Synonymous with youth sports are rowdy parents on the sidelines living vicariously through their athletic little ones. A new survey of Kiwi coaches and referees has shed light on the troubling impact of negative sideline behaviour at children’s sports fixtures.
The survey, conducted by Aktive, the Regional Sports Trust for the wider Auckland region, found that over 60% of referees and coaches had witnessed bad behaviour at least once a season, mostly verbal abuse towards youth.
A number of Auckland Regional Sport Organisations have partnered with Aktive to launch the ‘Love Their Game’ initiative to stress the importance of positive sideline support and harness sport passion the right way.
“Love Their Game serves as a reminder to everyone, no matter what sport, to respect that the game belongs to those playing, refereeing, coaching and managing, and not those on the sideline,” says Aktive chief executive Jennah Wootten.
By promoting the positive benefits of youth sport – that parents and caregivers perhaps forget in the heat of the sideline moment – the campaign also aims to keep kids playing. Half of kids who play sports stop by age 11, and poor sideline behaviour is a key reason why, per the campaign.
“Love Their Game is about turning good feelings into good behaviours and ensuring we’re all doing our bit to support our young people’s growth, belonging and future through sport and physical activity,” rugby referee and Love Their Game ambassador, Ben O’Keeffe, says.
Negative behaviour in youth sport contexts has a far-reaching impact on communities. “Typically, coaches, managers and referees are volunteers, and poor sideline behaviour can stop them wanting to be involved. We know that volunteers are the backbone of community sport, and we need to support them and make them feel valued and appreciated,” Wootten says.
Love Their Game focuses on Auckland’s youth sport communities, but its messaging applies nationwide. Sport organisations and local leaders can empower and educate. Workforce development and content inclusion on the CoachMate app also support the mission. Visit www.lovetheirgame.org.nz for more information.
Tackling sport abuse a team effort
A recent International Olympic Committee (IOC) consensus statement found that between 44 and 86% of children experience interpersonal violence in sport environments, including sexism, racism, homophobia, bullying, and sexual abuse.
That IOC finding has prompted research out of Monash University. Lead researcher Dr Erik Denison says local governments are uniquely positioned to drive change. “Our current approaches are not protecting children from discrimination and abuse in sport settings,” he says.
Both New Zealand and Australia’s national sporting bodies have made repeated pledges to eliminate sexism, racism, homophobia and abusive behaviour at community clubs. Denison calls for a more grassroots approach.
“The national sport bodies have no involvement in the day-to-day delivery of children’s sport. They do not fund local clubs or control the fields, courts or gymnasiums where abuse and discrimination actually occur.
“In contrast, local councils own the facilities where children are being harmed. Councils have a responsibility and the power to stop abuse and discrimination in these environments.”
But what can local councils and parents witnessing this behaviour do about negative sideline behaviour? Clear, enforceable standards are a crucial starting point. Codes of conduct and rules to follow firmly establish boundaries. This can be enforced through visible signage, normalising intervention, reporting pathways, and the authority and follow-through to remove spectators who breach expectations.
Sideline culture is learned behaviour. Experts stress modelling restraint and respect. Children take cues from adults about what competition means and how it looks. Encourage effort, enjoyment and development over outcomes can help keep sport safe, inclusive and fun.
