«If a child says they don't like sport, it's often due to the circumstances»

Mrs Ehrler-Scharplatz, Mrs Rest-Rivero, what do you recommend to parents who are looking for the perfect sport for their child?

Ladina Ehrler-Scharplatz: There is no such thing as the perfect sport. The most important thing is that the child tries out a lot at first.

Isabel Rest-Rivero: That's why I would advise letting your son or daughter get a taste of polysport. Polysport is ideal as an introduction because it is the most universal sport of all. You'll find the whole range here - whether it's apparatus gymnastics, gymnastics, athletics, individual and team sports, but also forms of exercise such as obstacle courses or post races. This allows children to familiarise themselves with a wide variety of sports. This in turn promotes agility, strength, endurance, rhythm and responsiveness.

There are also offers such as the «Day of Sports Clubs», where children can get a taste of many different sports. What do you think of this?

Rest-Rivero: Such programmes are good, of course. Ideally, however, children don't just try out different forms of exercise briefly, but do so over a longer period of time without having to commit to one sport. That's why polysports are so ideal: they train broadly from an early age and can still decide on a different sport at the age of 12 or 13. However, children should first get to know themselves and gain confidence in their bodies and abilities through a variety of activities.

What if my child doesn't want to do sport?

Ehrler-Scharplatz: As a rule, all children like to exercise. If a child says they don't like sport, it's often due to the circumstances.

What are the possible circumstances?

Rest-Rivero: The biggest motivator for children to take part in sport is the fun of exercise. For them, however, the social aspect comes right after that: if their mates join a group, it's simply a draw. The instructor, trainer and group cohesion are also important for them. The social factors often have more influence on whether a child enjoys a sport than the actual experience.

Social factors are often more important than concrete experiences.

Ehrler-Scharplatz: Reliability also motivates children. For example, the fact that a programme takes place every week and that the same leader, the same stable reference person is always there. This factor should not be underestimated in a society in which many things are very fleeting.

But what should I do if my child only ever wants to do what his girlfriend does, but this doesn't suit him at all?

Rest-Rivero: It doesn't matter. Let your child go to sport with their friend. Sooner or later, they will realise what they enjoy the most - and then pursue it. We've often had children who have started with us together, and after a while they've all decided on the sport they like best. That comes with time.

Ehrler-Scharplatz: In fact, we often have conversations with parents who feel they have to decide which sport is the right one for their child. In the beginning, it's all about getting children moving, trying things out and, above all, sticking with it. Later on, they can still develop and go in a certain direction. That's why we encourage all parents: Have faith in your children! And take the pressure off.

But perhaps a different sport suits my daughter, who is bursting with energy, than my introverted son, right? Just as some people are better suited to individual sports, while others are better suited to team sports.

Rest-Rivero: Yes, every child has different talents and needs. But what I have learnt in all these years as a coach: An initially shy child can be the wildest child after the third lesson and vice versa. That's why I wouldn't try to push my child in one direction from the outset. Whether it's a team or individual sport also depends on the child's interests. Team sports have the advantage that children and young people also feel motivated by the group to stay involved. With individual sports, they tend to concentrate on themselves and their own performance.

Ehrler-Scharplatz: I would advise parents against trying to compensate for their child's supposed weaknesses with a sport. «Don't stress yourselves out,» I recommend to parents here, «don't put so much pressure on yourselves!». And perhaps also: «Let go of your expectations!» It's not about letting your own unfulfilled sporting dreams be realised by your offspring, but about understanding your son or daughter as an independent person.

How important is the physical proximity of a sports programme?

Rest-Rivero: That plays a big role for me. When choosing, I would actually pay particular attention to what is on offer in the neighbourhood. There is no floorball in the village or neighbourhood, but there is a football group with a good reputation? Then go and play football!

Ehrler-Scharplatz: Proximity to a sports facility is important for independence, but also for organisation in everyday life. Especially because there are often connections beyond sport.

Let's assume the child comes home from sport happy. But before training, they always say «I don't feel like it», «I don't want to», «I'm ill» or something similar. Should I insist that they go anyway?

Rest-Rivero: Yes. I would tell the child: «Look, there are others there too, there's your team waiting for you.» We coaches are dependent on the support of the parents here. And parents who remain consistent in this respect are also a blessing for the child: Because they are happy after training.

Ehrler-Scharplatz: In addition, parents with such a clear attitude towards the child create trust - because they remain reliable.

But how does this work with older children? Especially during puberty, many young people's motivation for sport often plummets. How do you deal with this?

Ehrler-Scharplatz: That's true, other topics often come up at the age of 13 or 14. The peer group becomes more important, the search for an apprenticeship takes up a lot of space. It's okay if a child then realises: «Sport is too much for me.» Clubs need to be open and say: «Then you'll only come to training once a month.» Maybe it will become more after a while.

Do you see any other possibilities?

Rest-Rivero: At our club, young people aged 14 and over can become assistant leaders. They complete a short training programme and then support the younger children in training. This is an incentive for many of them to stay involved and continue doing sport. In turn, we keep them in the club by giving them responsibility. What is very important, especially during puberty, is to have a specific task, to be involved somewhere. For us, of course, this is also a way of securing the next generation: these young people may later become coaches themselves. In general, it is important to involve young people more in society.

Ehrler-Scharplatz: Some people simply outgrow a sport during puberty or simply need a different form of exercise. In this case, it helps to reorient yourself. But children of this age know this themselves, parents have little influence on this.

But isn't it too late for some sports? If you don't start playing football or handball until you're 14, you won't have such an easy time in many teams because most of your peers will have started much earlier.

Ehrler-Scharplatz: But that is primarily down to the leaders or how someone is accepted into a group. In terms of athletic performance, this should be a problem in very few cases.

First and foremost, it depends on how exercise is generally practised at home.

Rest-Rivero: The only foundation stone that should ideally be laid at an early age is the joy of sport and exercise. Parents have a major influence here in the early years.

It is therefore important to encourage young athletes as early as possible.

Rest-Rivero: Starting with mother-child or father-child gymnastics and then moving on to children's gymnastics is of course ideal. Especially as children learn a lot from other children. It also strengthens their coordination skills. But you can also start doing sport later. Although a young body naturally learns faster.

Ehrler-Scharplatz: First and foremost, it depends on how exercise is generally practised at home and what role models mum and dad are in this respect. The foundation for sporting activity is laid in childhood and continues into old age. And that is so important.

Does it always have to be a specific sport? Isn't romping around in the playground enough?

Ehrler-Scharplatz: Children absolutely need time to play by themselves and without supervision, for example in the playground or in the forest.

At first, it's just about getting children to move at all.

Rest-Rivero: I would say that both are important. A playground offers an ideal setting for exercise. But children are more likely to learn fairness, commitment and team play in a sports lesson.

Ehrler-Scharplatz: Exactly! Perseverance, dealing with success and failure and taking responsibility for the team are also part of it. Or dealing with others, finding your place in a team and sticking to the rules. In short, sport teaches you something for all areas of life. And you feel like you belong to a group - that is very important.

Rest-Rivero: And ideally, you learn to be passionate about something. Being passionate about something is something that is generally lost in our society. Sport can also help with this.