Respect Starts Small

Nationwide Building Society launches its latest advertising campaign ‘Respect starts small’, promoting respect within grassroots football. Devised by agency of record, VCCP London, the campaign is part of Nationwide’s three-year partnership with The FA and communicates the importance of mutual respect in football.

‘Respect starts small’ shows how powerful it is to champion respect in the early years of childhood and also serves as an important reminder to parents of the powerful impact of positive support from the sidelines.

The new 60” film stars 11 year old Aysia, a talented young female footballer as she participates in a series of football matches with her teammates.

The creative is voiced over by Aysia herself, as she opens up candidly about the range of emotions, both positive and negative she feels when playing football, often influenced by those who are closest to her. The moving soundbites include the powerful things she tells herself when she plays, emotional ways she tries to overcome doubts on the pitch, and the words she remembers from adults that boost her confidence and allow her to play well. The creative cuts between different times of day, varying types of weather and different football kit that Aysia wears to create the feeling of a passage of time. Aysia is a representation of all the young girls who share a love and passion for the game, as she stresses how ‘girls can do what boys can do, and boys can do what girls can do.’ The thought provoking film concludes with the powerful message of ‘if we believe in them, they’ll believe in themselves.’