Any parents who know the pain of clutching a hot coffee on the damp, cold side of a court or field in winter know that there's only one reason you'd be convinced to do such a thing - unconditional love.
A new study commissioned by Milo has found Kiwi parents value being a part of a sports team so much they are spending an average of 145 hours - or six full days - supporting their child's sporting ambitions each year.
According to the survey of 1000 New Zealanders with children aged between four and 16, almost three hours a week on average are spent on everything from driving children to practice and watching games, to at-home skills practice and, of course, washing kit.
Close to half (47 percent) of respondents said they spend more than 20 minutes a week - the equivalent of 40 hours per year - washing and prepping their kid's sports kits/uniforms ahead of practice and games.
On average, 55 percent spend more than 30 minutes per week watching their kid practise or play sports, the equivalent of two days per year.
Meanwhile, one in four (24 percent) Kiwi parents spend more than 50 minutes driving their child to and from practice and sports games - adding up to 20 hours a year.
Milo conducted the study to coincide with its Pitch Your Club promotion; a competition that gives teams and sports clubs across Aotearoa the chance to win a share of $50,000 in cash and sports equipment, plus the opportunity to feature in a Rebel Sports advert.
Winners will be chosen by a judging panel including New Zealand sporting greats Dame Valerie Adams, Scott Barrett and Katrina Rore.
