Officials and their behaviour is an issue. Yes, parents can sometimes behave badly at weekend sport, though with the juggle parents have with working, time to get to the sport, not to mention paying a fortune for kids to even play sport (that is an issue for another day),etc. and you can understand how an 'official' and their behaviour can push a parent over the edge. I don't condone abusing referees, though I have to admit, some officials with their cliques, and high handed behaviour and self-importance can drive you insane. Take a recent junior netball game, one coach (the win at all costs type) took issue in regard to uniform and sign ons (all was fine), officials called in, kids standing around in the sun for ages waiting to play, the official bickering was a farce & terribly unfair to the kids on both teams, setting an awful example as to what sport is all about.

This brings me back to my original point. Do you think a lot of these sportsman in the news recently would have committed these transgressions if it was not tolerated by 'officials' higher in the game who are more concerned about sponsorship and their own 'exalted' positions in running the game? We need officials in sport, committee organisers, coaches, umpires and volunteers. Most officials give up a heap of time, work hard just for the love of sport and the pleasure of seeing young kids running around enjoying themselves, I know a few coaches that fit this bill perfectly. My plea is that officials set the standard themselves too, be fair to all, apply rules evenly and NEVER tolerate bad behaviour, that way we will have a future of healthy fit kids, loving sport for life, being future role models with lessons inspired by great example both ON & OFF the field.

Best Wishes, Noely, Community Site Co-ordinator
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