Nick Riewoldt Blasts Australian Junior Sport's No-Winners Policy
AFL Hall of Famer Nick Riewoldt has declared that the push to eliminate winners and losers in Australian junior sport has crossed a line. The St Kilda icon, who retired in 2017 after 336 games, moved to Texas in January 2023 to be near his wife's family, stepping back from media roles to live in Houston with his American spouse Cath and their three young sons.
American Sports Experience Shapes Family's View
During their time abroad, Riewoldt's boys—James, Will, and Teddy—embraced American sports like baseball and American football, joining local clubs for competitive play. Since returning to Australia in late 2024, Riewoldt has rejoined Channel 7 as a top AFL analyst, while his sons have started playing junior footy in Melbourne.
"We've loved being back," Riewoldt told 7NEWS.com.au. "Missed the footy while we were gone, so to be back and immersed in it, have my boys playing footy and being able to take them to St Kilda games—which is something I've never really been able to do in the past—we loved it last year and looking forward to more of it this year."
Riewoldt Praises US Youth Sports Model
However, the 43-year-old admits his sons miss the American sports scene, where he felt the experience was superior. "They loved playing American football, they loved playing baseball," he said. "And kids sport over there—I'm happy to say it—I felt like it was a better experience. It felt like real sport."
Riewoldt criticized the Australian emphasis on participation, where scores are often not kept and trophies are given to all. "The over-emphasis here on participation, and everyone gets a trophy... over there, they keep score, they have ring ceremonies, and the kids love that stuff," he explained. "We had some of the most incredible sporting experiences over there where all the parents were all in."
Call for More Maturity in Australian Junior Sport
Reflecting on his sons' under-10s footy in Melbourne, Riewoldt expressed concern that Australian junior sport has lost its competitive edge by overly protecting children's feelings. "I think kids that age should be treated with a bit more maturity," he added. "We don't want to lose the element of fun and make them get too serious too quickly, but at the same time, kids know the score, kids keep score. They know exactly at the end of the game whether they've won or lost, so why do we pretend like that's not a thing?"
Riewoldt's Return to AFL Media Spotlight
Since his comeback, Riewoldt has become a key figure in Channel 7's AFL coverage, serving as an expert commentator on Thursday nights and a panelist on The Agenda Setters on Mondays. He remains enthusiastic about his role heading into 2026. "I just love being a part of Thursday night footy, the big games, big crowds," the former Saints captain said. "Despite being out of the game for close to a decade, it's still a rush to be out there, feel the energy when teams run through the banner and you're standing there with a microphone in your hand. I do really look forward to that."
