Should parents behave better at kids' sports events?

Do your parents come and watch you in sporting events? Do they stand on the side lines and clap or cheer, or do they sometimes get a little too involved?

In one part of London, parents have been told they're not allowed to come and watch school sports taking place during the day anymore.

It's because of reports of bad behaviour from some grown-ups on the side-lines.

The Merton School Sport Partnership, which organises sports and PE activities for over 40 primary schools in places like Wimbledon and Morden in London, sent out a letter explaining the ban last week.

Read on to find out more, join in our vote and remember to head to the comments to have your say about this issue.

Merton School Sport Partnership have sent out a letter banning parents from attending sports events like football, hockey tournaments and gymnastics competitors that take place during the school day.

They explained it was because there has been had been a few incidents where adults at events hadn't been showing good sportsmanship.

Examples of these reportedly included adults getting in the way of runners and "abuse towards officials and other children".

Newsround contacted Merton council, and the sports company, but neither came back to us with any comment.

Lots of parents like to support their children doing sports, but sometimes bad behaviour can lead to arguments and children and adults feeling uncomfortable

However, others have asked if it's fair to ban all parents just because some misbehave.

The local MP Paul Kohler told The Times newspaper the decision was "deeply disappointing" and that the behaviour of a minority of parents had spoiled things for most parents who "behaved responsively and supportively".

He added that most parents "would not want any child, teacher, or volunteer to ever feel unsafe or threatened at what should be an enjoyable family-friendly event.

This isn't the first time that adults at children's sporting events have hit the headlines.

Back in March 2025 we told you about National Silent Support Weekend, where England Football encouraged adults to be quieter at kid's matches and a lot of you let us know what you thought in the comments.

And back in 2014, a headteacher from St Aubyn's preparatory school in north London spoke out on the issue, even writing a guide for parents on how to encourage their children appropriately.

So, the issue isn't something new, but is this sporting partnerships solution the right one? Let us know what you think down below.