The Support Team
This is where it is really vital as parents that we see sport for what it truly is and that is the opportunity to use it as the vehicle to equip our children with life skills that can be transferred into any walk of life
The Three Way Partnership
Coach- Athlete- Parent
In the old days we used to talk about the athlete, the coach, and the parent as three completely separate entities and even though they were all intent on helping the child achieve their full potential in sport, they worked very separately.
What we talk about now is the performance partnership where each of the “partners” has got a job to do.
Sports Integrity
New Zealanders like to think we have a reputation for good sporting behaviour – we play hard, but fair. We strive to uphold the values of sport, whether celebrating Olympic gold, or supporting participation. This love of sport provides many benefits for individuals, communities and the nation, and because of that, sport is highly valued.
However, the integrity of sport is increasingly threatened both globally and here in New Zealand by issues such as match-fixing, corruption, doping, and abusive behaviour.
While New Zealand has various initiatives in place to protect and promote the integrity of sport, the current environment indicates a review is needed to determine whether these measures are enough.
Within New Zealand we have seen evidence of sport integrity issues including:
• regular examples of poor sideline behaviour from coaches, parents, caregivers and other spectators
• child sexual abuse conducted by coaches or others involved in sport
• doping, including the recent cases relating to the Clenbuterol NZ website
• at least one substantiated match-fixing attempt in sport, with experts warning of real and growing risk in this area.
What is Sport Integrity anyway?
There is no globally accepted definition of sport integrity. However, the Australian Sports Commission writes:
“A sport that displays integrity can often be recognised as honest and genuine in its dealings, championing good sportsmanship, providing safe, fair and inclusive environments for all involved. It will be also expected to ‘play by the rules’ that are defined by its code. A sport that generally displays integrity has a level of community confidence, trust and support behind them.”
What can we do at sthe sport/club level to ensure we are promoting SPORTS INTEGRITY?
Sport Rage Mangement Plans
How to manage sports rage effectively.
PREPARE YOUR CLUB TO MANAGE SPORTS RAGE EFFECTIVELY
Your club’s management can put in place some critical policies, processes and personnel aimed at stopping sports rage in the club. It’s worth reviewing the club’s constitution, rules and codes of conduct.
( see SPORT NZ link below to find out more)
As a club/school you need to be prepared for it and it is well worth doing your homework in and around how you will cope if unacceptable sporting behaviour occurs and the steps you will use to manage it.
What is Sideline Behaviour?
Sideline behaviour is….the types of behaviour that are portrayed upon the sidelines of sporting events. The main cause of concern is the negative sideline behaviour that is prevalent.
Why does negative Side Line Behaviour occur? What are the catalysts?
Team culture and expectations of all partners ( Parents/ Athlete/ Coach/ Supporters) hasn't been discussed or priortised.
Code of Conduct not signed. Parents and supporters not informed of the role they play.
The nature of the sport – contact, roughness
Investments – Parental $$, kids may have some investments also such as time, energy, reputation (our school always wins this…
The bigger the crowd – the easier it is to be negative and then hide away
Proximity to play – closer to the game spectators are the more likely negativity may occur
History/part of the culture – football, rugby
Winning is essential mentality, outcomes focussed
living vicariously through their children
Because of their previous sporting success
Socialisation process – others do it
Power – Adults feel they can overpower youth
What do you think it’s like for the kids participating?
No Fun!
Replicating parent behaviours and beliefs, its become acceptable behaviour
Withdrawal / Dropout
Uncertainty, Fear, Tears, Embarrassment…
Inability to try something different in case it is wrong.
Missed opportunities (parents = baggage)
Poor decision making skills caused by the pressure and stress created within the player. Players attention is diverted and their attention is taken away from the game play.
Confusion from sideline advice
Bullying
Dropping out of coaching or volunteer positions
Practice using AWOCA!
AWOCA (Ask, Why, Options, Confirm, Act)
A sk (with a smile, to stop)
W hy (you have stopped the game)
O ptions (state consequences)
C onfirm (their understanding)
A ct (follow through)
Ask
Stop the game, SMILE, Ask the person to please stop (Whatever it is they are doing…negative words, shouting, at players, umpires, self, speaking loudly to the person beside them so all can hear (in the pretence of a conversation)…etc
It is really important to control your own emotions and not add any fuel to the fire…it is natural to feel defensive and then react in a negative way…sometimes just a smile and a please may be enough to stop the behaviour….
Use'I " statements and talk about the behaviour rather than getting personal is important
Sentences could include…
When you …………………………
I feel………………..when you ................ and my attention is taken away from my job.
Can you please STOP ............so we can carry on with the game.
Why
Explain why you have stopped the game and are requesting them to refrain from their negativity
'It is not making this game enjoyable'
'This is an expectation that you will behave like a positive adult'
'You have signed an agreement'
'The game will be constantly interrupted if I have to keep stopping the game all all players will be disadvantaged'
"The players are getting distracted from playing the game they came to play."
"It is upsetting to myself and others and I am losing my confidence to carry on…
"This is putting a lot of pressure on me. I am not enjoying my job of umpring the children anymore"
Options
Provide options to the negative person about what the consequences will be if they continue…
I will need to stop the game (and this time will not be made up) and go and get an official/adult/ support to help me…(official from the game, support person you have pre arranged to help you in such a situation)
I don’t want you to feel embarrassed when this happens
All players will be disadvantaged
Possible Solutions:
Know what the Code of Conduct says (Knowing the law)….can always draw the negative person’s attention to this….
This code of conduct should have gone out to all parents/families at the beginning of the season.
Know the rules of the game…umpires and coaches
Support person…. Each volunteer should be aware of an adult that can support them in their role…whether this is a manager, the teacher in charge or any teacher, a parent or a representative from the association…
Make it clear to your support person that at times you MAY face some negative sideline behaviour (you may not also) and what support you want from them in this instance.
You are not alone.
Establish before you need to use your support person :Why you selected this person? How do you want this person to support you?
Being Confident … even though you may not feel it….can always act confidently by the way you talk and the way you hold yourself eg…speak confidently and clearly; look at the person in the eye rather than looking down or away; stand up straight and have your body facing them…do not cross arms…
Tone is not defensive or loud or mirrors theirs.
Diffuse a situation before game begins…It is ok to say that you are ‘developing’ as an umpire and will attempt to do your best.
Practise blowing your whistle with confidence
It doesn’t matter that others might be listening to you.
It is absolutely ok to have your support person or a support person with you if you approach the negative person….they can always approach them for you.
It is important to avoid confrontation – sometimes people don’t really realise what they are doing and saying –
Smiling is a good thing to do but oh so hard sometimes.
Tone is something else to be aware of…not responding in the same tone as the agitated person.
Think about what you say…eg if you say you are going to yellow card someone next time then that is what you MUST do. If you don’t intend to follow through with this then rephrase what you will say…eg..if you don’t stop I will take further action…
Sport NZ has provided the following guidelines for you to develop policies and procedures that will help manage sport rage at your club/sport venues. Good Luck!
Confirm
Confirm with the person … do they understand what the consequences will be?
Act
If they continue you ‘Do Something About It!’ NOW
Stop and go and get someone. Follow through with what you have verbalised.
Afterwards tell someone about it…eg an official…this person you have spoken to may have a reputation and further actions could happen….it is good that others know so that they too can be forewarned.
Forewarned is forearmed.
Supporting Roles
The Sports Team Manager
Communication and organisation are the key to being a good team manager. They are skills that can be learned and improved.
Some of the important information that a team manager can help a coach gather and have available at ALL trainings and on game day might include:
Code of Conducts signed by all Parents/Caregivers to acknowledge they have read it and agree to abide by it.
Emergency Contact details and medical conditions in case of any emergency
Social Events co-ordinator to help boost team morale and develop a friendly team culture.