Parents - What to do now

As a parent your behaviour has a huge impact on how your child sees the world, how they feel about themselves and what they see as acceptable behaviour.

You have a responsibility to set a positive example and to support your child’s involvement in their chosen sport.  It is important to always:

• treat people with dignity and respect
• be positive and supportive
• acknowledge the things players, coaches and umpires do well
• be appropriate - if you disagree with a coach or an umpire, talk to them about it after the game
• accept that everyone makes mistakes – coaches, umpires and children – they shouldn’t be ridiculed for trying

If you do ‘lose your cool’, always apologise.

If a friend is starting to shout abuse at the coach, umpire or players

• Speak to them before it gets out of hand.