We should be shouting encouragement

The Silent Sidelines initiative being rolled out by the GAA for underage Go Games is generating a bit of noise.

Ulster GAA has advised all clubs to implement the policy for all under 12 matches. Mentors and supporters must not talk to, or shout at players, referees or other mentors, during play. The aim is to let children play their game free from pressure from the sidelines and work things out together.

In theory, it sounds good; in reality it’s unworkable and who is going to police it? Are volunteers expected to speak to parents or, worse, even ask them to leave the grounds? Their neighbour potentially? That could flare up into a much worse situation, with impressionable eyes on them.

For the child who is constantly having directions shouted at them from a parent (or sometimes even a coach), perhaps different instructions from different voices, a silent sideline might give them some relief and allow them to play and enjoy their game. That said, who will save them from the post mortem in the car on the way home from the match?

The idea that not even the team coach can give an instruction during the play seems a bit silly. Surely, in order for players to develop, they need direction in real time. What’s wrong with telling them to “bend your back” or “mark up”?

There are some coaches, certainly, who take it too far. But surely parents or the club should intervene, in that instance. Nobody should be shouting abuse at children from the sidelines. But absolutely, we should be shouting encouragement and praise from the top of our voices.

A better initiative, perhaps, to promote participation and development among our underage players would be a rule that every child should get at least three quarters a game and no child be left sitting on the bench! That should apply right up to U16s.

Ultimately, when you mix the passion that sport fuels with parental pride, it can lead to emotions spilling over with sometimes ordinarily decent people losing the run of themselves. More often, that ire is directed at the ref or umpires – not saying it’s right but they are adults.

Children are impressionable and parents and supporters should be setting a good example but a silent sideline seems a step too far.

The whole concept seems very much at odds with team sports. Imagine, for example, Breffni Park on the last day Cavan played Tyrone in nail-biting extra time. Imagine sitting there in silence. It’s impossible.

The cheers, the roars from the crowd, the atmosphere... it spurs a team on. That’s every bit as true for under eights as it is for grown men, inter county players.

Yes, the groans and exclamations can also put a player or team under pressure but part of development in sport is learning to perform under pressure and our young players have to learn that too. Are we doing them a favour by trying to shield them from this entirely? Is it teaching them resilience?

The pride of playing for your club, of wearing the jersey, of stepping out with your team mates, that sense of identity; would that be the same with a silent sideline? Is the noise not part of the adrenaline, fuelling the love of the game for players and supporters alike, bonding them together?

Let’s face it, in reality, silent sidelines are never going to happen. But, at best, let’s hope that the attempt to introduce them will prompt people to think about their behaviour on the sidelines and shout encouragement at our youngsters rather than abuse.

It’s a difficult one but, if all supporters were supportive, there would be no need for such an initiative.