Plan B Forum

Competitiveness can take the fun out of team sport, believes federal Sports Minister Kate Lundy – at least for some school-aged children, who are being driven away by an excessive focus on performance.

The message is endorsed by an Australian Sports Commission report released on Wednesday, which estimates more than a million children could be encouraged to play team sports if clubs made some changes like shifting the focus from competition to enjoyment.

‘‘Older kids often see sports clubs as competitive and overly focused on performance,’’ Senator Lundy said.

‘‘These things are taking the fun out of sports participation for some kids.’’

But Australia’s soccer captain, Melissa Barbieri, says reducing competitiveness is the wrong approach and there is great benefit in losing.

‘‘In sport now, it’s often trophies for everyone and no focus on winning. They don’t even count scores in some of the junior AFL leagues. I learnt most from losing, about being humble, not being a sore loser and shaking everyone’s hands at the end of the day.’’

Former Australian netball captain Liz Ellis says clubs need to find a way to appeal to both competitive and non-competitive kids.

‘‘There needs to be an understanding that not every kid is competitive and maybe, for the kids that aren’t, the clubs can cater to them in someway. But, if you take competitiveness out of it, the kids that might go on to an elite level are going to lose interest.''

The Australian Sports Commission's researcher, Paul Fairweather, said the idea was not to eliminate competition.

''Some kids love that aspect,'' he said. ''We're just saying don't forget about the fun because, for a certain group of people, competition can be a turnoff.

''We are telling clubs if they treat everyone equally they are more likely to retain kids and more likely to get kids joining clubs.''

The study found 52 per cent of primary school children are engaged in club sport. A further 25 per cent were once members of a club but have let their membership lapse.

Many drop out between the ages of 10 and 13, as clubs start to grade teams and segregate based on talent, separating them from their friends. Others notice better players are treated differently, such as being given more game time, at an age when children are often self-conscious.

The report recommends clubs appeal to ''sport resistant'' children by ensuring their services promote equal treatment and focus on fun regardless of ability. It also suggests clubs review costs and be more flexible on scheduling.

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