WHAT IS IT?

Good Sports is a programme led by Aktive and aims to create positive sporting experiences for Kiwi kids by supporting and educating the key adult influencers in children’s sport: parents, coaches, teachers and sport leaders.

Poor side-line behaviour, early onset of overuse injury, burnout and disaffection with sport, stem from adult involvement in children’s sport and can ultimately hinder success on and off the field. To address these issues and give Kiwi kids the greatest chance of developing a lifelong love of sport, just as you may do, Good Sports believes we need to raise adults’ awareness about their behaviours in children’s sport, and if necessary promote a positive shift in that behaviour.

Resources on our page and information sources are kindly provided by Aktive.

Questions & Answers

Does the team need only 1 Good Sports Ambassador?

We suggest that each week a different parent or supporter takes this responsibility, as there may be times when someone can’t make a game, also it helps everyone to understand the responsibility and how it can affect everyone.

What if someone doesn’t change their behaviour or it gets worse?

Ask your team supporters/spectators for help and support, however if you have any concerns, then these should be raised immediately with the Games Management team in the Control Room who are onsite during all competitions.

Netball Waitakere has a Zero Tolerance policy, which includes all players, umpires and spectators representing Netball Waitakere or within the boundaries of Netball Waitakere and Te Pai Place.

​​​​​​​Why is it only Year 5, 6, 7 & 8 Saturday teams participating in Good Sports?

We started with an early pilot programme of Year 5 & 6, but are now extending this to Year 7 & 8 and expect that by the end of the season many other grades will be incorporated and brought on board with the programme.  Netball Waitakere staff have already started wearing the sash for the Year 3 & 4 Thursday night competition.

So watch this space, further Good Sports workshops will be held during the season…

Good Sports at Netball Waitakere

Netball Waitakere is implementing and putting into practice the Goods Sports programme and expects that all Year 5, 6, 7 & 8 Saturday teams to participate by modelling and managing their supporter's side-line behaviour.

What does this mean for my team?

Before every game the nominated “Good Sports" ambassador picks up a Good Sports sash from the Control Room.  During the game they monitor and manage their team's supporters side-line behaviours and attitudes towards everyone.

  • Your team supporters include other parents, grandparents, managers and even the coaches!
  • Everyone means all players (even opposition players), umpires, other parents, coaches, managers and all Netball Waitakere staff and volunteers.

If someone demonstrates poor side-line behaviour, then the Good Sport ambassador is there to promote a supportive environment for everyone. 

Remember to

  • Stay calm
  • Support the coach
  • Let the kids play
  • Ask your other team spectators for help and support
  • And most importantly “Be the Model Supporter”

Make your kids proud – be supportive of everyone on the team and praise the effort of everyone involved. Be the parent or supporter who doesn’t instruct the children and undermine your coach, Be the parent who doesn’t scream and shout at the officials, or the parent that knows everything. Don’t be the embarrassing Mum/Dad. Be the supportive one.

Return the Good Sports sash to the Control Room at the end of your game.