Parents Roles and Responsibilities Before the game • You don’t need to tell your child that winning doesn’t matter because they know it has some meaning. Instead, help them to develop a healthy competitive attitude for trying hard and having fun • Tell your child to “go for it, give it your best shot and have fun” during the game
During the game • Don’t yell instructions at your child during the game. The coach has given them instructions and their teammates are also calling out to them; too much input is confusing • Cheer and acknowledge good play by both teams • Never criticise a mistake, only make motivational comments • Respect the decisions made by the officials. Your child will learn to respect authority by seeing you do the same • Accept the decision of where your child may play during that game. All participants will play in all positions during the season
After the game • Thank the officials and the coach • Congratulate your child and their teammates on their efforts • Compliment individual players on good plays they made during the game • Focus on the way your child played rather than winning or losing • If your child is upset with losing, help them not to focus on the outcome
During the car ride home • Point out a good play your child made during the game • Avoid criticising or correcting mistakes • Ask questions like: * What was fun about netball today? * What was something you did well today? * What did you learn from the game?
