Sportsmanship and Fair Play

Sportsmanship is something simple, visible, tangible and attainable. It’s when teammates, opponents, coaches and officials treat each other with respect. When everyone shares a mutual respect for the game it’s easy to see the benefits that participants in sports gain about fair play, courtesy and grace in loosing. Sportsmanship is a learned behavior, and it’s important that all coaches, officials and parents model, teach and lead by example. Over the last decade studies have shown that there has been a decline in sportsmanship and that professional and collegiate athletes only care about winning. With this trend, shouldn’t good sportsmanship be at the forefront just as much as fundamental movement skills when teaching sport?

Check out our Online Resources section and find interesting articles on a variety of topics.

Want to read more sport and fitness articles? Become a SIRC Member and enjoy unlimited access to the SIRC Collection.