‘Win at all costs’ culture puts pressure on children in sport

CHILDREN feel under pressure to be the best at sports amid a “win at all costs” culture, according to a new survey.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Apr 2013, 10:21 BST

It reveals that many youngsters say their teammates have resorted to cheating to win, with children admitting they have seen others resorting to unsportsmanlike behaviour such as fouling, diving and time-wasting.

The poll, conducted by the Chance to Shine cricket charity and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) asked about1,000 eight to 16-year-olds for their views on sport.

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The findings show that almost nine in 10 (87.5 per cent) say they have felt under pressure to win when they play sport, with around one in eight (12.9 per cent) of these admitting they feel this pressure all the time.

Almost half (46.9 per cent) say they feel this pressure from other children, including teammates, while others say they feel it from teachers (11.9 per cent), coaches (10) and their parents (6.7).

Wasim Khan, chief executive of Chance to Shine, said it was a real concern that many youngsters were struggling in a “pressure cooker” of sport.