administration have concentrated their efforts at the grassroots level where they are determined to nip the problem in the bud.

"We will address this issue during the upcoming special congress meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, December 15 at the YMSC commencing at 6.30 p.m.," he added.

Local football's governing body also plan to arrange a follow-up meeting to "engage in real dialogue and arrive at workable solutions" with club presidents/secretarys, youth football co-ordinators, club technical directors, youth team coaches as well as parents.

All groups concerned are being urged to attend both meetings.

"We hope that you will take this invitation to attend the meeting knowing that it is the desire and mandate of the BFA Executive Council to create a real partnership with you in order to maintain a high degree of social order and provide a healthy environment for competitive interaction among our youth players," added Calderon.

"Significant strides have been made over the years to arrest the decline in youth football. And although we are not to the level that we want to be, your efforts will have a direct impact on the future of youth football."

As part of its mandate to raise standards at the youth level, the BFA plan to recruit a youth director and a youth and development co-ordinator who will both work closely with technical director Derek Broadley.

The BFA also plan to increase the level of football activity in the school curriculum with the association's technical staff and Ministry of Education and Development staff leading the charge.

Having recognised the positive influence football can have on young people, the association have also pledged to develop and implement support and social programmes such as a player mentoring programme, a parent support programme and a national training board school programme among other initiatives geared towards the development of future generations of local footballers.