The benefits for youngsters taking up a sport are well documented.

There’s the health and fitness aspect, making new friends, learning what it's like to be part of a team and playing to that environment and much more. 

It all holds them in good standing for life as a whole as they grow up. 

However, there’s also the ugly side. 

No doubt residents may have noticed it once or twice. It’s those parents that take junior sport to serious. 

Whether it’s abusing umpires or referees, who are likely giving up their own time, or worse inflicting their anger on their children. It is a horrible thing to witness, especially when it’s just children’s sport. 

The outcome isn’t a life or death situation, so why do some parents feel the need to take it so seriously? 

It’s a difficult question to answer and one many junior sporting organisations are having to deal with every weekend. 

Hopefully this doesn’t discourage children from continuing to take part in sport. Whether or not they are “good” at it is irrelevant. 

What is learned playing junior sport are skills that stay with a person for life. Parents should be proud of their child’s efforts, no matter where they place on any particular day. 

It’s just a game.