The Shoosh for Kids campaign is being held across NSW throughout May and involves sports clubs, their members and sporting associations promoting positive spectator behaviour so that kids want to keep coming back to play junior sport.
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said the Shoosh for Kids campaign is all about ensuring a positive sports environment and encouraging junior sport participation.
“We need to ensure that our grassroots sporting communities are places where everyone feels welcome. This campaign is about keeping sideline commentary fun and positive so that kids and families feel encouraged to keep coming back to play each week,” Mr Kamper said.
“The message is simple, if you don’t have anything positive to say, then shoosh.
“We want to drive abusive or violent people out of sport, they have no place on our sidelines.
“More than 500 clubs have signed up to the Shoosh for Kids campaign, sporting clubs across NSW can use our free resources to let communities know exactly where they stand on poor spectator behaviour.”
AFL NSW/ACT CEO Tiffany Robertson said the campaign message works hand in hand with supporting officials and volunteers.
“It’s important to remember that community sport is run by volunteers,” Ms Robertson said.
“Not only should sport be a fun, welcome and inclusive environment for the kids participating but it should also be an enjoyable experience for the umpires, coaches and all the volunteers to keep them engaged in our game.”
Oatley West Netball Club Secretary Belinda Di Bartolo said their club is proud to support the campaign.
“Negative sideline comments have a detrimental impact on confidence and spoils the experience of playing and participating in junior sport,” Ms Di Bartolo said.
“The Shoosh for Kids campaign enables us to continue to promote a positive sporting environment, making sure we keep a smile on everyone’s face.”
CEO of Football NSW John Tsatsimas said the entire footballing community is getting behind the program.
“Football NSW is a proud advocate of the Shoosh for Kids campaign and will be actively promoting the key messaging for this program across May and beyond.
“Football NSW alongside numerous other State Sporting Organisations will be ensuring there are positive environments for all our members to participate in as we do each and every week when our sport is played.”
“Football NSW will be actively participating in this awareness campaign promoting positive behaviours, environments and most importantly enjoying another season of football.”
Shoosh for Kids Winter Awareness Month will run from 1 to 31 May 2023, with free resources available to clubs and associations to share the message and help keep sport fun for junior players.
For more information or to sign up, visit: sport.nsw.gov.au/shooshforkids