Rachael Finch Sparks Controversy: ‘We Are Their Team’ – No Team Sports for Kids

Rachael Finch has copped backlash from her followers after she revealed the reason she won’t put her kids in any team sports.

The model, 36, who shares Violet, eight, and Dominic, six, with Michael Miziner, sparked controversy with an Instagram clip on Monday.

In the video, her husband and eldest child could be seen training at the tennis courts, with Rachael adding a caption which raised eyebrows. 

‘People ask, “Why don’t your kids play team sports?”‘ the mother-of-two wrote over the video. 

‘We are their team,’ she added. 

Rachael went on to explain the controversial statement, saying she always wanted to be on her family’s team no matter what.  

‘I’ll carry the water bottles. I’ll chop up the oranges. I don’t care what I do – just so long as I get to be on this team,’ she wrote. 

Rachael said she hopes her children learn lessons in ‘resilience, accountability, confidence, winning and losing with grace, emotional balance, and that what you put in is what you get out’.

However, even if they didn’t, the proud mum said ‘being there every single time they turn their head to the sideline’ was a dream for both her and her husband. 

‘The fact they’re out learning more about themselves in a challenging yet supportive environment while enjoying themselves is what counts,’ she said. 

Adding the decision to play team sports was one which depended on the child, she posed the question to other parents: ‘Do you think it’s better if kids play team or individual sports?’

Rachael’s followers poured into the comments section with their takes on the parenting view, with many calling out her decision.    

‘My kids do play team sports, that doesn’t mean my husband and I aren’t their team,’ one person sourly wrote.

Another chimed in: ‘I think children need to be playing with other children and not just around their parents all the time. That’s just my opinion.’

‘Definitely team sports, and without parents around or on sidelines is crucial to self empowerment and development,’ another person added. 

Other parents reflected on the question, saying a little bit of both was the best course of action, so long as it’s what the children want to do. 

‘I think playing any sport is great! Team or individual. As the kids get older they will tell you what they want to continue with or if they want to change sports,’ one person expressed.

Another fan said: ‘As long as the kids are doing what they choose to do and love it that’s all that matters.’

‘My kids play both team and individual sports. There’s no better or worse or right or wrong. Just what works for your child and family,’ another weighed in. 

This isn’t the first time the social media personality has been slammed online for her kids’ sporting regimens. 

Rachel and Michael made headlines in November after sharing a video showing their two children undergoing gruelling tennis training sessions.

Taking to Instagram, the TV personality shared a montage video which showed Violet and Dominic undergoing various training drills both day and night.

The video showed the brother and sister in a rigorous training mode, including strenuous box jumps on a park bench, squats and serving drills.

Captioning the post, Rachael said she and Michael, who appears in the video, were instilling a work-ethic in their young children.

‘They may or may not play at Wimbledon. But they will learn a lot about themselves and what they’re capable of in the process,’ she wrote.

‘It’s our job to figure out ways to teach them drive, passion, self-respect and work ethic. How to build something they can be proud of. How to show up, even when you don’t feel like it.’

Rachael finished the post with: ‘By far the hardest job, but certainly the most rewarding.’

One now former follower took severe umbrage with the video, feeling it necessary to reply to Rachel directly informing her she had lost a fan.

‘Really horrible to watch. Unfollowing,’ the disgruntled fan wrote, which Rachael screenshot and shared to her Instagram story. 

Appearing unperturbed by the negativity, Rachael captioned the post with a flippant: ‘Okie dokie.’