During the 2026 World Cup, spectators around the world were all enamored with one player in particular: Erling Braut Haaland. The Norwegian soccer player is known for his size, speed and ability to score impossible goals, but that’s not the reason why women on the internet have found themselves courting him. No, the clips of him being pushed into our feeds were all the times he helped pull opponents off the field, did something stupid on the field, or handed a sweat-soaked towel to a staff member to shake his hand instead of throwing it at their feet. So how do you instill good sportsmanship in your kids, especially in a society where half the games are ruined by parents screaming on the sidelines? (you know they are I’m not worried about sportsmanship…)
In a world where youth sports are more serious than ever, despite the fact that only 2% of youth athletes actually receive scholarships, how do we create so many players like our new favorite Vikings, goofy players who are happy just to be here, because that’s the energy that makes them want to get everyone to practice on time?
What’s different in Norway?
Thinking about how to make sure your child is a good athlete is part of parenting, just like thinking about how to make sure your child is kind, inclusive, and a good friend. You want your child to be the person who helps opponents off the field and appreciates the person who brought him a water bottle during halftime.
The reason this attitude is likely reflected in the video of Haaland and the Norwegian national team is because of their culture’s attitude toward youth sports, said Madison Gates, vice president of marketing at i9 Sports, which provides community-based youth sports leagues across the country. As Scary Mummy reported during the Olympics, Norway follows a document called Children’s Rights in Sport, a model that declares that youth sports should focus on the joy of play and that children can refuse to participate in competitions or games altogether. We don’t even keep score until the kids are 13 years old.
“I love that Norway is getting on this international stage and (showing) how far they’ve come with that foundation. You don’t have to play an away league or spend thousands of dollars every weekend to play five days a week. What’s really important is letting the kids build their foundation not only on the field, but off the field. That’s the sportsmanship part of picking your teammates off the field and saying good job to your teammates,” Gates said.
How can I inculcate good sportsmanship in my children?
First, if you want to develop Haaland, look for a league that mimics Norway’s approach. That means avoiding highly competitive leagues, choosing leagues that are inclusive (such as no tryouts), and prioritizing values like enthusiasm and teamwork, Gates said. Leagues that award sportsmanship awards in addition to championship trophies are green flagged.
In parenting terms, it’s like saying what you want your child to see more of. Gates says you shouldn’t coach in the car on the way home from a game. you should raise children.
“You’re just saying, ‘I love watching you play. I love watching you play. I love watching you have fun. I love watching you be a good teammate.’ Really, your job is to help them. It’s about making sure they’re having fun and learning something. ‘Okay, well, you made this mistake, but what did you learn?’ What was the most exciting thing about today’s game or practice? A lot of it isn’t, ‘I won.’ A lot of kids come back and say, “Oh, I made a great pass,” or “Susie was nice to me.” ”
Of course, celebrate when your child scores a goal. But celebrate just as much, if not more, when you check on an injured player on the opposing team or show appreciation for your team’s volunteers and support staff.
“Every child will struggle, whether it’s learning to lose gracefully or learning to be humble while winning,” Gates said. The key, she says, is for you as a parent to have your coach worry about skills and strategy, while also encouraging you, as a parent, to see sports as fun and a way to connect and learn from others. After that, sportsmanship will come naturally.
