Spectating children’s sport
As parents and carers, you always want the best for your child. This can mean wanting them to win their local sporting match.
You and your child have likely invested time and effort into your child’s participation, and you want to see them rewarded for it.
However, things don’t always go the way you or your child anticipate.
It's important to understand that sporting and community sporting clubs do their best to keep children active, involved and having fun. Understanding your role as a supportive spectator can make a big different to yours and other children’s experiences.
Below are some tips for you as a parent on the sidelines of sport and how inappropriate behaviour can affect your child’s development.
Tips for parents supporting from the sidelines
Understand it is your child’s game and not yours
Parents are unlikely to contribute to the outcome of the game by displaying inappropriate behaviour on the sideline.
Let kids be kids! They are learning and developing in a sport that may be new to them or their teammates.
Avoid a ‘win at all costs’ mentality
Winning isn’t the most important thing in children’s sport. When parents and carers put too much pressure on their children to win every game, it creates unnecessary stress and unrealistic expectations. This pressure can also take away enjoyment of the sport and discourage children from continuing to play.
It is important that children are having fun, developing new skills and being active with friends. This allows them to learn and grow in a safe environment.
Be a positive role model
No matter how involved you are with a sporting club, your actions and behaviour play an important role in shaping the culture and environment your child is a part of.
Children are always watching and learning from others, especially their parents and carers. By being a good role model, you can teach your child what appropriate behaviour around the sporting field looks like.
Be aware of your language
Be aware of the language you use when supporting your child. You can foster a positive sporting environment by being respectful towards parents, coaches, officials and players from the sideline. Swearing, abusive or negative comments are never okay, even if they are not directed at anyone in particular.
When discussing the game with your child or others, keep feedback positive. Focus on their efforts and progressing skills rather than the result.
Respect referees, coaches and officials
Referees, coaches and officials are also humans doing their best. They give up their own time, often as volunteers, to allow sporting matches to take place. It is never okay to abuse or yell at referees or coaching staff.
Organised sport relies on retaining officials. It is important to treat them with respect, appreciation and kindness to allow your child to continue playing their chosen sport.
Understand abusive behaviour may be against the law
Most sporting clubs have a code of conduct. By entering a venue or field, spectators and players agree with the terms and conditions. Spectators or players may be removed or even face legal consequences for violent or abusive behaviour.
Clubs have a legal responsibility to address behaviour that is not aligned to their community standards. Racial vilification, sexual harassment or common assault is against the law, and is never acceptable.
If you witness behaviour that may be illegal, report it to the police. If a situation on the field becomes dangerous, play should be stopped, and police may need to intervene.
For more information, see Play by the Rules
How yelling at officials can harm your child
Even if children don’t react or respond in the moment, they are always watching and learning from adult role models. Displaying inappropriate behaviour towards sporting officials can harm your child in many ways.
Children may:
- see mistakes as something negative rather than part of learning
- learn to disrespect authority, including police, parents or teachers
- learn selfish behaviours, ruining the experience for themselves and others
- develop bad behaviour by learning from negative role models
- start to make excuses and not take responsibility for their actions
- struggle with resilience and give up easily in the face of adversity.
For more information, visit the 7 Ways how yelling at officials is hurting children