Finals football brings out the excitement and the challenge to compete for the ever so elusive Premiership cup. Whilst it is understandable that it is easy to be overwhelmed and consumed by the winning spirit perhaps we should ponder what our great game is really all about.
In my travels during the season I am forever impressed with the support and the dedication shown by the parents of our junior players and the obvious pleasure they receive by being part of their children’s involvement. Today’s parents have an important role in the delivery and support of sporting activities for their own and other children.
With it comes a clear responsibility to act in a constructive and encouraging manner at all times. Barracking and wanting your child to perform well is human nature, but it is critical that this should be done in a responsible manner avoiding the ugly parent syndrome at all times.
The basic principles that I would remind all parents is that:
• Sport for children is a vital part of their growing up.
• Children like to win, but more importantly they want to have fun.
• Parents need to set the right example at the sports ground, not just at home.
• Parents should be proud of their child’s efforts, irrespective of the result
• Sport is important to children’s self esteem.
The AFL invests more than $40 million annually in strategies that support the participation of 550,000 junior players throughout Australia through their AFL Kid’s fi rst program that has been designed for leagues and associations to guide parents so that both they and their children obtain the maximum benefi t from their participation in junior programs and matches.
The AFL Kids First program includes recommendations for leagues and associations and their clubs to manage situations where parents become over enthusiastic and risk having a negative impact on their children’s activities.
Can I ask all parents to watch and participate in the WRFL junior final series respecting and observing the following 10 AFL Kids First program ideals?
1. Remember that children play sport for their enjoyment, not yours.
2. Encourage children to participate – do not force participation upon them.
3. Focus on the child’s efforts and self esteem rather whether they win or lose.
4. Encourage children to always participate according to the rules.
5. Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or for the team losing a game.
6. Remember that children learn best by example - applaud the efforts of all players in both teams.
7. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
8. Show appreciation of volunteer coaches, officials and administrators, without whom your child could not participate.
9. Respect umpires’ decisions and teach children to do likewise.
10. Remember that smoking and the consumption of alcohol is unacceptable at junior sport.
Finally, to all those teams participating in the junior finals series, good luck, have fun and most of all enjoy the experience of playing finals football in the Western Region Football League.