Let them play or watch them walk away.
It’s a message that should be front of mind for us all as we gear up for an exciting new season of winter community sport, particularly when it comes to volunteers, match officials and young participants.
Declining numbers in those areas is not unique to our region – or any particular sport – but is a reason for concern.
Last year, GippSport’s Gippsland Community Sport Census found that community sport was finding it difficult to retain and recruit new volunteers, as well as umpires and referees.
When it comes to youth participation, the reflexive response is often to blame technology as the main cause of decline, but local research tells us it’s more complicated.
The Latrobe Health Assembly-funded Increasing Access to Sport project identified a range of barriers were at play, including time constraints, travel requirements and participation costs.
Importantly, though, it found the community sporting club environment was highly influential in youth participation and retention.
Social and performance-related pressures figured heavily in the reasons as to why young people quit sport, and data shows that once they disengage, it’s incredibly difficult to get them back.
The good news is we can do something about it.
The even better news is one key shift in mentality could turn the tide for all three cohorts – let them play.
Incidents of poor sideline behaviour have been reported in Gippsland over the past 12 months, with coaches, parents and supporters among those to have crossed the line and made community sport less enjoyable and rewarding for participants and volunteers. GippSport is highlighting this issue with a new campaign which shares stories and insights from members of the local sports community, particularly young people.
The ‘Let Us Play’ campaign aims to encourage a more positive and safe local sport environment for everyone, regardless of ability, needs and motivations.
So what does that look like?
Here are some tips for being a positive presence on the sideline:
Support the process, not the outcome;
Control your emotions, including your body language;
Support everyone involved in the game;
Let the coaches coach;
Respect the decisions of umpires or referees;
Understand that sport participation is a choice, and;
Be present – watch friends and family play.
So this season, please remember, it’s not the AFL, it’s not the World Cup; it’s community sport, let them play.
For more information on the ‘Let Us Play’ campaign, visit www.gippsport.com.au
