NSW: New guidelines for parent spectators

AAP General News (Australia)
04-07-2001
NSW: New guidelines for parent spectators

SYDNEY, April 7 AAP - Parents should leave abusive or embarrassing behaviour at home
when they watch their children play sport, according to new guidelines issued today by
the New South Wales government.

The guidelines are designed to combat the so-called "ugly parent syndrome", and encourage
parents to provide positive influences to their children.

Sport and Recreation Minister John Watkins said the 20-page guide warns that abusive
or embarrassing behaviour sets a poor example for children.

"Unfortunately some parents can't let their children enjoy sport without getting in
the way," Mr Watkins said.

"Too many children lose their love of the game because of relentless adult pressure
on them to perform."

"Kids' sport: A very real guide for grown ups" will be distributed to sporting groups
throughout New South Wales and to sport and recreation centres.

The guide tells parents not to criticise their children for not being as capable as
others and not to embarrass them with loud, emotional or uneducated claims that they are
being unfairly treated.

Friendly banter was acceptable but parents should know when to draw the line so support
did not turn to abuse, the guide says.

"Children care less about trophies and scoreboard results than some parents think,"

the guide says.

"Mostly children want to be with their friends and part of a team playing its own game."

The guide's author, former child sports coach Denis Baker, said sport provided a basis
for adult life.

"Sport for children can and should provide a solid basis for later life," he said in a statement.

"Attitudes and skills involving physical well-being and the ability to interrelate
and rely on others are all a part of our everyday adult life.

"All of these aspects are developed in children's sporting activities (and) if our
kids can win in these areas then the scoreboard tends to look after itself."

The guide comes less than a week after the state government announced it would support
a bill to ban parents from using excessive physical force when smacking their children.

AAP sal/ge

KEYWORD: PARENTS LEAD

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