“There’s no place for poor sideline behaviour. Let us play!”
SportWest, the peak industry body for sport in Western Australia today launched a new True Sport initiative addressing poor sideline behaviour in sport. The initiative seeks to increase public awareness of the impact of poor sideline behaviour in sporting environments. “There’s no place for poor sideline behaviour. Let Us Play”.
A coordinated marketing campaign by SportWest will be shared by all WA sports seeking to inspire change and support clubs with resources on how to create respectful club environments and handle conflict in a safe and positive manner. This campaign will run for the month of October.
SportWest have engaged with several WA State Sporting Associations who have experienced a challenging winter competition season with incidents of poor sideline behaviour. Football West CEO, Jamie Harnwell is supportive of a campaign which highlights the adverse effects of poor sideline behaviour on spectators, players, coaches, and referees. “Poor sideline behaviour is an issue across the world and research has shown it can have a negative impact on the enjoyment children get from playing their favourite sports.”
“Football West fully supports SportWest in their True Sport campaign, and we encourage all clubs to get behind the initiative as we strive for passionate and positive support from the sidelines.”
SportWest CEO, Matt Fulton says the message is simple – poor behaviour has no place in sport. “True Sport is being your best. It’s about providing a safe, respectful and enjoyable environment for all to participate in any sport at any level. Respect underpins the culture of clubs – respect for umpires, coaches, the opposition and fellow teammates. Supporters have an important role to play in modelling respect, applauding good play on both sides and calling out poor behaviour of others.”
In further support for the campaign, Perth Glory Football Club CEO, Anthony Radich says the WA sporting industry is united in providing safe, positive sporting experiences for all, on and off the sidelines. “It is incumbent and the responsibility of everyone involved in sport to create and uphold, safe, positive, and supportive environments. Enjoyment is at the heart of everyone’s participation in sport and crucial to maximising that enjoyment for all is having respect for all. Sportsmanship is being understanding and considerate of others, being fair and ethical and having goodwill towards one another both on and off the sidelines. Those are the behaviours that are synonymous with True Sport and which enable sports to thrive.”
Media Contact: SportWest: Jasmine Cappellucci on 0427 198 718 or via email jasmine@sportwest.com.au
