Lesson 1: Introduction

The issue of poor behaviour at kids’ sport can be quite a complex one. Nobody knows how common poor behaviour is! But, many people have witnessed it or seen it in the media. Maybe you’ve even been part of it?

Before we get into this section, it’s worth reinforcing that the large majority of people attending junior sport do the right thing. They behave respectfully towards coaches, officials and players. They support their kids, they put in countless hours of volunteer work and they make sport a great place to be for everyone.

We do know that poor behaviour at sport has a significant impact on participation. We also know that adults have a profound impact on kids enjoyment and participation.

Watch the introduction video with ABC Sports Journalist Paul Kennedy – a great advocate for kids sport and supporter of Play by the Rules, and read the points after it to show what you will learn before continuing to the next lesson.

What will I learn?

• Identify the motivations for kids’ participation in sport
• Identify what poor behaviour at kids’ sport is
• Take actions that reduce instances of poor adult behaviour at kids’ sport
• Take actions that discover and incorporate the views of children and young people when it comes to their sport experience