Opinion: Kids in sport stay out of court

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Many parents around the region are just starting to get their weekends back.

Winter sports are officially over after many local clubs held their annual prize giving ceremonies at the weekend.

As we rejoice in no longer having to put on layers of thermals ready to cower on the sidelines at rugby, football, hockey and netball, we could be forgiven for being grateful winter was over.

Now the kids have collected their certificates, and for some, medals and trophies, here's a special pat on the back for parents.

When your child makes a commitment to play a winter sport, it's not just about being in the best team, scoring all the tries or getting all the goals.

These kids are learning they need to be somewhere at a certain time, how to stand in line, how to be quiet while their coach talks, how to share, how to listen, how to make friends, how to be in a team and take turns and how to win and lose.

Most of these kids heading to the grounds and courts on Saturday and Sunday mornings might never be in the All Blacks or Silver Ferns but they will have a bunch of skills other kids won't simply from taking part.

When you look at the faces of the kids, you can see they love it. Why wouldn't they? They're running around with their mates, they get delicious oranges at half-time and sometimes treats at the end of the game.

They usually get their hands on a player of the day trophy for a week making them feel proud, they get to go to fun tournaments and events and wear cool uniforms.

So why don't more kids get to experience that?

Mostly it's because not every parent or caregiver gives a damn. They simply can't be bothered investing the time and effort (or the approximate $40 to $50 for subscriptions) for their children to play sport or participate in any other extra activity, such as music.

At our Waikite Junior Rugby Club prizegiving on Saturday, I was chatting to a father of six whose children all excel locally and internationally in sport.

His weeks are spent driving each child to their chosen sports as well as coaching and running a bunch of teams and codes.

Winters are mayhem for the busy working family but they wouldn't have it any other way.

He and his wife have raised good kids and their motto is worth sharing - kids in sport stay out of court.