Following on from the recent article I wrote on the start of winter sport, I thought it would be appropriate to write this one on the main reasons that kids quit sport.

Firstly, let's absorb this stat from the US: each year 20 million children register for baseball, soccer, football, hockey and other competitive sports; but about 70 per cent of those will quit by age 13! And while this percentage may not quite be that high in NZ, it is still way higher than it should be.

They also say that most of these kids will never play sport again. Ever.

So while you are standing on the side line of your child’s game this Saturday, stop and have a think if they will be among the 30 per cent who stick at it?

There are probably a multitude of things a kid may ask themselves when considering whether to keep playing – possibly two at the top of the list would be “is it fun?” and “are my parents supportive?”

When I was young the ref wasn't screamed at and abused by hostile parents (at least I cannot remember that happening!). We didn’t play our sport to please our parents, we played for ourselves - basically for the fun of running around a paddock or court with our mates.

And that is the first point I’m trying to make - fun needs to be at the very heart of sport, especially for kids. Even at the elite level, research now shows all athletes need a fun activity in their training session. 13 year olds certainly do. And they don’t need the pressure of thinking they have to be the next All Black or Silver Fern.

And, going by research, if you are a yeller, your children will hate that, and therefore they will hate playing. Children hate mothers and fathers behaving aggressively on the side line of junior sports events, especially their own.

How can sport be fun when the car ride home after playing sport is your kid’s worst nightmare? Whether you are five or 16, the journey from the ground to home can be a non-stop parent-teaching moment.

Whether you've played well or not, your dad can let you know what you should have done. Ran when you should have passed, should have shot when you had the chance. He becomes one of those shoulda-coulda-woulda dads.

Mum goes off about the netball umpire and your coach not giving you enough playing time. That car ride home can sure be pure joy for both you and your child.

The funny thing is kids know if they've played well or if they’ve played badly. You don't need to tell them. The car is a pretty intense and closed environment. Kids can sense your every thought, your disappointment, your anger. It's all there, crowding in.

So contemplate this - what do you say on the car ride home?

What about simply, 'geez, I love watching you play out there'?