Children should not have to watch adults lose control from the sideline. Referees should not be abused for helping kids play a game. Clubs should not have to cancel fixtures because grown-ups cannot behave.
Recent Waikato incidents have brought sideline abuse back into focus. Junior officials and young players can be directly affected by adult behaviour.
Community sport depends on volunteers, families and trust.
The answer is not complicated: codes of conduct need consequences, and clubs need the confidence to enforce them.
A better response would back referees publicly and make it clear which behaviours end someone's involvement at the ground.
The real test is whether codes and clubs act before more young officials walk away.
