Plenty Sport : EZINE 28 Masters Athletics | Page 9

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ISSUE № 28, FEB 2018
Bullying in Sports Programs
With so much focus now on cyber bullying one must be reminded the
whole issue continues to occur even at the physical and emotional lev-
el. Even in sports it occurs. It manifests itself via “repeated aggres-
sive behavior that can be physical, verbal (name-calling, taunting.
insulting), or relational.” Like everywhere else ,in a sporting envi-
ronment it takes an emotional and physical toll on many young peo-
ple. Children who continuously taunt others in the playgrounds and even the camps are bullies. The danger in sports is that it
can be occurring physically without the realization of those in charge. Youngster suddenly losing interest in a sport and or
dropping out of camps can well be an indication of the occurrence of bullying.
Do not assume conversations with your children on the topic of bullying are not necessary as even the bullies themselves
maybe the ones with the greater issues to be addressed. Keep the lines of communications with your children open. Attend-
ing sports camps should be an opportunity to relieve stress as opposed to otherwise. But also as parents one needs to be at-
tentive to the signals your children send to others and notice if it is in fact also evoking negativity. Just a few other sugges-
tions to consider would include conversations with coaches
to promote environments that promote teambuilding and
cohesion; and working with sports organizers to ensure
measures are in place to eliminate abusive behaviors of
those under their watch. At the end of the day sending chil-
dren to sports camps should be developmental whilst pro-
moting enjoyment in a healthy environment.
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