AMI NORTH HARBOUR NETBALL with Adele Lendich
A little too much argy-bargy
A little too much argy-bargy
If you have watched the television replays in any sport – then you may have noticed a high percentage of those replays feature punches, shoving and general argy-bargy that occurs during the match.
A few fantastic goals or intercepts will feature too, but those scenes will probably be few and far between when it comes to replays. I am probably being a little dramatic, but I am concerned at the negative incidents in sport that are viewed as the highlights of the game.
Are the media glorifying the rough incidents whereby our spectators think these are the norm? Young people today love the ‘punchy’ stuff - they play those games on play station but of real concern and a question that should be asked - are they transitioning the virtual into the reality?
Netball is a game that requires a high level of fitness, accuracy, skill and agility. That is how we want our game promoted - not for the shoves, pushes and abuse of umpires.
Take one of our premier games played at the North Shore Events centre a few weeks ago. A demonstration of ill temper and a lack of self discipline resulted in a 19 year old girl and a mum of four fighting like cats and dogs and having to be pulled apart by four fellow players. What was most disappointing was the cheering from the spectators calling for more blows.
Parents on the sideline need to be reminded that sport should be played in the spirit it was intended – fair play with heart but perhaps a gentle reminder to them that it is ‘only a game’.
It seems our youngest players are witnessing their spectators yelling abuse at the umpires, and members of their own team (god forbid) dropping the ball, missing a goal, or worse having a go at the opposition spectators.
Sport should be a fantastic experience – and for the majority of us it is very positive. So please, lets not let the minority spoil our children’s involvement in physical activity. Rather let’s get out there and become their biggest cheerleaders in the most positive and constructive way.
Adele Lendich is CEO of Netball North Harbour. adele@netballnorthharbour.co.nz
Shore Sport: Takapuna Cricket Club
