Cheering at children's sports up for debate in 'Shoosh for Kids' movement

While the move was targeted at reducing abuse and bullying toward children playing sports, members of Wagga's sporting community said it was a step too far.

Working in junior development for soccer, Liam Dedini said there was a place for positive feedback on the sidelines.

"It's a good thing to have positive reinforcement, we're massive supporters of the notion 'if you have nothing nice to say, don't say it at all'," he said.

"That's the reason kids play sports after all, to be encouraged and have fun."

Mr Dedini said he would be disappointed if cheering was to be banned across the board.

"We try and steer away from negative comments and also parents trying to coach from the sideline, but encouraging comments are always welcome," he said.

Jeremy Maumann has experience on both ends as president of Kooringal AFL Junior League and as a parent of three young soccer players.

"The reality is, we've never had much of a problem with this sort of thing in Wagga, there's generally good crowds and a few clubs have ground managers anyway to control people if they get too loud and out of hand," he said, "So to ban cheering is outrageous."

From a coaching perspective, Sam Gray of the Wagga Futsal Club said it came down to providing a positive environment for the children.

"A lot of kids sports gets taken far too seriously, it is about having fun, these kids are all equally as welcome to be there and enjoy themselves so parents and even coaches too need to relax and remember that," he said.

"There is positive commentary, and then there's carrying on and putting too much pressure on the kids but really, friendly cheering is always welcome."

The NSW Office of Sport introduced a 'Shoosh for Kids' initiative to reduce pressure on children and promote a more respectful crowd.

"Sport should be fun for kids and we all have a role to play in ensuring it is a positive experience," a spokesperson from NSW Office of Sport said.

"One of the best ways we can do this is to keep comments positive so that kids want to keep playing and enjoying the benefits that it offers.

"The message is simple, if you don't have anything positive to say, don't say anything at all."

The spokesperson said they were rolling out a campaign aimed at making sport a positive experience for everyone by embracing six golden rules: