Analysing an Intervention for Sideline Behaviours

Simon Walters , Nick Garrett, Emily Mumford

School of Sport and Recreation, Auckland University of Technology (AUT);

2012

Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

Simon Walters, Auckland University of Technology (AUT), e-mail: simon.walters@aut.ac.nz

This report details the evaluation of an educational intervention implemented by the Sideline Behaviour Group (SBG) in the Greater Auckland area. The group is comprised of representatives from Regional Sporting Organisations [RSOs] (Auckland Rugby, Harbour Rugby, Northern Football Federation, Auckland Football Federation, Netball North, Netball Auckland Waitakere), Regional Sports Trusts [RSTs] (Sport Waitakere, Sport North Harbour, Sport Auckland), ASB College Sport, the Greater Auckland Coaching Unit (GACU), Barnardos, Unitec, and AUT University.

The role of the authors of this report was to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention which was designed by the Group to improve sideline behaviours at children and youth (ages 6 to 18) sporting events. The sports included in this study are rugby union, netball, and football.

Sideline Behaviour Intervention

The intervention was developed by the SBG to address concerns over perceived sideline behaviour issues common to all three sports. The intervention was a low-cost, relatively easy to implement intervention containing educational material designed to promote awareness of the benefits of positive sporting environments for young athletes. Individual information packs for coaches and parents were delivered by RSO representatives to sports clubs. These packs were then distributed by coaches to parents of their respective teams.

The Evaluation

The Adult Observation Instrument at Sporting Events was used to observe and record the behaviour of coaches and parents (for both an intervention group and a control group) both before and after the implementation of the intervention. Ratios of categories of comments (negative, positive, and neutral) were examined to establish if any significant changes in behaviour had occurred.

Key Findings

·     The educational intervention implemented had little observed effect on sideline behaviour.

·     Sideline behaviour differed across sports. More positive behaviour was observed in netball and football than in rugby.

·     A good ratio of positive to negative comments was observed.

·     Relatively high levels of instruction were observed.

·     Younger children are exposed to higher levels of instruction and negative comments than their older counterparts.

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that educational resources in themselves are insufficient to promote changes in sideline behaviour. International studies indicate that coach education workshop programmes have been successful in promoting more positive sporting environments for young athletes. While recognising the cost of such initiatives, we recommend that future researchers consider the piloting and evaluation of more hands-on club-based coach education interventions that educate coaches (and through coaches – parents) about the benefits of creating a positive playing environment for children and youth.

Keywords:

Sideline behaviour, coach education

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Evaluation

Auckland

Sport

Young People

Community, Schools

Amateur, Events

Barriers, Coaching, Delivery, Impacts- social, Officiating, Volunteers

Football (soccer), Netball, Rugby

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July 12, 2012

October 18, 2013