It is a strange, and for some an irritating, phenomenon of modern televised sport that a lot of the camera focus is on the spectators, not on the play; as a result, it would appear that supporters attend sporting events to be seen on the big screen, not to watch the match in front of them. In a similar way, many spectators do things to draw attention to themselves, not to encourage their team, which again takes away from the purpose of watching a sporting match. Players want supporters to witness their efforts and can be inspired by the encouragement they receive from the crowd. All this is true at school level as well.
However, it is worth underlining why we do in fact support our teams, whether we are pupils, parents or interested sports fans. By being there and making appropriate noises, we can encourage our team to play harder, right to the end, all the more so when our team is struggling. We give the team confidence by reminding them they are not alone and we have not given up on them. We may indeed manage to equip the team to play better by our support, as we applaud good moves which will encourage them to try them again. At the same time, it is good for the players that they know we do recognise and appreciate good play and attitude, on both sides.
How we support the players is important. We need to watch the whole match to show real support; in particular we need to stand by the team in their moments of defeat and victory. We need to follow the play during the match; too many people seem to go to school sport for the social, rather than the sporting, experience, and in so doing they distract people who want to watch. We need to praise and applaud good play, from both sides even. We need to respect and applaud when an injured player recovers or show our encouragement and empathy when the player cannot return. We should praise and applaud not simply clever skills or well-executed drills but especially energetic effort and positive attitudes. If we are going to sing, the songs should be appropriate and relevant; making a lot of noise by itself is not supporting but simply having a fun time.
As supporters, we must show our respect to the opposition, to ensure our players do also. Equally, as supporters we must respect the officials by not criticising, abusing or harassing them. In addition, we must also respect other spectators with our language, behaviour, actions and gestures; other supporters have not come to hear us, whether it is our running commentary, bad jokes or tactical advice. Most importantly, especially at school level, we need to support the team rather than individuals (especially, even, our own child). It is a team sport and we need to support the whole team and not individuals if we want the team to work as a team. However, the whole point of support is that it should be spontaneous and natural. Sportsmen should not need supporters to enable them to perform at their highest level; long-jumpers or high-jumpers who all but command the crowd to clap in rhythm are showing either they cannot perform without assistance or they are showmen. Neither is good.
It is equally important that we recognise and respect that there are also ways not to offer our support. We should ensure we do not over-celebrate when we win or score, not least as it will encourage the opposition to do the same when they beat or score against us. It is our job to score. Similarly we must not over-react when we lose or let in a goal; it happens and the test is for us to respond in a positive way. We must ensure we do not mock, ‘boo’ or taunt the opposition (or own team) or make a distracting noise when penalties are being taken. We must refrain from questioning the referee or shout abuse at him. We must keep in one spot and not move along the touchline or stand in the view of others, as we will obstruct the view of other supporters who are equally entitled to watch the whole match. Supporters should never go onto the field of play, before, during (including half-time) or after a match and certainly not when a goal or try is scored.
The school sporting fixture, it must be remembered is not for the parents’ (or other spectators’) entertainment but is for the pupils’ education; consequently, schools do not need to add other activities to them. The supporters are as much an advertisement for the school as the players and many schools can be let down by the poor support offered by spectators. Just enjoy and support.
