22 August 2008     Ugly spectator behaviour at junior sporting matches was today given the boot with the launch of a campaign to promote positive encouragement during basketball, soccer, football and netball finals across Victoria.   Sport and Recreation Minister James Merlino launched the Encourage the Kids, Support the Game campaign . 

“The Brumby Government is taking action to encourage healthy, active involvement in sport and recreation and ensure all young Victorians can pursue their sporting goals with confidence – win, lose or draw,” Mr Merlino said.  “The Encourage the Kids, Support the Game campaign is designed to stamp out bad behaviour from parents, from officials, from all spectators in our junior sport.

“It’s a natural reaction for spectators to get passionate when they’re supporting their team but we’re urging everyone involved in junior sport to encourage from the sidelines, not shout abuse.  “We should not be tolerating situations where participants feel uncomfortable or threatened due to discriminatory or harassing behaviour by anyone. Bad spectator behaviour ultimately discourages juniors from playing sport, which is certainly a situation we want to avoid.”

Mr Merlino said the campaign was piloted last year with AFL and basketball and was such a success that it was expanded this year to include netball and soccer.  “It’s fantastic to have Netball Victoria and Football Federation Victoria on board this time round, in addition to Australian Football League Victoria and Basketball Victoria,” he said.

“This collaborative approach across four major sports will add to the scope of the campaign and have an important impact on many of Victoria’s junior participants.”

The Brumby Government has committed $150,000 to Encourage the Kids, Support the Game, with VicHealth contributing $100,000. It runs across the Yarra Junior Football League, Parkville Netball competition, Ellinbank and District Football League and Netball Association, Ballarat Netball Association, Ballarat and District Junior Soccer League, Ballarat and District Junior Basketball League and the Victorian Junior Basketball League.

Mr Merlino said people attending junior sports were required to adhere to their sport’s code of conduct, signed at the start of the season.

“Information toolkits have also been developed with tips on dealing with poor behaviour,  as well as posters, t-shirts and banners to promote the campaign’s message,” he said.  “Sport is meant to be safe, fun and friendly – violence and bad behaviour is unacceptable.”

It is estimated over 100,000 people will come into contact with the Encourage the Kids, Support the Game message in the duration of the campaign.

From a media release from the Premier of Victoria, 22 August 2008

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