Bullying in sports clubs

Bullying in sports

If your child is a young sports player and you're feeling upset at the way they are being treated on the field by their teammates or adults involved in the game, then there are things you can do about that. If their teammates make fun of them on the pitch or in the changing room or try to upset them to put them off their game so that they don't want to take part in training sessions, that could be bullying. It is important to trust your instincts as to whether it is bullying or something that is just a joke between all the team. If it upsets them or it is become persistent then this could be bullying. 

There are a number of types of bullying that can occur in sport clubs. You may find name calling and verbal bullying where someone is being given cruel nicknames, taunted, threats and intimidation. A person may be subject to physical bullying which could be hitting, slapping, tripping and anything else that causes physical harm. We also hear about social bullying in sports where players will gossip about others, leave someone out or embarrass players in front of others. 

• Encourage your child to confide in you about what is happening and how they feel
• Contact the team coach and explain the situation
• Keep a diary of what happens including dates, times and witnesses of the incident
• Ask friends on the team to back up what has happened if this is possible. Sometimes others may not want to get involved as they might be worried they will get bullied 

If the problem isn't resolved, ask the coach or team manager for a copy of the complaints or bullying policy.  

Bullying on the sidelines

There have been many reports and accounts of bullying amongst parents and supporters who are watching from the sidelines. This has resulted in extreme cases, parents or supporters being banned from watching their children participating in games. Some of the bullying reported has been parents abusing other people's children during the games, threats and even physical violence. There has also been reports that the bullying has escalated on social media. This should not be tolerated by the clubs and coaches in any shape or form. If you have experienced this, speak to the coach and ask for them to intervene and take necessary action. 

We understand how there can be lots of high spirited behaviour and banter within sports teams. Quite often we appreciate this is encouraged to help a team bond and allow team members to get to know each other. However, there is a fine line between bullying and banter. If the banter targets one person and becomes persistent, this then becomes bullying. If it upsets the individual and has potential to damage their passion of the sport, self-esteem, confidence or ability to take part then this becomes bullying. It is said to get the most out of the team or individuals it is important to encourage praise, support and unity rather than negative behaviour. 

Has your club got an anti-bullying policy? If yes, it is important to review it regularly and ensure it is up to date. If you haven’t, then it is important to write one that works for your club, the players and supporters. Once you have an anti-bullying policy, everyone involved in the club needs to be aware of it and perhaps even sign a declaration they have understood it and adhere to it. This will give everyone some responsibility to act in a positive way in sports. 

Develop a clear strategy to deal with negative and bullying behaviour with clear consequences so team members and their families understand that the sanctions. It is important that all policies are transparent and available for everyone so they know what to expect and what is expected of them. It may help to have posters in the changing rooms to show your club is against bullying in any shape or form. Also it is crucial that you remain vigilante and know what signs to spot of any bullying behaviour within your team as it may not be always obvious.  

Leaders and coaches of the sports clubs need to take a strong stance against bullying and let the members of their clubs know that this is not going to be tolerated. By having clear policies and strategies in place, the culture of bullying in sports can be changed for the better across the board. Coaches should work on building character and confidence as well as the sport as this will in turn give the children a fun and competitive experience.