I'm not quite sure where my bairns get their sporting genes from, but they have them in spades. 

Both are pretty naturally gifted sportsmen – nothing makes me prouder than standing on the sidelines cheering them on.

I've done it in blizzards, gales, scorching sunshine (this one very rarely) and always tried to show encouragement to them and their team-mates.

But like many parents, I've seen and heard other adults take it all too seriously and worse, vent their frustrations at children and young people playing on the park.

There have been parents who have squared up to each other, adult spectators who abused officials and worst of all, adults actually verbally or physically abusing children.

It seems I'm not alone.  Research out from Children 1st Safeguarding in Sport service confirms – from children and young people themselves – that they are often subjected to intimidating and abusive behaviour from adults when they take part in sport.

Nearly half of respondents said they had been directly targeted by bad behaviour from spectators, with a further 40% saying they had seen it happening to other players.

Most commonly, children said they were subjected to swearing and name-calling but some children also told of instances of pushing, kicking, hitting and spitting.

One in five children who took part in the survey said the bad behaviour adversely affected their performance and made them want to quit.

On the back of the research, Children 1st  is launching a campaign to sideline such bad behaviour.  Not before time. Sport can and should make a positive contribution to children and young people's health, wellbeing and development.

It allows them to make friends and develop new skills.  It should not make them feel threatened or unsafe.

Keeping children safe and enabling them to have fun while participating in sport is vital – it's why Children 1st set up Safeguarding in Sport to provide training and consultancy on child protection issues and procedures for sports bodies and coaches.

And it's why this research is so shocking. There is no other situation where it would be acceptable to treat children like this but in sport, it is often excused as "part of the game".

But it simply isn't acceptable, and it's why Children 1st's campaign is offering solutions to the problem with advice for parents, resources and training for sports organisations and examples of good practice for people to take on board.

There's a special campaign helpline offering advice and information to anyone concerned about bad behaviour on the sidelines of children's sporting activities and events.

Often, parents and other adults say nothing and do nothing, even when they see something they know is wrong.  It's usually because people are afraid or not sure how to go about tackling a situation, without it escalating.

But it's important that we don't all stand by and watch children being abused like this. Passion is a vital component in sport but the emphasis must always be that the game belongs to young players, not adults on the sideline.

If we want our children to grow up enjoying and participating in sport, and feeling passionate about it, we need to ensure they feel safe, supported and positive when they do participate.

Being told by your parent that you're a disgrace to the family, or being subjected to racist taunts, or bad-mouthed by adults supporting the opposition for being good, has no place in children's sport.

It's why we should all support Children 1st's campaign and take action to sideline adults' bad behaviour.

Anyone concerned about the impact of an adult's bad behaviour on the sidelines on a child can get help and advice by calling 0141 418 5674. And you can find out more about the campaign at www.children1st.org.uk