A Guide to sport parenting

In today’s world youth sport remains to be popular and is becoming more professionalized at all levels and ages. Sport academies are springing up everywhere boasting structured programs lead by qualified and experienced coaches, local athletes and teams seem to be traveling all over the world to compete, and our domestic leagues and competitions are becoming more competitive and larger with each passing year.

 

Along with this professionalized and more globalized youth sport environment comes a larger periphery supporting cast including strength and conditioning trainers, nutritionists, sport psychologists etc… Where in all of this increased professionalism are parents given any advice or help? I discussed in a recent article that a strong family and friend support network was imperative to a successful sporting career at any level, with that said this support network also requires guidance, and in essence it’s own support.

 

The first question parents need to ask are what values and principles do I want my son and daughter to adhere to? This answer and subsequent actions will help build a foundation to answer other questions and choices that will inevitably arise. You’ll be surprised how different one family’s core values and principles can differ from another. The spectrum ranges from win at all costs to building self confidence and a sense of belonging, with good work ethics and sportsmanship.

 

I’m certainly not here to preach to you what core values and ethics you should be following however, what I will do it to provide, in the series of articles, guidance to ensure your and your sons/daughters goals can be more successfully reached. Spend time analyzing this question, and my advice would be to consult with families that you believe did get it “right”. This is not a guarantee that you will get it “right”, but will certainly aid the cause. I suggest also spending time talking to founding members of strong sport organizations with values and principles that have stood the test of time. To be continued…

Craig Dalrymple

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