Editorial: Sport not meant to be battleground

The captain of Havelock North Intermediate and Jane Cunningham, sister of Jarrod Cunningham during the annual Cunningham Cup rugby match. Photo / File

It was both sad and disturbing to hear reports of a sporting incident recently where an 11-year-old boy, enraged at a referee's decision, decided the best plan of action was to attack the referee.

It came amidst the usual sporadic reports from sports grounds far and wide across the land of parents abusing officials and even assaulting them. And of sideline skirmishes between groups of supporters - at games being played by youngsters.

At one incident, during a college game in Auckland, a 15-year-old ended up unconscious and was rushed to hospital - he was allegedly punched from behind by the friend of one of the opposing players. Police investigating the brawl said it was so fiery someone could have died.

In another recent incident parents stepped in after an under-16 age-group rugby game went crazily bad in Northland.

In the wake of these incidents there has been much talk, discussion and investigation by sports groups but sadly I think we have to concede that such things will simply continue to happen as it only takes one person to fire something up.

My sympathies and thoughts are with the refereeing fraternity - tireless and devoted volunteers who have to put up with rubbish on the field and from the sideline.

I applaud the groups who attend the matches and who hand out advice as well as leaflets about being a good sport.

And I admire and respect people like Conrad Waitoa, who coaches the Havelock North Intermediate rugby team for the simplicity, yet superb common sense, of their approach to the game.

His lads took on Heretaunga Intermediate in an annual match staged to commemorate the remarkable and inspiring life of former Magpies fullback Jarrod Cunningham.

It was a game played in competitive and noble spirit, but it was the words Mr Waitoa delivered that lifted me.

He said the game was not about winning.

"We are going to play the way he used to love playing," he said with a nod toward his late mate Jarrod, then added that he simply told his young players to "enjoy it".

That is the finest of sentiments ... the very best.

It should be a firm part of the coaching manual, and obligatory in terms of what is said before every match, everywhere.

And every parent should hear it as well.