A junior footy league in Victoria is cracking down on pushy parents.
Melbourne’s Eastern Football League has introduced ‘Silent Sundays’, where shouting, talking to the umpire and coaching from the sidelines is banned.
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Respectful clapping and cheering after a goal is allowed.
Dyson Baker, General Manager of Football Operations at the League, said the move aims to target aggressive and inappropriate spectator behaviour.
“We’ve got parents who are, in one way or another, abusing children,” he told Sunrise.
“This is a way of starting a conversation, building an awareness and making people understand that what’s going on isn’t going to be tolerated”
Mr Baker hopes the silent games will also make it easier for umpires and referees, who are often abused by parents from the sideline.
“The retention rate for umpires isn’t great. The more positive environment we can create, the better it is for everyone,” he said.
This article originally appeared on 7News
