Sport Ethics - Sport Rage

Whilst sport is a great pastime the behaviour of some people on and off the playing field is clearly inappropriate. Dealing with what is becoming known as “sport rage” has become a significant challenge for clubs and sporting organisations.

Sport rage is often verbal abuse, bad language and/or bad behaviour, but disappointingly there are times when violence occurs either on the playing field or amongst the surrounding spectators. Not only is this type of behaviour bad for sport but it often has a negative impact on young children.

Strategies are currently being devised to assist the many volunteers, coaches, managers, officials and players with knowledge and skills to recognise and prevent this behaviour.

The Office of Recreation and Sport is also coordinating a one-day conference in early 2005 for sporting organisations and physical activity, recreation and sport industry groups on sport rage.

In addition to launching a Pilot program to address sport rage conference topics for discussion will include:

• Background to the problem
• Probable causes of the “rage syndrome”
• A children’s panel to communicate their thoughts as to what they feel and think when rage impacts on their game
• Strategies and programs that are either available or which might be introduced to assist clubs/organisations deal with this issue.

For more information
Senior Project Officer

Safe Supportive Environments
Office for Recreation and Sport
Phone: +61 8 8416 6622

Email: participation@saugov.sa.gov.au