Fact Sheet Supportive Players – getting the most out of sport

Fact SheetSupportive Players – getting the most out of sportGetting the most out of sportLeading an active lifestyle isgood for us. If you participatein regular moderate physicalactivity, you can expect to enjoymany physical, health, social andpersonal benefits, including:Physical benefits• learning skills like balancing,throwing, catching, kicking• growing stronger and fitterHealth benefits• helps manage a healthy weightand lifestyle• encourages healthy growth ofdeveloping bodiesSocial benefits• becoming more confident• learning to work in a team• meeting new friends and havingfunPersonal benefits• helping you concentrate better• learning good sportsmanshipwhich will help at school andwork• helps develop respect and fairplay valuesStrategies for game dayBefore the game• Make sure you have youruniform and all the rightequipment and safety gear.• Bring your water and wear sunblock (and hat if possible).• Listen carefully to your coaches’instructions e.g. warming up,game strategies.• Do your pre-game huddle andpre‐game cheer.• Encourage your team mates whomight be a little nervous.During the game• Do your best and have fun!• Cheer for your team mates andrecognise good play. Encouragethem even when they makemistakes.• Keep it positive, don’t criticiseor give instructions to your teammates.• Respect the decision-making ofyour coaches and the officials.• Try out the new skills your coachtaught you at training.After the game• Thank the other team and theofficials.• Congratulate your team and yourcoach.• Thank the spectators and yourparents for coming to supportyour team.• Congratulate your team mateson their good plays andachievements; encourage themwhere they have identified theirown mistakes.

True Sport Lives HereFact SheetSupportive Players – getting the most out of sport• Recognise that the officials arelikely to be volunteers. Findways to appreciate them forsupporting you playing sport.Without them, it would be hardto have a fair game!• Treat the officials the same wayyou would like to be treated ifyou were in their position.Communicating with coaches• Always support your coaches bynot speaking negatively aboutthem in public.• If you want to clarify a decision,it may be best to wait until afterthe game, depending on thesituation. In any case:• try to calm yourself beforespeaking to the coach, andexplain your query• let the coach respond withoutyour interruptions and listen• agree to a resolution even ifyou agree to disagree!• make opportunities for futurediscussion• Leave the coaching to yourcoaches. Remember they havetraining.• Recognise that your coach islikely to be a volunteer. Findways to appreciate them forgiving up their time to supportyou.Communicating with officials• Respect the decisions of theofficials. Remember they mayhave a clearer perspective thanyou and they are doing the bestthey can.• If you need to clarify a decisionon the field because it affectssomeone’s wellbeing or safety,tell your team captain and theywill let the official know.• If you want to clarify a decision,it may be best to wait until afterthe game. Discuss with yourteam coach or manager aboutthe best approach. Try and calmyourself before speaking andlisten to the official’s responsewithout interrupting them.Communicating with parents• Remember that sport is veryexciting to watch and sometimesparents might get a little overenthusiastic without meaning to.Sometimes they might say thingsthat they don’t really mean.• If your parents are doingsomething that embarrasses you:• Think about what you willsay before you say it. Theyprobably didn’t want toembarrass you or hurt yourfeelings. Let them knowexactly what they said thatupset you, tell them how itmakes you feel and ask themnot to do it again.• Talk to them privately, notin front of your coach, theofficials, your team mates orother parents. You might haveto wait until the ride home.Make sure they are calm andyou are calm before talking tothem.• Maybe your parents would liketo be more involved with you insport. You could ask them to bea volunteer at your club by beingtime scorers or fundraisers.Check with your coach what elsethey could do.