Spectator's Guide to Play by the Rules Junior Sport Under 18 2025

Play by the Rules says the sidelines of a junior sport event can be an emotionally charged space, and that yelling and offensive language at an umpire can come to be seen as a "normal" reaction. It is not just about a few "bad apples": everyone has a role in modelling respectful environments.

Verbal abuse directed at officials, coaches and children can lead to:

• children dropping out because sport is not fun any more
• increased anxiety and stress for children, officials and coaches
• young participants showing poor sportspersonship, aggression and frustration
• strained relationships between parents and coaches.

A University of South Australia study found that when parents act positively, their children are more likely to be respectful to teammates and opposition, and when parents act negatively, their children are more likely to show disrespect and aggression.

Source: Play by the Rules, Sideline Behaviour (May 2025).

The Play by the Rules Spectator Code of Conduct asks spectators to:

• Use respectful and supportive language with players, coaches, officials and other spectators, and avoid explicit language at all times.
• Support both sides, encouraging and cheering good play: clap and cheer good plays whether or not they came from your team.
• Respect everyone regardless of gender, sexuality, age, ethnicity, abilities or other characteristics.
• Role model appropriate behaviour, especially for children who look to adults for guidance.

Source: Play by the Rules, Spectator Code of Conduct template (May 2025).

Play by the Rules' tips for parents and carers are:

• Be a positive role model for your child or teenager: be respectful of other parents and carers, coaches, officials and opposing teams or competitors.
• Offer words of encouragement: focus more on their effort and less on the outcome.
• Stay positive in the car ride home: avoid bad-mouthing the officials, opponents or coaches.
• Prioritise fun: children want to socialise and enjoy their time in sport. Fun can mean learning new skills, copying tricks they see professional athletes do, doing a team cheer, and feeling supported by teammates.
• Ask "did you have fun" before asking "did you win".

The Spectator Code of Conduct adds that if a child makes a mistake in a practice or match, you should offer reassurance and support, and celebrate small improvements and contributions, not just goals scored.

Sources: Play by the Rules, Sideline Behaviour (May 2025); Spectator Code of Conduct template (May 2025).

The Play by the Rules Spectator Code of Conduct asks spectators to:

• Stay in the spectator area. Do not try to access the playing area or player-only areas during practices or matches.
• Keep the field clear. For example, do not throw projectiles onto the field or pitch.
• Choose clothing, banners and accessories that celebrate team spirit and fair play. Avoid symbols, slogans or imagery that could exclude or intimidate others.

Source: Play by the Rules, Spectator Code of Conduct template (May 2025).

The Play by the Rules Spectator Code of Conduct asks spectators to support the decisions of referees, regardless of their opinion, and to refrain from yelling demands or criticisms of official or coaching decisions during practices or matches. If appropriate, it suggests discussing concerns respectfully after the game.

Source: Play by the Rules, Spectator Code of Conduct template (May 2025).

• Intervene if it is appropriate and safe. The Play by the Rules Spectator Code of Conduct asks spectators to intervene if they witness harassing behaviour by other spectators, where appropriate and safe.
• Call 000 if there is immediate danger or a threat to safety.
• Report it. Play by the Rules says verbal and physical abuse may breach the law or your sport's integrity policies, and that critical or harmful incidents should be reported. Clubs are encouraged to use ground marshals or other people on hand to address sideline behaviour, rather than leaving it to coaches and officials alone.
• Complaints can be made outside the club. Play by the Rules says clubs should promote the option of lodging complaints through Sport Integrity Australia or the national sporting organisation. For sports signed up to the National Integrity Framework, Sport Integrity Australia's Safe Sport Hotline is 1800 161 361 (7am to 7pm, 7 days a week).

Sources: Play by the Rules, Spectator Code of Conduct template (May 2025); Sideline Behaviour (May 2025); Community Child Safe Sport (April 2025); MPIO Complaint Referral Guide (2025).

Various sports use green wrist bands, green socks or green lanyards to show that an official is under 18. Play by the Rules says these act as a check on sideline behaviour, reminding people to act respectfully towards children and young people who are learning the craft of officiating. Clubs are encouraged to protect under-18 officials from abuse.

Source: Play by the Rules, Sideline Behaviour (May 2025).

Play by the Rules' template suggests a three-step framework, which each club can modify to suit its needs:

1. Educative response: the spectator is reminded of the expected behaviours and how theirs breached the code, asked to review the policies and directed to relevant education.
2. Written warning: a formal letter detailing the breach and any required corrective actions.
3. Disciplinary action: the organisation explores a suspension or termination under its club or league constitution or related policies.

The template leaves the club to name who manages breaches (for example the club committee or a complaints officer).

Source: Play by the Rules, Spectator Code of Conduct template (May 2025).

Play by the Rules suggests clubs make spectators aware of the code in several ways:

• including the code in venue entry terms and conditions
• putting it on posters around the facilities
• using social media and ground announcements to promote positive behaviours
• promoting how the club, association or venue manager will enforce it.

Play by the Rules also advises the committee to pass a resolution adopting the code, so that the club can take disciplinary action under its constitution if the code is breached. The Play by the Rules template also has a sign-off line where a spectator confirms they have read and understood the code (with a parent or guardian signing if under 18).

Source: Play by the Rules, Spectator Code of Conduct template (May 2025).

It depends on where the game is held.

• Public areas: there are no laws restricting photography of people, including children, as long as the images themselves are not illegal. Organisers cannot impose extra photography rules on members of the public using the same public space. If someone asks for their photo not to be taken, that request should be respected.
• Private venues (a club's own ground, or school or council facilities): the owner of the venue can restrict, ban or require permission for photography anywhere in the venue. Many council venues prohibit phones and cameras in change rooms and toilets.
• Never photograph or film in change rooms or toilets. Taking images covertly there is illegal.
• If an unknown person is taking photos at an event, the organiser should ask them to respect the club's safeguarding policy, stop, and delete the photos. Anyone with reasonable concerns that photos are being taken illegally (for example in toilets, change rooms or for sexual purposes) should contact the police immediately.

Photos of children posted online can travel further than intended, so Play by the Rules encourages respect for anyone who does not want their image taken or shared.

Source: Sport Integrity Australia, Photography and Filming of Children and Young People in Sport (February 2024), and Play by the Rules, Taking and Sharing Images at Sport (June 2025).