Karate Victoria - Play by the Rules

Welcome to Karate Victoria

Every year we actively prepare our athletes to compete at the Australian Nationals and other high profile events such as World Championships. At this time of the year it is good to remind our members about the need for sport to be fun, safe and fair.

While we all like to win it is important to remember that the vast majority of participants play sport to be with their friends and to have fun.

We all have responsibility to be good role models and to make sure that we play within the spirit of the game. Whether you are an athlete, spectator, coach or official we encourage you to abide by the following:

• Act within the rules and spirit of karate competition
• Give positive comments to encourage players
• Respect officials’ and coaches’ decisions
• Keep emotions in check
• Thank athletes, coaches and officials.

Good luck and don’t forget … Play By The Rules!

Karate Victoria - What is an UGLY PARENT

WHO IS PLAYING THE GAME?
A coach calls one of his seven year old athletes aside and asks, “Do you understand what cooperation is? What control is? What respect is?”
The little boy nods ‘yes’.
“Do you understand that what matters is that we play according to the rules and have fun?” The little boy nods ‘yes’ again.
The coach then says “So I’m sure you know that when the referee calls a foul or a point for the opposition you shouldn’t argue, curse, attack the referee, or call him names?”
Again the little boy nods.
“And when I take you off the mat it’s not good sportsmanship to call the coach bad names?”
Again the little boy nods.
“Good” said the instructor, “Now go over there and explain all that to your mother”
That story could be pretty funny except that it represents a growing problem in sport known as ‘sport rage’. Sport should be fun, safe, fair and respectful.

ASK YOURSELF A FEW QUESTIONS
• Do you applaud when the opposing athlete scores a point in kumite?
• Do you applaud the good technique of opposition athletes?
• Do you support your child in an encouraging way?
• Do you support the decisions of the coach or referee?
OR
• Do you let your frustrations show during your child’s performance?
• Do you question the decisions of the referee publicly?
• Do you belittle your child or any of the other participants?
• Do you make derogatory comments to anyone who is listening, about any aspect of the competition?

WHICH PARENT ARE YOU?
If you answered ‘yes’ to the first set of questions then you are the sort of parent or guardian that provides positive reinforcement to all the players inclusive of your own. However, if you found yourself admitting to answering ‘yes’ to the second set of questions then you could be labelled one of the growing breed of “ugly parents”.
These behaviours and attitudes occur all too frequently in junior sport. Parents often become “ugly” or vocal when they are too focused on the result of the match, or a player’s performance. This behaviour can often ruin the enjoyment of the sport for all the children involved and affect their participation in sport.
Sport can teach children positive values such as teamwork, cooperation, confidence and winning and losing gracefully. Parents and care givers can have a great impact on these values and ultimately on the performances of the child, and his or her enjoyment of the activity. Be a parent that is a positive role model and remember that for most children sport is about having fun and being with their friends.

DO YOU & YOUR CLUB PROMOTE FUN, FAIR & SAFE PLAY?

There are a number of resources that can help your club to achieve this balanced approach to your child’s involvement in sport. Go to the:

• Australian Sports Commissions website on Junior Sport http://www.ausport.gov.au/junior/index.asp
• NSW Department of Sport and Recreation website on Sport Rage www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/sportrage/
• ‘Play By The Rules’ web site www.playbytherules.net.au for information on sport rage programs across Australia (Dealing with Sport Rage) and specific information for parents (Parents & Guardians).
  Karate Victoria firmly supports fair play and the right for all participants, especially children to enjoy their sport without interference from “ugly parents”.

Karate Victoria Executive