The Australian Sports Commission, along with almost 20 different organisations across the country, have thrown their support behind a campaign to stop poor off-field behaviour.
Aimed largely at junior sport, the 'Let Kids Be Kids' initiative offers parents and coaches information and resources about how best to deal with aggressive and anti-social behaviour on the sidelines.
Cricketer Usman Khawaja and former AFL player Nick Dal Santo are just two well-known sporting names joining the campaign.
Former Socceroos captain Alex Tobin says coaches must lead the way because parents take their cues from them.
Tobin has told SBS while parents should be passionate about their kids' sport, they must be aware of the boundaries.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"Focus your passion on the love of the game rather than being overly aggressive or overcritical of players," he said.
Soccerroos coach Ange Postecoglou has played for Australia and coached his country at a World Cup.
But his football dream nearly died as a youngster when a fight broke out on the sidelines.
He has told SBS the experience left him and his teammates terrified.
"So often I look back on my junior days and some of the most memorable moments weren't good ones."
