Sport and EPSA

Sport

This section refers to sport in general and specifically the winter term team ball sports.  Our formal programme with some obligatory sports starts in Grade 3, which for many children is their introduction to a whole range of activities and concepts.  They are learning how to handle sport equipment, controlling a ball, co-operating with others, following rules and understanding that coach and not parents is now the authority; also combining the developing psychomotor skills, stamina and focus along with the enjoyment of working with others.  In the early stages, children want to ‘own’ that ball, and they want to please their parents and coach.  Participation and improvement of skills is what satisfies them. Competition is what makes each sport possible and winning is fun, but at junior level it is often the wrong outcome for us to focus on.  There can be few things more destructive than the notion that you have either won, or you have failed.  Skills development leading to eventual mastery and enjoyment is something that we ‘get’ in reading, maths and so on, but often find that the excitement and comparisons made on the sports field make us forget this process during matches.   Please focus your support and approval on progress and improvement, and leave the ulcerating anxiety about the outcome, family reputation, school name and future Olympic prospects, to others.  As a school we sometimes forego early match plaudits for more carefully developed skills and strong foundation building.

Chisi parents are great supporters, not measured necessarily by volume and certainly not by aggressive stalking up and down the side-lines.  Your daughters love having an audience, and as adults we all have a responsibility to be the right kind.  We are members of two primary sporting associations - CHISZ and EPSA (Educationalists in Primary Sport Association - see below) - each of which share similar goals and sporting values but have variant membership.  You will find below a few excerpts from the Codes of Conduct which give an idea of member schools’ common sporting values.

PRINCIPLES

• All pupils should participate in the widest possible range of sporting activities.  It is not appropriate for junior school age children to specialise in a particular sport in school activities.
• ‘Win at all costs’ and ‘pot hunting’ mentalities must not prevail.

FOR HEADS:

• Adopt school policies which encourage maximum participation by pupils.

FOR COACHES:

• Teach sportsmanship and fair play.  Keep your expectation appropriate for the age and ability of the players.
• The opposing team is a partner in a good match, and not the enemy.

FOR PARENTS:

• Support your child and accept her sporting short comings.  Watch when you can.
• Applaud good play by both teams and keep your support positive and encouraging.  Never ridicule.
• Never question the referee (from either school).
• Never criticise the coach in front of your child.

We cannot be sure whether a match will happen or of whom the team will consist, until the game starts.   Illness, team changes, travelling conditions and changing circumstances of the opposing school all combine to make each fixture an administrative difficulty.  Team notifications will be made by the coach or Sport Director, generally through WhatsApp.  This does not imply carte blanche to contact the coach at any time.  It is simply a convenient means through which to broadcast sports information.   Staff are not permitted to contact parents outside of the usually accepted working times and the same applies to parents contacting staff. 

Routine afternoon activities are also sometimes affected by various changes, and if this means that some children remain on grounds until the time that they would have been collected anyway, there is no hardship in this.  There is prep in the dining room, the library and a safe environment with no reason for parents to be called upon to change their arrangements for an earlier collection.

EPSA - Educationists in Primary Sport Association

Most of the competitive sport in which Chisipite Junior School participates is run under the auspices of either the Conference of Heads or EPSA.  

Educationists in Primary Sport Association is an Association of Heads of Schools which exists to regulate sporting relations between member schools in order to assist safe and fair fixtures between them, and to obviate deteriorating relations as a result of poor organisation or cheating.  

CODE OF SPORTING CONDUCT

These are extracts from the National Coaching Foundation (UK) guidelines.

PLAYERS' GUIDELINES:

• Play for the 'fun of it', not just to please your parents or coach.
• Where rules apply, try to understand them and stick to them. 
• Accept decisions; let your captain or coach ask necessary questions.
• Control your temper - no shouting, breaking rackets, throwing bats or other equipment.
• Be a good sport.  Cheer all good play, whether your team's or your opponents'.
• Remember the aim of the game is to have fun, to improve your skills and to feel good.  Don't show off or always try to get the most points or penalties.
• Work equally hard for yourself and your team - your team's performance will benefit and so will your own.
• Treat all players as you would like to be treated.  Don't bully or take unfair advantage of any player. 
• Co-operate with your coach, team-mates and opponents - without them you don't have a game. 

COACHES GUIDELINES

• The successful coach invests more in the well-being and interests of the players than in their win-loss record.
• Be reasonable in your demands on children's and young people's time, energy and enthusiasm - they need other interests. 
• Children play for fun and enjoyment and winning is only part of this.
• Never ridicule or shout at the children for making mistakes or losing a competition.
• Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed on sound coaching principles and the principles of children's growth and development.
• Group players according to age, height, skill and physical maturity where appropriate.
• The scheduling and length of practice times and competitions should take into consideration the maturity level of the children. 
• Avoid over-playing the talented players.  The 'just-average' players need and deserve equal time.  Be sensitive to the less talented. 
• Ensure equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of the players. 
• Teach your players that rules of the game are mutual agreements which no one should evade or break. 
• Develop respect for the ability of opponents, as well as for the judgement of officials and opposing coaches.

PARENTS' GUIDELINES

Children develop differently, at different rates and react differently to the same pressures. 

• Don't force an unwilling child to participate in sport.  He or she is not playing to satisfy your ambitions.
• Children and young people are involved in organised sport for their enjoyment - not yours.
• Encourage your child always to play by the rules.
• Teach your child that effort and teamwork are as important as victory so that the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment. 
• Turn defeat into victory by helping your child work towards skill improvement and a positive attitude.  Never ridicule or shout at your child for making a mistake or losing a competition. 
• Children learn best by example.  Applaud good play by your team and by members of the opposing team. 
• Don't question publicly the officials' judgement and never their honesty. 
• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children's sporting activities. 
• Recognise the value and importance of coaches. They give their time and resources to provide guidance for your child.  Set an example by being friendly to parents of the opposition. 
• Emphasise enjoyment and fun.
• Praise and reinforce effort and improvement

SPECTATORS' GUIDELINES

Children at play are not professional entertainers.

• Children play organised sport for their own fun.  They are not there to entertain you, and they are NOT miniature adults or professional sportsmen and woman.
• Don't harass or swear at players, coaches or officials.
• Applaud good play by your own and the visiting team.  Show respect for your team's opponents.  Without them there would be no game. 
• Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake during a competition.
• Condemn the use of violence in all forms.
• Respect the officials' decisions. 
• Encourage players always to play by the rules. 
• Relax and enjoy the game whether your team wins or not.