“How they treat others matters more than the score” – Athlete Dad of 2, Sidney Kumar

“You don’t need to be an athlete to model an active lifestyle. Go for walks, dance in the kitchen, try backyard games. Kids pick up on enthusiasm more than skill.”

Sidney Kumar is no stranger to competitive settings. The former Team SG rugby player (and now the General Manager at the Singapore Rugby Union) has worn many hats: professional athlete, podcaster, founder of youth development programme Sportify Kids, husband and dad of two. But to him, life isn’t all about just “winning”. Instead, he encourages his kids, Sienna (6) and Eli (3), to value effort over outcomes–something that we fellow parents can always stand to remind ourselves.

We spoke to Sidney, who was a SportSG ambassador of the National Family Carnival organised by Families for Life that took place in EXPO in June. Here, he shares with us his parenting mantras, how he and his wife, Gwen, support each of his children’s unique interests while keeping their family bond strong, and the values and lessons he’s learnt through sport.

Read more Cool Dad interviews here.

Hi Sidney, tell us a little about yourself.

Hi! I’m Sidney Kumar, your average husband and dad to two wonderful kids. I am a former Team Singapore rugby player and currently work as a General Manager at the Singapore Rugby Union. I grew up in a very active environment where sport was more than just physical activity–it was how we learned about discipline, resilience, and connection. That philosophy has stuck with me into parenting and everything I do today.

What does a typical weekend look like for the Kumar family?

It’s organised chaos, to be honest! Weekend mornings usually start with a hearty breakfast either at home or at our favourite café. That’s followed by classes for the kids. Eli goes to a rugby session at the Titans Rugby football club run by the coaches from Kidmando. I love that setup as the sessions infuse elements of multi-sport fundamentals into a rugby syllabus. Sienna would be off at ballet as she enjoys the discipline and aesthetics around dance. Weekend afternoons are usually spent at a park or playground anywhere in Singapore.

Gwen and I recognise the importance of staying active together by doing outdoor activities, and make an effort to build in these moments of quality family time. The kids also do swimming, and we are constantly exploring new sports or activities that allow us to bond.

You’re raising two young kids with very different interests. How do you support them individually while staying connected as a family?

I think it’s important to create an environment where they are both allowed to pursue their interests as much as possible. Time is the biggest constraint with Gwen and I working full time; we rely a lot on a schedule and routines to help us keep things on track. We also make it a point to plan our free time. When I say we, I mean Gwen ☺ She’s always on top of where we go to spend our weekend afternoons and how we spend time meaningfully as a family.

What’s your favourite “dad hack” when it comes to managing meltdowns, mealtimes or morning chaos?

Persistence and patience. Easier said than done, as kids can be a lot more stubborn than we think at times. When meltdowns occur, we usually let the kids “meltdown”. As long as they are not hurt or in danger, we let them “cry”. It is also useful to have a change of environment or tone when we are faced with this. For example, if Sienna is upset with a decision I made, more often than not, she will be fine with the same decision coming from Gwen.

What values do you hope to pass on to Sienna and Eli through sport and everyday parenting?

Respect, resilience, and being a good teammate–both on and off the field. Whether they win or lose, I want them to walk away knowing how they treated others mattered more than the score. In everyday parenting, we also teach respect within the family, in how we talk to one another or handle conflict.

How do you balance the fine line between encouragement and pressure when it comes to kids and performance in sports?

At this age, they are not exposed to much competition yet. We currently focus a lot on effort rather than the outcomes.

What age is ideal for kids to try different sports, and how can parents spot what suits their child best?

Personally, once the kids are able to move safely and are aware of their surroundings, they can start doing sports. All kids develop at their own pace. It is our job as parents and adults to provide the scaffolding to support their development. Through sport, our kids can discover their own strengths and weaknesses and learn more about themselves. Set some criteria for what suits your child. Activities should allow your child to find joy, achieve success, be safe and learn.

What advice would you give to parents who don’t play sports themselves but want to raise active children?

You don’t need to be an athlete to model an active lifestyle. Go for walks, dance in the kitchen, try backyard games. Kids pick up on enthusiasm more than skill. Your willingness to move with them means more than how well you do it. It’s about creating shared memories through movement.

You’re vocal about values and positive parenting. How do you stay grounded, especially on tough days?

I’m vocal because it also serves as a reminder to myself about how imperfect we are as parents. We don’t do anything special or have answers to every parenting issue. Constantly learning, adapting and communicating are key to supporting our children, especially in the new world we are entering.

You and Gwen clearly work as a team. What’s one parenting strength she brings to the table that you really admire?

Gwen is a much more organised person than I am. She provides the structure and routines in the family, while I’m more emotional and often a bit more on the go with the flow side of things. As a team, it’s a good balance to have ☺

You can follow the adventures of Sidney and his family on his Instagram page @sidney_kumar and listen to his podcast, Create Don’t Hate, on Spotify. This interview was facilitated by Families for Life.

Read more: