Parents across Lincolnshire encouraged to learn the impact of negative behaviour for children in sports
It follows a new report that's found more than 1 in four parents have seen or experienced inappropriate behaviour at their child's sports club or activity
Parents across Lincolnshire and Newark are being encouraged to learn the impact of negative behaviour for children in sports,
It comes as a report's found almost 70% of parents said they or their children or both had felt uncomfortable because of inappropriate behaviour at a children sports club or activity.
This includes shouting insults, intimidating acts, or fights between adults.
Joe Clarke from Barrowby Football Club tells us more about the impact of these actions
"If they see their parents, any parents really, or coaches, or adults in general, having a disagreement or an argument then I'm sure it'll have a detrimental impact on perhaps their enjoyment of that particular game where it occurred, or moving forward.
"The key message to parents is; yes, you're there to watch and spectate and support your own child but at the end of the day, it's children playing a game that they enjoy and they love, and actions from adults and parents can ultimately determine the enjoyment levels of the children."
He added that, as a child, there were some things he witnessed:
"The biggest issue I witnessed was perhaps towards officials and referees but a lot of the referees that we have for our children's games, are children themselves. So, I think a lot of the time the parents forget that the person stood in the middle is a child themselves.
"We have a welfare officer that's really approachable for parents, and it just creates that consistency really, people know who they need to go to to report something and they know the process they need to follow to report it, so it's a fundamental role to tackling this kind of thing."
The NSPCC report is hoping to highlight the affect negative behaviour can have on children in sports.
So they're calling on parents to:
- Recognise that negative behaviour, including at sporting events, can have an impact on their child and their enjoyment of their chosen sport or club.
- Understand their crucial safeguarding role in their child's sport.
- Get involved in their child’s sporting club or activity and show positive support. Sport is safest when everyone plays their role in keeping children safe, including parents.
In their findings, the YouGov poll1, commissioned by the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) to mark the launch of the charity’s Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week, also found that 68% of these parents said they or their children or both had felt uncomfortable because of it, and almost one in five parents said no action had been taken to stop it.
Sir Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC, added:
“Being your child’s biggest supporter can help instil in them a lifelong love of sport, and help them build friendships and confidence. It can also help you learn about what makes their sports club safe and how to spot the signs that something might be wrong.
“Our Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week campaign highlights how important parents and carers are in a child's sporting life. You can make a difference by being involved and supporting your child in their club or activity in a positive way and helping to spread the word about keeping children safe in sport.”
The NSPCC is encouraging parents to get involved and learn more about their local sports clubs and safeguarding and to be part of the team, on the CPSU parent hub via the official website.
To find out more about being your child’s biggest supporter and how to get involved with the campaign, visit thecpsu.org.uk/parents