With the winter sport season well under way, the NSW Government is reminding spectators of the very simple message – if you don’t have anything nice to say, then shoosh for kids.
The Shoosh for Kids campaign, supported by the NSW Swifts, 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.
Swifts player Lili Gorman-Brown was on hand to lend support for the initiative over the weekend alongside representatives from Sydney FC (A-League) and the Sydney Swans (AFL).
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.”
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.”
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
