James Mannix
6 Mar 2025
Learning Life Through Sport Workshop with Rodney Campbell
Learning Life through Sport (LLTS) is a culture enhancing program that creates safe and inclusive environments for all participants in junior sport, including players, coaches, umpires, parents and spectators. It is designed to create positive game day experiences, by building connection, based on the three values of sportsmanship, respect and trying your hardest.
“What other area in society would two adults deem it acceptable to roar abuse at a 14-year-old” (TEEN UMP ABUSE MUST STOP - Jack Anderson, Herald Sun July 31, 2022)
Learning Life through Sport identifies positive ways to alter the inherited and often unacceptable behaviour of coaches, players, parents and supporters in junior sports. These behaviours include umpire dissent and abuse (bullying), bad sportsmanship and a lack of respect for sporting codes and participants of sport. The new environments support umpires, where they are treated with total respect, thus contributing to umpire enjoyment and retention.
The standard you walk past is the standard you accept and the time for change is now. In our society where youth suicide is the biggest killer of young people in Australia, we have the perfect opportunity to help develop resilience and positive life skills through sport. LLTS challenges social norms and inspires people and their communities to bring a new standard of behaviour and respect to sport and life.
LLTS is also available for school staff and parent groups, looking to enhance environments and build connection.
Learning Life Through Sport anticipated outcomes
Culture enhancement/change
Positive game day environments for everyone involved in sport
Safe and inclusive environments
Respect for umpires/referees, promoting umpire/referee retention
Teaching life values through sport - sportsmanship, respect and trying your hardest
Fostering connection and goodwill between competing teams
Reduction in game day behavioural issues, hence freeing up wasted time following up behaviour issues the following week
Improving resilience of young sports people
Focussing on learning life skills above winning games therefore reducing performance anxiety in young athletes
Junior sports people feeling emotionally supported (positive mental health support)
Becoming a destination sport attracting and retaining families
Additional resources:
View a short video clip from a recent podcast featuring LLTS on the Empowering Leaders Podcast platform with Luke Darcy HERE
LLTS was also featured on the Channel 7 National program, The House of Wellness HERE
Empowering Leaders Podcast platform with Luke Darcy featuring Learning Life through Sport founder Rod Campbell HERE
Website: Home | Learning Life Through Sport
Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552833158361&mibextid=LQQJ4d
Instagram link: https://instagram.com/learninglifethroughsport
Attached testimonials and endorsements:
LLTS Description document
An AFL endorsement letter supporting the LLTS program
A testimonial from Ali Foot, Head of Sport, Scotch Oakburn College, Launceston Tasmania.
Event Registration QR Code
BJFL Event Details:
This presentation is a FREE EVENT fully subsidised & hosted by the BJFL, and an opportunity not to be missed by Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Coaching Coordinators, Team Managers, or Relevant Team Support Staff.
DATE: Monday March 17, 2025
TIME: 6.00 – 8.00pm
VENUE: The Bendigo Club, ‘Naismith Room’, (22 Park St, Strathdale)
REGISTER NOW: https://forms.office.com/r/Kxqw7eijM3 (attendance by registration only)
Direct any enquiries to the BJFL via: operations@aflcentralvic.com.au