Let them have fun
This week is Children’s Week (19–27 October), an annual event focussing the attention of the wider community on children, their rights and achievements.
Children’s Week 2024 celebrates the right of children to enjoy childhood. It is also a time for children to demonstrate their talents, skills and abilities.
We recently interviewed 15-year-old snow skier Toby McIlwaine, an emerging talent within the Snow Australia community, about the importance of positive parenting for children engaged in sport.
Learn more in our feature ‘Let them have fun’.
Have you sat on the sideline at sport and watched the smile of a child quickly turn upside down following a negative comment from a coach, parent or spectator?
While the game might continue, the impact of those comments on a child can be detrimental.
An Australian research pilot study released earlier this year titled Monkey see, monkey do? Exploring parent-athlete behaviours from youth athletes perspective surveyed teenagers who play team sports and have parents watching from the sidelines.
The research found that positive sideline parent behaviours were linked with more prosocial youth behaviours towards both their teammates and opponents.
It’s long been the case that parent behaviour can influence a child’s enjoyment of sport and whether they continue or quit.
Safeguarding Children and Young People in sport is not only important in terms of the safety and protection of the child, its vital in terms of physical and mental wellbeing.
Organised sport has many physical, developmental, psychological and social benefits for children. It also helps build resilience and teaches teamwork and leadership skills.
Showing support for children in sport helps keep them interested and involved. This has been the experience of up-and-coming snow skier, 15-year-old Toby McIlwaine.
A skateboarder, surfer and snow skier, he’s competed nationally in skateboarding and internationally in skiing.
This year he was named in the 2024 Emerging Talent Program by Snow Australia for Park and Pipe (Freeski).
Toby said the key to his success is the support he receives from his parents and coaches.
“My dad and mum have both been a huge supporting factor, mainly with doing whatever they can to get me where I need to be,” he said.
“Sometimes it’s best for me to just focus on myself and then sometimes I really need a bit of a pep talk and both my parents are pretty good with that.
“They’ve been so helpful and such a huge part of my sport; I definitely wouldn’t be where I am without them.”
Toby said his parents have never foisted any expectations upon him in sport, they simply want him to be happy and do the best he can.
“As long as I’m skiing and doing what I love, and trying hard at it and pushing, they’re happy; they’re pretty easy going.”
We asked Toby if he had any tips for parents with young children coming into sport and how best to support them.
“I’d say for the most part, just let them have fun with it. If you’re enjoying it, then that’s all that really matters."
Article first published in Issue 18 (September 2024) of Sport Integrity Matters magazine.
Further guides and resources
Children and Young People Safe Practices Do's and Don'ts [PDF 6MB]
Parents' guide to support clean sport [PDF 1.5MB]