Whether a parent or a coach, how we talk to our children is what makes the huge difference regarding enjoyment of sport for our children and their desire to continue playing. As a club, we at Southern, see that is a joint responsibility with the parents of the children who join us on the pitch.
Parents can help create a positive sporting environment and reduce sport rage by being good role models. To do this:
Encourage fair play
- Cheer and acknowledge good plays by both teams
- Thank the official, coach and other team after the game.
Respect officials, coaches and opponents
- Accept decisions by officials – they are human and can make mistakes. Take a look at 7 ways how yelling at officials is hurting children infographic.
- Deal with issues in a controlled and professional manner after the game.
Keep your emotions in check
- Be enthusiastic, but don’t scream instructions from the sideline
- Don’t get into shouting matches with anyone
- Never use bad language or harass others.
Uphold your club’s code of conduct
- Understand, uphold and support your club’s code of conduct for parents.
Help kids enjoy sport
- Emphasise trying hard and having fun, not only winning
- Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake.
- Use our Let Kids Be Kids resources and videos to promote positive environments in sport.
Play By the Rules is a great information source regarding children and sport.
A reminder video from children why they play sport and how they feel about their parents/coaches behaviour, also from play by the rules.
A great article on ABC – The day a dad ruined junior sport
