Parents should remember to:

• Encourage their children not criticize them.

• Make athletic participation for their child and others a positive experience.

• Attempt to relieve the pressure of competition, not increase it. A child is easily affected by outside influences.

• Be kind to your child's coach and to officials. The coach is a volunteer giving personal time and money to provide a recreational activity for your child. The coach is providing a valuable community service, often without reward other than the personal satisfaction of having served his community.

• Remind their child that opponents are necessary friends - without them your child could not participate meaningfully.

• Applaud good plays by your team and by members of the opposing team.

• Realize that the official, who is caught between the exuberance of the winner and the disappointment of the loser, is watching the movement of every player and calling the game to the best of his/her ability.

• Not openly question the referee's judgment and never their honesty because he/she is a symbol of fair play, integrity and sportsmanship.

•  Accept the results of each game. Encourage the child to:
  • be gracious in victory, and
  • turn defeat into victory by helping the child work towards improvement.

IF CHILDREN ENJOY THE GAME, WE ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK