- Encourage children to participate for the fun of it but do not force an unwilling child to participate in sport.
- Remember, children are involved in organised sport for their enjoyment. Children should do it for themselves and not to please parents or coaches.
- Encourage your child always to compete by the rules.
- Teach your child that honest effort is as important as victory by focusing upon the child’s efforts rather than the outcome of the event. This will help the child in setting realistic goals related to their ability, by reducing the emphasis on winning, so that all results are accepted without undue disappointment.
- Turn effort to victory by helping your child work towards skill improvement and good sportsmanship. Never ridicule or yell at your child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
- Children learn best by example. Applaud good effort by all children.
- If you disagree with an official, raise the issue with a Committee member, rather than questioning the official's judgment and honesty in public. Recognise the role that volunteer officials and/or coaches play and encourage the athletes to do the same. Officials and/or coaches give their time and resources to provide athletic activities for the children and deserve your support.
- Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children's sporting activities.
- Children will learn appropriate social behaviour if parents demonstrate the same. Parents should not harass athletes, officials or coaches, and should avoid smoking on the arena or drinking alcohol.
- Avoid use of offensive language.
