At BTFC, we believe that junior sports events are a great opportunity for children to learn new skills, have fun and build lifelong friendships. We also recognise that the behaviour of parents and spectators on the sidelines can have a profound impact on children’s enjoyment of sport.
As part of our commitment to promoting positive sideline behaviour, we are proud to support the Play by the Rules ‘Let Kids Be Kids’ campaign.
The campaign raises awareness of the negative impact that poor sideline behaviour can have on children and encourages parents and spectators to be positive role models for young athletes.
We understand that it can be tempting to get caught up in the excitement of a match and to offer vocal support to players. However, we urge parents and spectators to remember that children can hear every comment made from the sidelines, and negative comments can be demotivating and hurtful.
BTFC echoes the sentiments of high-profile sports people, including Socceroos former coach Ange Postecoglou, who have shared their personal experiences of poor sideline behaviour. Postecoglou recalls how, as a child, he and his teammates huddled together, frightened as parents argued and fought on the sideline. He reminds us that the kids are the reason we are all there, and their enjoyment of sport should be our priority.
BTFC believes that sideline behaviour can have a significant impact on the players’ performance and experience. It’s not just at games that this behaviour is noticeable, but also during training sessions. Therefore, we request that parents and spectators uphold the same standards of behaviour during training as they do at games.
At BTFC, we believe in creating a positive environment for our players, and we take player behaviour very seriously. We expect our players to uphold the club’s values, show respect towards their teammates, coaches, managers and opponents, and behave in a sportsmanlike manner. Poor player behaviour is not tolerated, and we work closely with our coaches and team managers to address any issues promptly.
We urge parents to remember that their children play football to have fun and enjoy the game. It is not solely about winning, but also about learning new skills, building relationships, and developing teamwork. Let’s all work together to create a positive and supportive environment for our players, both on and off the field.
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If anyone witnesses poor sideline behaviour or has an incident to report, we encourage them to contact the club immediately. We take all reports seriously, and our aim is to address any concerns promptly and respectfully. Whether it’s during a game or training session, we want to ensure that everyone involved in our football club feels safe and supported. So, if you see anything that concerns you or wish to make a complaint, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our club officials.