Coaches, players and spectators at all levels of AFL Queensland are being encouraged by the Queensland Government and the game’s governing body to be 100 percent positive this weekend- 6th-8th May.
The Statewide Positive or Pointless weekend is designed to encourage positive comments from all in the football community.
The Positive or Pointless campaign has been established by the Queensland Government – Department of Communities Sport & Recreation Services in conjunction with the junior football codes played in Queensland – AFL, Rugby League, Rugby Union and Soccer – and is designed to help build a positive culture in these sports.
Along with the governing bodies, Brisbane Lions premiership player Luke Power, Queensland State of Origin Star Cameron Smith, Queensland Reds player Will Genia and Shane Stefanutto from the Queensland Roar and Socceroos have also offered their assistance in promoting the campaign.
Power has thrown his support behind the campaign, stating “Children are the future of our game – encourage them to do their best but let them enjoy it too.”
The Queensland Government believes that sport is an integral part of the Queensland way of life and provides a wonderful opportunity for people to be active and healthy and make enduring friendships. Junior sport is a great environment for improving our children’s health and teaching them a range of life skills. Sport builds discipline, leadership, self esteem and confidence.
Minister for Sport, the Honourable Phil Reeves MP encourages all parents, players, officials and supporters to get behind the program.
“If we want our kids to keep participating in physical activities, it is essential that their experience in junior sport is positive and fun.”
“I congratulate clubs for actively participating in this campaign and I encourage all players, parents and officials to keep spreading the positive or it’s pointless message.”
The Positive or Pointless campaign is a big step towards facilitating a change of culture in junior football codes to eliminate poor and unacceptable player and spectator behaviour.
Posters, flyers and stickers for the event have been distributed to clubs to highlight the event.
Whether the comments come from the coach, the supporters, the umpires or the players themselves, they are all being urged by the League to make all comments positive and abolish all negative comments as they are pointless.
Coaches are being asked to make their match day addresses positive, and to eliminate any criticism of players and umpires.
Likewise, players are being urged to encourage their team mates at all times and congratulate opposition players’ good play.
Parents are being requested to yell encouraging comments only and abolish all criticism of players, umpires or coaches, plus acknowledge good play of the opposition team.
Posters should be on display at all club canteens, with the parent handouts and stickers distributed at training and on game days.
Positive or Pointless
What you can do everyday:
– Clap and cheer and be supportive
– Offer positive comments only
– Applaud the efforts of players from both team, not just your own
– Applaud the efforts of match officials
– Respect umpires decisions and teach children to do the same
– Express your appreciation to volunteers, say please and thank you
– Focus on a child’s efforts and self esteem rather than whether they win or lose
– Help make sport a fun activity to be involved in
So get out and cheer loudly but positively, support all player and officials efforts on both sides and forget the pointless stuff. This program is not seen as a one week wonder, from here it is hoped all clubs will continue to foster its worth throughout the remainder of the 2011 season and beyond.
Next weekend is also ‘Thanks Ump’ round and will tie in well with this weekend’s ‘Positive or Pointless’ campaign creating positive match day environments for ALL participants in junior sport, ranging from players, parents, umpires and officials.
