Poor Behaviour

The Impact of Poor Behaviour

Let’s listen to the kids again.

Click PLAY to watch the video to the right.

In this video, kids talk about adult behaviour at sport and tell us about what they hear, see and feel.

Then recap what they said below:

• I don’t like it when people get yelled at or when I get yelled at
• It’s embarrassing when someone is shouting at you
• It makes me feel like I’m useless and can’t do anything
• It was really stressful and made me not feel good at all
• I stopped cause I was being yelled at and it wasn’t fun anymore
• He was stripped of confidence
• They don’t understand I’m doing my best
• Could they please stop it

Again, research supports what the kids in the video are saying.

• Poor spectator behaviour
• Shouting and aggression from the side-line
• Blatant criticism
• Focus on winning and performance
• Intimidating or violent behaviour
• Discriminatory or abusive language.

A recent UK study suggested the problem is common, with 84% of parents saying that negative parental behaviour is putting kids off sport.

• Embarrassment
• Less enjoyment
• Decreased enthusiasm and motivation
• Stress and anxiety
• Feel threatened
• Lose confidence
• Negative behaviour at the game/event by young people themselves
• Drop out of sport

Activity

There can also be more far reaching impacts.  Who else is affected when adults behave poorly at kid’s sport?

Model Answer:

Many people may be affected by adults’ behaviour on the side-lines at kids sport. These include other children and young people present, officials, coaches, other adults and spectators, the club, and the sport.