Verbal abuse of players and referees is still occurring at junior sports matches throughout Dunedin, despite a Sport Otago campaign aimed at clamping down on bad behaviour.
Sport Otago chief executive John Brimble said there had been an improvement since the Sideline Behaviour campaign began last year, but there were still incidents where people demonstrated inappropriate behaviour.
''There have been verbal comments of a derogatory nature aimed at officials, referees in particular, and adults getting heated on the sideline at children's fixtures and making comments about the opposition - often to their own embarrassment and the embarrassment of their own kids,'' Brimble said.
Sport Otago had re-launched the Sideline Behaviour campaign this year, with the support of the Bendigo Valley Sports and Charity Foundation and the Otago Community Trust, and it would continue into the summer and spring sport seasons, he said.
''It's equally as important that we cover all parts of the sporting seasons and just get the message across that we want positive sideline and on-field and court behaviour. It relates to how the kids themselves behave on the field. It's about playing fair and respecting the opposition, the referee and the officials.''
It was ''incredibly important'' parents were good role models for their children, he said.
''They have such an influence on the way that kids see the world and the way that they then behave.''
Football South general manager Bill Chisholm said sideline behaviour at junior football games had improved in the last couple of seasons because the organisation had been placing more focus on it.
''It's probably a bit early to tell what effect Sport Otago's campaign is having but at a junior level my impression is that it's been better than in past seasons. The general tone seems to be more positive.
''We realise, along with other sports, that things can get a bit heated on the sideline. I think sport and football arouse people's passions and they forget why they're there. With some there's an obsession with winning rather than enjoying watching their kids play,'' Chisholm said.
Football South had tried to educate clubs about being positive at junior football matches as well as towards referees.
Dunedin Netball competitions co-ordinator Joyce Andrew said there was a small minority of people who needed to learn what was acceptable on the sidelines at netball games.
''It's not OK to yell out or scream at umpires; it doesn't need to be verbalised that loudly. That's still a work in progress.
''We do have systems in place to help prevent that. There's a lot of pressure on children to do well in intermediate competitions and even younger than that, so we have people placed on those days to make sure people are acting positively,'' Andrew said.
Negative experiences would deter umpires and children from being involved, she said.
''Players can go off in tears if their parents' expectations are too high. They just want to play, it's not all about winning.''
Dunedin Netball was using the brochures and signs made available by Sport Otago to promote positive behaviour.
