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Sports have always been a great way for children to learn teamwork, discipline, and leadership. However, it’s not just the game itself that can have an impact on a child’s well-being; it’s also how the adults behave on the sidelines. A child’s sports experience can be heavily influenced by the actions and attitudes of parents, coaches, and spectators. 

Sideline behaviour can affect a child’s confidence and self-esteem. Imagine your child is playing a game, and they look over to the sidelines, only to see a parent yelling and criticizing them. This can cause the child to feel embarrassed, humiliated, and discouraged, which can lead to a loss of confidence in their abilities. It’s important for parents and spectators to remember that none of the children playing are professional athletes, that mistakes happen and are a natural part of the learning process.

The fundamental reason kids are playing sports is for fun. Sideline behaviour can have a negative impact on any child’s enjoyment of the game. If the experience is overshadowed by negative comments, criticisms, or pressure from the sidelines, it can turn the sport into a stressful and unpleasant experience. This can result in children losing interest in the game and potentially giving up on it altogether. 

Finally, it’s important to remember that children are always watching and learning from parent’s behaviours. If parents display poor sportsmanship or disrespectful behaviour towards other players, coaches or officials, it can send the message that this behaviour is acceptable. This can result in children adopting negative attitudes on and off the “field.”

In conclusion, sideline behaviour during sports can have a significant impact on a child’s experience and well-being. Parents, coaches and spectators should strive to create a positive and supportive environment for children to learn and enjoy sports. This includes avoiding negative comments and criticism, supporting the coach’s decisions, and displaying good sportsmanship. By doing so, we can create a healthy and positive sports culture for our children to thrive in. 

Here are some questions you can ask your athletes to get insight into how parent behaviour in the stands is impacting them.

  • Do you hear parents screaming during your games?
  • What is the worst thing you have ever heard a parent scream from the stands?
  • How did it make you feel?
  • Does the behaviour of your coach during the game distract you from playing?
  • Would you prefer I watch your games and pay attention - but not say anything?
  • Do you like me cheering for you?
  • What words do you find encouraging?