Play with passion.
Cheer with respect.
Help us create the kind of poolside environment where young people want to play, grow and keep coming back.
Sport should be a place young people feel supported, challenged and excited to return to. The way adults behave around the pool has a real impact on the experience they have.
What happens on the sideline matters.
of kids who play sport stop at age 11. Poor sideline behaviour is identified as a key contributor.
of surveyed parents, carers and supporters said they had witnessed poor sideline behaviour in young people's sport in the previous 12 months.
Good support looks like this.
Passion is part of sport. We don't want less passion — we want it channelled in a way that helps players enjoy the game and perform at their best.
Cheer the effort.
Celebrate great play, resilience, teamwork and improvement — not just the scoreboard.
Respect the officials.
Referees and officials are part of the game. Let them do their job without abuse or intimidation.
Let coaches coach.
Players need one clear voice. Support from the side rather than trying to direct the game from the stands.
Keep perspective.
It's their game. Help make the experience one they want to come back to next week.
Good feelings become good behaviours.
Love Their Game is an Auckland-wide initiative led by Aktive and supported by regional sporting organisations, including Auckland Water Polo. It reinforces positive sideline behaviour and helps create quality sport experiences for young people.
Make it visible.
We've made the Love Their Game resources easy for Auckland clubs to use. Access logos, posters, signage, messaging guidance, social media assets and other campaign material from the AWP Club Kit.
THEIR
GAME.
ON THE SIDELINES.
A better experience for everyone.
Players first.
The experience and wellbeing of the people playing the game comes before adult emotion on the sideline.
Respect across the pool.
Players, coaches, referees, officials, volunteers and supporters all deserve a safe and respectful environment.
We all shape the culture.
Every club, team and supporter contributes to the environment people experience when they come to water polo.
Bring the passion.
Bring the respect.
Cheer hard. Support your team. Respect the people making the game happen. Love their game.