Etiquette

Spectator Sportsmanship

It is naturally expected a Gentleman knows his limits with alcohol and is able to control himself in this regard accordingly. As a reminder: If not permitted on site, do not binge drink beforehand. If permitted on site, simply restrict your intake to ensure you are in control of your behavior, actions and language. If you cannot control yourself with alcohol – don't drink or don't attend - either way we suggest you sign yourself into the nearest clinic or join a relevant self-help group!

Clap at appropriate times and not to put other participants off - it has even been used to taunt people and discourage them – do not do it. Use applause to encourage and to recognize. Even with opposing teams/participants i.e. clap when they enter onto the sporting area, if someone has to retire due to injury and at the end of the sport (regardless of the outcome) etc.

Simply put this is unacceptable behavior, regardless of the level of the sport, or to whom it is directed. Even your team/participant will have off days and even off seasons. It is up to the management team to handle poor performance of any participants, not the spectators. Participants who display unsportsmanlike behavior should be ignored – silence can be a powerful tool. Just remember to cheer where you can and for positive reasons only.

Use your vocal capabilities to cheer for your participant/team and not against the opponent(s). Certainly do not call out and make a noise to throw people off their game.

Treat other spectators with respect and consideration. Do not stand in front of them without checking to see if you are obscuring their view – certainly where this includes younger or frail spectators, offer to change positions so that they have a better view (certainly better than if you were standing in front of them!). It never ceases to amaze us the response we get when making such an offer e.g. grateful parents/guardians, not to mention the smiles of joy from the children concerned!

Many sporting events are ticket entry and can be expensive, so have a care for the cost which has been incurred and ensure you make your fellow spectators viewing (regardless of whom they support) a pleasurable experience – no droning and ongoing running commentaries, no continual denigrating remarks – add to the experience by joining in with gasps, joyous celebrations etc. Remember the simple advice: “do to others as you would have done to you”.

As a gentleman, it is anticipated you do not swear or curse in public anyway. However, we are fully aware of the passion sporting occasions can arouse in people. It is therefore even more important at such events to keep a firm control of your language. Sporting occasions are viewed as family activities and thus your approach is noted by many different groups of society – you cannot be a gentleman only when you choose.

Often the rules of the sport specify no swearing and if the participants are to abide by these rules then so should the spectators. At some events there is even a zero tolerance rule applied and spectators may be ejected for bad behaviour including swearing. Remember who you are, where you are and who is around you.

These people are in positions of authority and responsibility. On no account should you fail to abide by their directions and instructions and you should certainly never harangue, shout or attack them (verbally or physically). Leave them alone and let them do the job they are there to do, if it wasn’t for them there wouldn’t be a game to watch! If you cannot control yourself to do this – you should not be there! Plus, you may have a better viewing advantage compared with the officials, who have to take split second decisions based on their view; they may not even have the benefit of recorded replay to review (while spectators may have this provided).

Remember why you are there – to enjoy the sport and support a particular individual or team. However, one of the strangest occurrences we witness is fans leaving the sports area before the event has finished. Usually this occurs 10-15 minutes before the end, when the side being supported is losing or the game has been slow, uninspiring and/or a draw. Spectators decide to get to the exits/car park before the end of game rush.

We believe this is rude and disrespectful to the participants – you are there to support them, so be there at the end of the game to clap them off the sports area. We cannot imagine what the participants think when they see empty stands/seats/bleachers, vacated by their supporters before the game finishes. If you support your team, then support your team. Stick with them in both good and bad games, tournaments and seasons.