Have you ever witnessed a display of verbal or physical abuse at sporting clubs in your local area, either on or off the field? Displays of poor sportsmanship have a negative impact and affect everyone involved in junior sport including young players, parents, coaches, officials and spectators. Young people are often influenced the most by these negative experiences, and this can greatly affect their future attitude towards sport. The Australian Sports Commission (ASC), through the Junior Sport Unit, has recognised this growing problem of bad sportsmanship as a significant threat to the safe, supportive environment of junior sport.
The ASC will trial the Good Sport Monitor/Play by the Rules Program that aims to support a positive, safe and nurturing sporting experience for junior participants, officials and spectators. The program gives sporting organisations the knowledge and action to enforce positive and socially acceptable behaviour and to help in the education of officials and parents in preparation for difficult situations that may arise in junior sport.
As part of this initiative, training will be provided to particular spectators at local games. These people will be a designated good sport monitor to provide a physical presence to reinforce positive behaviours and attitudes within the sporting environment. The nominated monitor is not there to play the role of physical enforcer, but merely to provide a visual reminder of the values and actions of good sportsmanship.
Presently, the ASC is seeking to conduct a pilot for the program. It will examine education and compliance strategies that will help to ensure the finished product’s success, and will be documented and evaluated to provide a best practice model for further delivery in states and territories. Local Councils will be able to assist in implementing this positive strategy by working with their local clubs.
For further information contact Lara Hayes in the Junior Sport Unit on (02) 6214 7972 or email lara.hayes@ausport.gov.au, or visit the Active Australia website at www.activeaustralia.org
