"Don't say something to another child that you wouldn't want said by an adult to your child".

As we head towards the pointy end of the season, it is time to remind all of us to take a deep breath and think before we say something that may not reflect well on us, our teams, our families and the Club.

The players on your team and the opposition team are there to try their best, have fun and learn the game. They don't need negative comments said about them either to their face or within earshot.
Our job as parents is to be the one to cheer them on, encourage their participation and be "the nice guy". Let the coach coach, let them correct their performance in a guided, informed way. Your job is to be their hero cheerleader, nothing else.

Remember that many referees are young kids doing this as their first job. They, like all of us, must start somewhere, they do their best in a highly emotional and competitive environment. Just because they are young, it does NOT mean they don't have experience or that you know better. Let them do their job and let them be human and make a mistake. Treat these kids as you would expect someone to treat your kid when they get their first job- with kindness, respect and understanding.

If you find that a player, spectator, coach or referee is behaving in a way that you do not like, please do not act on it then and there. Go home, take the night to think and if you still have an issue, reach out to the Club who can take the necessary steps to help solve the issue.

One thing we all know is that reacting in a negative way often doesn't lead the outcome we were hoping for. If we want the game to be better, we need to be better.

Think before you speak- your words shape the game.