Aussie kids are good sports:

Olympic Games sponsor, McDonald’s, has revealed new research which shows that Aussie kids are “role models” when it comes to sportsmanship and good sporting values.

Almost all children believe playing fair (98%) and team work (96%) are more important than winning (49%), with 71% also saying that they always play fair.

Importantly, 50% of Australian children also recognise that playing sport is the best way of learning how to be part of a team, and more than two thirds (69%) would prefer to play in a team than play a solo sport.

The McDonald’s Champion of Play Index was commissioned to mark the launch of McDonald’s Champion of Play competition.

“Learning values such as confidence, teamwork, resilience and playing fair are imperative to becoming a well-rounded adult,” according to child psychologist, Ian Wallace.

Mr Wallace said the research also showed that parents have a strong influence on their children, with 66% say that their parents gave them more confidence than anyone.

“More than half of the children (55%) also said their parents are their biggest role model over their teachers, siblings and even their friends. Learning through examples set by parental figures is one of the most important ways a child learns behavioural characteristics such as confidence and resilience,” Mr Wallace said.

Former Olympic rower, James Tomkins, said the results of the research show that “Aussie kids are leading by example in sportsmanship.”

He said that the Champions of Play Index also shows that Australian children of today still want to be sporting heroes.

“32% of children have sport related ambitions and 97% are confident they can achieve their dreams if they work really hard. This is fantastic,” said Mr Tomkins.

“As an ex-Olympian myself, I know that it is this sort of drive and determination instilled in you as a child, that can help lead you towards great things.

The McDonald’s Champion of Play competition encourages children to tell their story of fair play, team work, not giving up and having confidence for a chance to win a trip to the London Olympics with a parent or guardian.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data show that 37% of all Australian children do not play any form of organised sport, as reported on previously by motherpedia.

Further information

• Check out http://www.championofplay.com.au