Sports Coaching Brain » Sport and Parenting

Helping Your Child Achieve in Sport – Fifty Things You Can Do

Wayne Goldsmith — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 04:03:50 +0000

Fifty tips for parents of young athletes, to help them get the most out of their chosen sport.

Love them unconditionally.
Support their coach.
Accept that they can not win every time they compete.
Allow them to be a kid and to have fun.
Help them to develop as a person with character and values.
Turn off as a sporting parent. Don’t make sport the one and only topic of conversation at the dinner table, in the car, etc.
Don’t introduce your child as “This is my son the swimmer or Rugby player” – their sport is just something they do – it does not define them.
Don’t do everything for them. Teach them responsibility and self management.
Reward frequently for success and effort but make them small, simple, practical, and personal things. Kids don’t need a CD or $20 just for playing sport.
Best of all reward them with what they really love…….your time!
Be calm, relaxed and dignified at competitions and games.
Accept that progress in any sport takes a long time: it takes at least 7 – 10 years after maturation in most sports for any athlete to achieve their full potential.
Believe it or not, kids can learn to pack and unpack their training bag, clean their own training and competition clothes, fill their own water bottle – teach them and encourage them to take control over their own sporting careers. A little manual work and helping out with household chores are important lessons in developing independence.
Don’t reward champion performances with junk food!
Skills and attitude are the important things. Don’t waste money buying kids the latest and greatest equipment and hope to buy a short cut to success.
Encourage the same commitment and passion for school and study as you do for sport.
Avoid relying on “sports foods” or “sports supplements” – focus on a sensible, balanced diet which includes a variety of wholesome, healthy foods.
Allow your kids to try many sports and activities.
Don’t specialize too early!!! There is no such thing as a champion ten year old winger or opening bowler or halfback.
Junk food is ok occasionally. Don’t worry about it.
Praise qualities like effort, trying hard, attempting new skills, the execution of a new skill in a game and similar values rather than winning.
Love them unconditionally (worth repeating).
Have your “guilt gland” removed. This will help you avoid phrases like “I’ve got better things to do with my time” and “Do you realize how much I have had to give up for you to play football”. Everyone loses when you play the guilt game.
Encourage activities which build broad, general movement skills like running, catching, throwing, balancing, agility, balance, co-ordination, speed and rhythm. These general skills can then have a positive impact on all sports.
Encourage the occasional “down time”. No school or sport – just time to be kids!
Encourage relationships and friendships away from training, competition and school work – it’s all about balance.
Help and support your child to achieve the goals they set, then take time to relax and celebrate and enjoy their achievement as a family.
Never use training or sport as a punishment i.e. more laps / more training.
Do a family fitness class, yoga or martial arts or another sport unrelated to their main sport. Everyone benefits.
Car pool! Get to know the other kids and families in your child’s team then in turn you can allow your child to be more independent by doing things with other (trusted) adults.
Attend training regularly to show you are interested in your child’s effort and the process rather than just the win / loss of the outcome.
Help raise money for the team, club and kids: even if your own child is not involved in the target of the fund-raising.
Tell your kids you are proud of them for being involved in a healthy activity.
Volunteer your time to be on the committee.
Volunteer your time to help out at training and competition but…….try not to work directly with your own child. This helps teach your kids the importance of “team” where working together and supporting each other are important attributes.
Even if you were an athlete or a player, and even if you are a trained coach, resist the temptation to coach your own child. It rarely if ever works.
Be aware that your child’s passion for a particular sport may change.
Also be aware however that skills learnt in one sport can often transfer to another sport.
Accept flat spots. Times when your child does not improve. During these times encourage participation for fun, focus on learning skills and help them develop perseverance and patience – two life skills that will help them throughout their lives.
Believe it or not, Australian kids are unlikely to die from drinking tap water.
Cheer for your child appropriately. Don’t embarrass yourself or them.
Make sure each week includes some designated family time, where you do family things and talk about family issues, not about sport.
Take a strong stand against smoking and drug use (both recreational and performance enhancing).
Set an example with sensible, responsible alcohol use when your kids are around.
Don’t look for short cuts like “miracle sports drinks” or “super supplements” success in sport comes from consistently practicing skills and developing an attitude where the love of sport and physical fitness are the real “magic”.
If one of your kids is a sporting champion and the other kids in the family are not so gifted, ensure you have just as much time, energy and enthusiasm for whatever they are doing.
Eliminate the use of the phrase “well what we did when I was playing”.
Encourage your kids to find strong role models but try not to let this decision to be based on sporting ability only. Look for role models who consistently demonstrate integrity, humility, honesty and the ability to take responsibility for their own actions.
Encourage them to learn the qualities of leadership and concepts like sharing, selflessness, team work and generosity – sport teaches life lessons.
Don’t compare the achievements of your kids to any other kids – good or bad. It only creates barriers and resentments between young people and the world can do without more of that!

Wayne Goldsmith and Helen Morris

Sport and Parenting – GOLD MEDAL PARENTING – PART TWO

Wayne Goldsmith — Tue, 26 May 2009 05:37:48 +0000

In part one of this article we looked at different types of Sporting Parents.

Here are a few more……see if you recognise anyone you know.

6. The “My Child is Better Than Yours” Sporting Parent

Typical Behaviour – Starts every sentence with their child’s name and their child’s sporting achievements.
Positives – None
Negatives – Puts unnecessary pressure on the child. Puts strains on the child’s relationships with other athletes and team mate.

7. The “Coach my Own Child” Sporting Parent

Typical Behaviour – Sets additional training for their child. Often found writing down details of their child’s workout set by the coach, so they can repeat them at home.
Positives - High level of interest in child’s sports career.
Negatives – High pressure, parents generally unable to be objective about key sporting career decisions. Kids may not get much needed rest and recovery time between training sessions and games.

8. The “more interest in other kids than my own kids” sporting parent

Typical behaviour – Talks to other sporting parents about what their children are doing, how much training they do, what they eat and so on.
Positives - Seen to be a team player.
Negatives - Comparison with own child may be counter productive.

9. The “my child is the greatest athlete in the world” sporting parent

Typical behaviour – Praises their child excessively for every achievement – usually in front of other less successful athletes. Invariably blames other people for any failures.
Positives – Unconditional support of the child.
Negatives - High level of expectations and pressures on the child – long term issues with confidence and self esteem.

10. The “I gave up my life for you” sporting parent

Typical behaviour – Seen berating child after every training session and competition about all the time they waste taking kids to training and games. Also known as the “guilt” parent.
Positives – Supporting of child’s sporting career.
Negatives- Pressures and guilt if the child wants to retire or change sports. Child scared of negatives rather than inspired by positives.

11. The “I know more than the coach” sporting parent

Typical Behaviour – Undermines coach’s decisions and training methods in front of their child.
Positives – None.
Negatives - Undermines the child’s faith in their coach which may in turn lead to disciplinary issues between coach and athlete.

So if we all know the types of sporting parents we DON’T want to be and we all know the types of sporting parents we DON’T want to work with – what types of sporting parents are great sporting parents?

See part three of this article soon.

Wayne Goldsmith

Gold Medal Parents: Little League Players need Big League Parenting!

Wayne Goldsmith — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:38:19 +0000

So you believe your child will be the next big thing in the Big Leagues?

So you think it is inevitable that your son will win an Olympic Gold Medal one day?

So you are a 100% certain that your little girl will be the next Nadia Commenici?

Gold Medal kids need Gold Medal parents.

Little Leaguers who aspire to the Big Leagues need Big League Parenting.

Are you up to the challenge?

So what type of sporting parent are you?

The “Been There Myself” Sporting Parent

Typical Behaviour – Talks about how they did it in the old days. Tries to get children to train and compete the way they did when they were training and competing.
Positives - Knows and understands sport, coaching, training. Has an empathy with their children and what they are going through.
Negatives – Applies methods that were successful in their sporting careers to their kids. These methods are possibly outdated and may even be counter productive. May also try to live out unfulfilled sporting dreams through their child’s sporting career.

The “Chance to Make a Million” Sporting Parent

Typical Behaviour – Seen at tennis, golf and football training sessions and games.
Positives – If the child is successful, their financial security is assured. May take a very professional and thorough approach to their child’s sporting development.
Negatives – High pressure environment – long term psychological consequences if the child doesn’t make it – very few sports people can actually make a living out of sport.

The “Over protective” Sporting Parent

Typical Behaviour – Packs child’s sports bag for training and practice. Carries the bag into training. Would probably do their child’s homework if they could get away with it.
Positives – Child feels supported, loved, nurtured and cared for.
Negatives - Child does not get the opportunity to develop independent, self-motivating characteristics.

The “Ugly” Sporting Parent

Typical Behaviour – Yelling, screaming and verbally abusing children, coaches, umpires and coaches at sporting arenas all over the world on Saturday afternoons.
Positives – None
Negatives – High pressure – equates child’s sports performance with child’s (or self’s) character. Child learns that unless they are successful, parent’s approval will not be forthcoming. Child feels embarrassed about parent’s behaviour. High level of emotion may lead to poor decisions being made under pressure situations.

The “Drop You Off, Do My Shopping While You Play” Sporting Parent (also called the “Sports as a Babysitter” sporting parent)

Typical Behaviour – Leaves kids at training and practice while parent goes shopping or elsewhere.
Positives – Allows child to develop independence with limited pressure.
Negatives - No interest in child’s sporting development, child may resort to extreme behaviours to get attention.

Part two of this article coming soon.

Wayne Goldsmith

Hello Tennis Parents – balancing love and 40-love

Wayne Goldsmith — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:29:36 +0000

Hello Tennis Parents.

Put your hand up if you answer “YES” to two or more questions in the Tennis Parents Ten Question Quiz:

Do you believe your child will be a successful, well paid professional tennis player?
Do you tell other parents that your child is “a high achiever”?
Do you talk about tennis at least once a day with your child over meals or away from the court?
Are you prepared to sacrifice your child’s education so they have a great chance of becoming a professional player?
Do you regularly ask the coach to work your child harder or to change something about their game?
Do you get emotionally involved in your child’s successes and failures on the training court?
Do you allow your child to show a bad attitude, poor sportsmanship and / or a poor temperament (e.g. racket abuse)?
Have you ever argued or fought with parents of other kids about the results of a game?
Do you refer to your child as “my son or my daughter the tennis player”?
Have you spent more than $500.00 on a single tennis racket for your child?

Well, here’s the bad news. If you answered “YES” to two or more of the above, the chances of your child becoming a successful professional tennis player are…………………NIL or very close to it.

And what’s worse – you may be the major cause of their failure.

Tennis is a tough sport.

To make it to the top means years of hard work, dedication, commitment, training and skills development. It also takes a total commitment from the player, their coach and the player’s family to become a successful, professional player.

None of this is news to you of course.

However what may be news is that the more you want your child to be successful, the more you drive them, the more you obsess over their training, the more you talk about their game and focus on their career, the less likely they are to be successful.

Hold it right there you say! I know that at this point, the majority of tennis parents are thinking, “I’m not pushy. I’m just supporting my child to achieve their dreams. I am not one of those parents this article is referring to”.

Wrong – you are!

It is next to impossible for you to be objective about your child’s sporting talent and your own behaviour relating to it.

The percentage of players who make it to the top is very small.

The percentage of players who make it to the top after being outstanding talents and tournament winners at 12 is next to zero.

The percentage of players who make it to the top after being outstanding talents and tournament winners at 12 and whose parents are obsessed with them getting there is less than zero.

So how can you be an outstanding tennis parent?

Sit down with your child’s coach.

Ask them for honest, hard hitting, direct feedback on the job you are doing as a tennis parent. In the same way that your child seeks and receives honest feedback on their backhand, serve, volley etc – you too need honest, direct, regular feedback to improve your tennis parenting skills. And…..be prepared to listen to it and act upon it.

Now, let’s look at things from a Positive Parenting Perspective. Can you answer “Yes” to two or more of these questions about the future?

Can you give your child unconditional love, support and encouragement regardless of their on court performances?
Do you believe that the most important skills for your child to develop are confidence, self belief, honesty, integrity and humility?
Do you believe you should give your child a day or two off each week just to relax and enjoy being a kid?
Can you promise not to discuss tennis away from the court?
Can you encourage your child to develop skills in other sports and activities and to continue their education?
Can you provide your child with a loving, caring, supportive, stable family environment?
Can you stay away from the training court for a few days without getting anxious?
Can you give your child’s coach total and unconditional support – particularly when your child hits a rough patch or form slump?
If your child does not make it as a professional player, will you still love them, care for them, support them, nurture them and be there for them unconditionally?
Can you show dignity, maturity and decency when your child is defeated in a tournament?

Score 2-3: can I suggest another sport?

Score 4-6: a good chance of developing a well rounded, confident, balanced child.

Score 7-10: congratulations – you are an outstanding tennis parent and you have all the skills you need to help your child become the best they can be – in life, in sport, at school, in the family…..and maybe even tennis.

Being a tennis parent is a tough job. And like all tough jobs, you need good training and lots of education to do it well.

Wayne Goldsmith

The Role of Parents in Sport

Wayne Goldsmith — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:55:12 +0000

Discussions with Coaches Geoff Marsh (Cricket), Joyce Brown (Netball) and Lindsay Gaze (Basketball).

In response to repeated community complaints, a Sydney Council announced it planned to introduce the following policy:

City of Botany, Code of Conduct, Sports Field Users.

“At it’s meeting of 26th May 1999, Council endorsed the following policy direction as outlined in the Mayoral Minutes No 5/99 and resolved:

That: “Council as a matter of policy, determine that any sporting activity being run by an Association or Club, on any ground within the City of Botany Bay, have lodged with Council, as a condition of use of Council’s playing fields, a Code of Conduct, which is to be subject to Council’s approval”.

Objective: Via Sporting Associations and Club Codes of Conduct, ensure the safety and enjoyment of all officials, participants and spectators that use Council’s sporting grounds for organised sport.

Procedures:

Each Club / Association is to make persons associated with their sport aware of Council’s Policy when using it’s grounds and is to provide Council with a copy of their Code of Conduct that reflects the objective and procedures of Council’s policy.
Persons attending sporting fixtures (whatever their capacity; official, player, parent or spectator) are not to engage in verbal or physical abuse of officials, players, parents or spectators.
Persons that undertake such actions and are reported to Council will firstly be reported to the Club and Association and these organisations will be asked to provide information on what action they have taken or propose to take. A warning will be issued to the offending club with which the person is associated. No penalty will ensue but the club is to ensure the person is aware of this warning.
In regard to a second offence the person will be suspended from Council’s grounds for one (1) week and the team the person is associated with will also receive a one (1) week suspension (forfeit the match relating to the incident).
Third and subsequent offences will be treated in the same fashion as second offences, however three (3) week suspensions will apply.

If Council is of the view that offences are of a very serious nature, then Council reserves the right to either extend the suspension or ban the person for a period that it deems appropriate.

(Appreciation to the City of Botany Bay Council’s – Mr Kevin Lowe for his kind permission to reprint this daring initiative).

How does a positive, healthy and enjoyable activity as competitive sport require the introduction of such a policy?

What makes parents transform from positive, supportive role models into Daddy demons and Mummy monsters????

Why are sporting parents often a source of frustration for coaches and athletes when they could be (and should be) a key factor in the sporting success of their children?

I asked three of Australia’s greatest Coaches, Geoff Marsh, Joyce Brown and Lindsay Gaze their thoughts on this controversial topic.

Their understanding of Australian sport is somewhat unique. Geoff, Joyce and Lindsay have contributed significantly to Australian sport as athletes and coaches at the highest national and international level. Now as parents of successful athletes they are helping to develop another generation of champions. They have experienced the Australian sports system from all perspectives and are well qualified to comment on the sport and parenting issue.

Geoff Marsh, International Cricketer, Australian Cricket Coach to the Australian World Cup Winning Cricket Team in 1999, Father.

What did your parents do that contributed to your success as a cricketer?

My parents were enormously supportive – they recognised at an early age that there was some potential for me to achieve. They allowed me to naturally enjoy my sport and they were supportive without applying the usual parental pressure. Some of my fondest memories came from the fun that was had as a kid growing up on our farm.

What are the characteristics of a successful sporting parent?

To give as much support to the child as possible and to be there to motivate when it is needed during the difficult times. To encourage them to always do their best and to enjoy their peers’ success as well as their own.

What are some of the common mistakes that sporting parents make?

Sporting parents often make common mistakes. They often attempt to live their failed sporting lives through their own kids. This type of parent is also the one who will constantly and openly criticise umpires in front of their child and their peers.

What is the difference between a supportive parent and a pushy parent?

A supportive parent allows a child to think for themselves. They also encourage and motivate the child when it is required. A pushy parent often criticises and never allows the child to develop or process their own thoughts.

As a sporting parent yourself, how are handling the sporting careers of your own children?

Both my wife and myself have made the very best attempts at raising our children. Obviously my commitment to cricket as a player and later a coach made it difficult to combine the dual role as a sporting parent, given the frequent times I that was away from home. For the limited time available a large degree of credit must go to my wife Michelle who has done a fantastic job in my absence.

I guess we have already had first hand experience with our son Shaun who has a burning desire ever since he was a child to play (cricket) for Australia. Obviously we are both very supportive and proud of how he is fulfilling his dreams. We have always emphasised that education is equally important and that there must be a balance between sport and education.

How did you balance your sport and education as an athlete?

In my case I guess I was intensely focussed from a very young age that I was going to represent Australia and that everything else, certainly for a while, sailed into insignificance. It was during the formative years (12-14 year of age) that my natural sporting ability was being recognised by others that gave me the encouragement to focus on sport. I t wasn’t until much later that I realised the critical importance of education.

What’s the best advice your parents gave your about your sporting career?

It is difficult to remember any specific advice that I would consider the best – it was more generalised.

My parents emphasised sportsmanship at all times and installed in me at a young age to not only enjoy my own success but alos to enjoy the success of others.

What advice can you give to parents of young sportspeople?

Giving specific advice is not often effective because as we all know all kids are different and individual needs must be treated accordingly. Personally I am all for allowing kids to enjoy their sport and allow their natural ability to develop to a point until they are of an age that they can benefit from the advice given to them. Too often I see the results of kids that have been pushed too hard too early and as a result their full potential is often never achieved.

If Geoff Marsh was 12 years of age and starting out all over again, would you do anything different?

As they say “hindsight” is a wonderful thing. In terms of my career and the raising of our children I would not change a thing. In terms of my schooling the balance that I spoke of earlier in my case was weighted more towards sport than education. I guess in a perfect world it would have been nice to balanced things a bit better, although that might have detracted from my cricket achievements.

Through the “life education” that I have received and the fantastic opportunities as well as people that I have met along the way, I feel my life experiences have given me the greatest education that one could ever hope for.

Joyce Brown, Australian Netballer, Three Times Australian Netball Coach to Win World Championships, Mother of Carlton AFL Footballer Fraser Brown, Teacher.

What did your own parents do that contributed to your success as an athlete”?

My family had an athletic culture. Dad was an athlete. But the thing they gave me most was “time”. By time, I mean time to enjoy and develop my sporting career. Not pushing, just supporting. They very much had a “have a go” attitude. As a female athlete they encouraged me to express myself physically.

What are some of the mistakes parents of young netballers can make?

Some parents try to live out unfulfilled sporting careers through their children. Some believe that their child is the only child with talent. Others think of their kids as a “meal ticket” – a financial bonus to be exploited.

As a coach it worries me that some parents expect too much too early and might be tempted to give their child extra work (in addition to that set by the coach). Parents sometimes think they know more than the coach and interfere with the coaches careful planning of their child’s development. A young athlete needs only one coach!

3. What is the difference between a “supportive parent” and a pushy parent?

I think my definition of a supportive parent is a thinking parent. An absent parent is better than a pushy parent. At least the youngster can become self reliant rather than pushed, prodded and twisted.

4. What are the characteristics of a successful sporting parent?

A parent who can stand back and look at their young athlete clearly and objectively and give them space to develop. To have a belief in the child and the child’s well being. The sporting parent needs to provide the support structure and be a support for their child. To allow the coach to coach – by resisting the temptation to coach the child themselves. To feed the child well. Make sure they sleep well and ensure that they have fun and balance in their family life. That they encourage their kids to learn to work hard and to learn how to be an athlete. That includes lifestyle issues like not drinking and not smoking. I have met athletes with talent and the dreams to succeed but fewer who also had the character to work hard to achieve through self-discipline.

5. How do young athletes balance sport and their school?

I often tell young athletes that they are only an injury away from nothing. It is important that they develop a balance in their life and to become skilled or qualified in a field other than sport. That they know who they are as a person and not just as an athlete. It can be a difficult balancing act but well worth it. It takes self-discipline and it can be socially uncomfortable.

6. What is the best piece of advice your parents ever gave you about your sporting career?

Go for it and enjoy it.

7. What advice can you give to the parents of young netballers?

Find a knowledgeable and caring coach. Allow your children the space and the opportunity to work with that coach. Be positive. Help the kids find a hero in the sport. Don’t push – just support. Remember that your child may not be “God’s gift” to the game. Make sure that the kids develop a good network of friends. Keep up to the mark with their school work.

8. When you are looking for talented young players, what characteristics do you look for?

I don’t look so much at physique or physical characteristics. I look for their skills at handling a ball and for what I call their coachability – their ability to take coaching instructions and learn well. I look for their passion and desire to play with a ball. For their spirit and their sense of fun and enjoyment at playing. The heart and mind together with skills catch my attention the most.

LINDSAY GAZE, Basketball Coach of the Melbourne Tigers, Olympic Coach, Dad – Father of Andrew Gaze, Grandad.

What would you say are the characteristics of a successful sporting parent? (I.e. sporting parent meaning a parent of someone playing sport)?

One who is supportive without being assertive. Someone who is available to respond when advice is sought, but is not the provider of constant advice. One who allows their son or daughter to “discover” and determine their own goals.

From your experience, what are some of the common mistakes sporting parents make?

Reliving their own successes or failure through their children. Wanting (or demanding) they fulfil the parents ambitions rather than their own. Intervening on the coaches instructions and providing their own coaching advice. I believe in the old saying “The Fruit Never Falls Far from the Tree”. Often the difficulties we experience dealing with athletes is a reflection of some behaviour of the parents. I alos believe that the influence of parents can impact on the athlete’s life, not just sport. Good parent, good family, good student, good athlete: over 20 years of experience I see a trend there.

What’s the difference between being a supportive parent and a pushy parent?

A supportive parent will be available to console or to praise in moderation when it is appropriate. A pushy parent is more likely to be dissatisfied with a good effort and aim to expect more. A pushy parent is more likely to intrude on a particular selection process and seek ways of drawing attention to their child, overtly or covertly. It is important that athlete, coach and parent discuss issues and communicate openly and regularly.

How did you handle managing your own sporting commitments (and those of your children) with school and education?

I encouraged my own children (son and daughter) to explore as many sporting options as they could and to allow them to make their own decisions. My wife was a great “taxi driver” supporting the children in gaining access to their sports programs. We directed the children to coaching programs of good quality and did not intervene. I think young athletes should have a go at as many sports as possible, but whatever they the focus should be on fun.

What’s the best advice your parents ever gave to you about your sporting career? What’s the best advice you ever gave to Andrew about his sporting career?

My mother encouraged me to play sport. She was not keen on me playing football as she was afraid I would get injured (but I never accepted that advice and continued to play). I did get injured many times but it was my own choice to concentrate on basketball after reaching a fairly high level at football. Only Andrew could tell you what the best advice I gave him is.

Parents of a young basketballer (12-14 years of age) ask you for advice on how to best help their child get to the top. What advice will you give them?

My advice to young players or parents is to concentrate on working on good technique. If technique is sound then diligent and hard practice will lead to improvement. If technique is unsound then no matter how hard you work the chances of consistent improvement is reduced dramatically. The early developer might be taller, stronger etc because of a rapid rate of development but ultimately, skill is important. I like all young players to learn to play every position. Not to specialise too early in any one role or position. They have plenty of time to specialise as they mature.

It is suggested that involvement in sports develops characteristics such as confidence, self esteem, self-discipline, goal-orientated behaviour and general fitness. Do you feel this is true and to what extent do the characteristics developed in sporting competition carry over to other areas of life?

I have been involved long enough and studied enough to be convinced that athlete working towards the elite level can combine their sport with studies and alternate career paths. In fact we have noted that those who succeed with their sport are generally successful with their studies. When recruiting we seek out information about academic abilities and family background.

If you had your time over, (ie if Andrew was 8 years of age and starting out again) would you do it the same way?

I don’t believe there would be any significant changes to the decision making we made through our childrens’ formative years. We gave a lot of thought to whether we should place our children in private schools after graduating from primary school. On reflection I think it was a sound choice at the time to allow them to remain in the state school system. Looking at the same state school system now, I would find it a harder decision to make.

*******************

The unconditional love and support of a sporting parent is an important contributing factor in the development of young athletes in all sports.

Just as there is no complete manual on how to be a good parent, being a good sporting parent requires training, effort and education.

In the early years, parents are the major influence on the behaviour and development of their children. Once children start school, other people (students, friends, peer group, teachers and coaches) have an increasing influence over the child’s behaviour, beliefs and personal standards.

However for young children (up to ten years of age) their behaviour is very much a reflection of the behaviours taught, reinforced and accepted by their parents.

In terms of sport, many of the behaviours of successful sports people (commitment to a task, self discipline, determination, confidence, enjoyment of physical activity and a work ethic) can be developed and enhanced by a coach and teacher BUT are ideally established and encouraged by parents. In this way, parents are an important influence on the potential sporting successes of their children.

I would like to thank Geoff, Joyce and Lindsay for their time and the open, honest way they answered the questions. They are outstanding examples of all that is good in coaching, committed, dedicated, passionate, caring, and generous professionals.

Wayne Goldsmith