The Kindness Goal

Football is full of goals – scoring them, preventing them, celebrating them. Here’s a different type of goal that can boost mental wellbeing for everyone in your football community: The Kindness Goal.

Research shows that acts of kindness don’t just help the receiver – they actually boost the mental health and happiness of the person giving. In football, where emotions run high and pressure can build, intentional kindness can transform the atmosphere and strengthen our community bonds.

Your Mission For A Week

Complete one act of football kindness each day for seven days.

That’s it. Simple, achievable, and guaranteed to make a positive impact on both you and others in your football community.

For some reading this, it might seem a bit ‘airy-fairy’… BUT – exercises like these are shown to improve the overall feeling and positivity in the group/community/team/organisation in which they are used.

What Counts as a Kindness Goal?

A kindness goal is any intentional act that supports, encourages, or helps someone in your football community. It doesn’t have to be big or dramatic – often the smallest gestures have the biggest impact.

For Players:

On the Pitch:

• Help an opponent up after a tackle
• Congratulate a teammate on a good pass, not just goals
• Encourage a nervous teammate before taking a penalty
• Thank the referee at the end of the match
• Shake hands genuinely with all opponents after the game

Off the Pitch:

• Offer to carry equipment to training
• Include a new player in the conversation
• Send a supportive message to a teammate who had a tough game
• Help a younger player with their boots or kit

For Parents/Carers/Guardians (PCGs) and Spectators:

During Matches:

• Cheer for good play from both teams
• Thank the volunteers running the match
• Offer encouragement to any child who looks upset
• Help another parent carry chairs or equipment
• Praise effort and sportsmanship, not just results

Around the Club:

• Volunteer for an extra task without being asked
• Bring extra snacks to share
• Offer a lift to a family who needs transport
• Send a thank you message to coaches or volunteers
• Help set up or clear away after matches

For Coaches and Officials:

With Your Team:

• Give specific, positive feedback to each player
• Check in with a player who seems quiet or upset
• Celebrate improvement, however small
• Send encouraging messages between sessions
• Remember and ask about important events in players’ lives

With the Community:

• Thank opposing coaches for a good game
• Offer help to new coaches who seem overwhelmed
• Share resources or advice with other coaches
• Recognise volunteers publicly
• Support officials rather than questioning every decision

Daily Kindness Ideas

Monday – Appreciation Day: Focus on thanking people. Thank your coach, a teammate, a parent volunteer, or anyone who contributes to your football experience.

Tuesday – Encouragement Day: Look for someone who needs a boost. This might be a player who made a mistake, someone learning a new skill, or anyone facing a challenge.

Wednesday – Helper Day: Offer practical help. Carry equipment, set up goals, help with admin tasks, or assist someone who’s struggling with something.

Thursday – Inclusion Day: Make sure everyone feels welcome. Invite someone new to join conversations, include quieter team members, or reach out to someone sitting alone.

Friday – Recognition Day: Acknowledge someone’s efforts publicly. This could be praising a teammate in front of others, recognising a volunteer’s work, or celebrating someone’s improvement.

Saturday – Match Day Kindness: Focus on sportsmanship and positive interactions during competitive play. This is often when kindness matters most and can be hardest to remember.

Sunday – Reflection Day: Reach out to someone from your football community just to check how they’re doing. No agenda, just genuine interest in their wellbeing.

Making It Count

Keep a Simple Record – could be in the notes section in your phone):

• Each day, note what kindness goal you achieved
• How did it make you feel?
• How did the other person respond?
• What did you notice about the atmosphere around you?

Share Your Success:

• Tell family or friends about your kindness goals
• Share positive experiences with teammates
• Consider creating a team challenge where everyone participates

Notice the Ripple Effect:

• Watch how kindness spreads through your football community
• See if others start showing more kindness after experiencing yours
• Observe how the general atmosphere changes when kindness increases

Team and Club Challenges

For Teams: Challenge your entire team to complete kindness goals. Create a team chart where players can record their daily acts of kindness. At the end of the week, discuss what everyone noticed and how it felt.

For Clubs: Extend the challenge across your entire club. Encourage players, parents, coaches, and volunteers to participate. Consider creating a “Kindness Goal of the Week” recognition.

For Families: Make it a family challenge where everyone involved in football commits to daily kindness goals, both within football and in other areas of life.

Why This Works

Scientific Benefits:

• Acts of kindness release endorphins, improving mood
• Helping others reduces stress and anxiety
• Kind behaviour strengthens social connections
• Witnessing kindness inspires more positive behaviour

Football-Specific Benefits:

• Improves team cohesion and communication
• Creates a more supportive environment for learning
• Reduces conflicts and negative interactions
• Makes football more enjoyable for everyone involved
• Builds stronger club communities

Overcoming Challenges

“I don’t know what to do” Start small. A smile, a “well done,” or a “thank you” counts. Kindness doesn’t need to be complicated.

“I feel awkward doing this” That’s normal! The more you practice, the more natural it becomes. Start with people you’re comfortable with.

“What if people think it’s weird?” Genuine kindness is rarely unwelcome. Most people appreciate thoughtful gestures, even simple ones.

“I don’t have time” Most kindness goals take less than a minute. It’s about being intentional with interactions you’re already having.

After the Challenge

Once you’ve completed seven days of kindness goals, you’ll likely notice some changes:

• Increased positive interactions in your football environment
• Better relationships with teammates, coaches, or other community members
• A greater sense of connection to your football community
• Improved mood and satisfaction with your football experience

The real goal is to make kindness a natural part of your football routine, not just a weekly challenge.

Important Reminders

Kindness should always be genuine and appropriate. Respect people’s boundaries and comfort levels. Some people may be having difficult days and might not respond as expected – that doesn’t diminish the value of your gesture.

If you notice someone consistently struggling or seeming distressed, kindness goals are wonderful, but they’re not a substitute for proper support or professional help when needed. Visit The Hub of Hope if you feel this might be the case.

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The resources and support provided in The Vault are designed to promote mental wellbeing and provide general guidance on mental health related to grassroots football.

However, the content is not intended to serve as specific mental health advice or replace consultation with a trained professional. If you or someone you know requires personalised mental health support, we strongly encourage you to consult with a licensed mental health professional and/or seek appropriate services in your area.