Chris Thomas

Founder and President of Football for Humanity.

While growing up in Merseyside, the home of Liverpool FC and Everton FC, his childhood is marred by memories of teachers who told him he would be “nothing” when he grows up. Despite this, Chris managed to finish high school in 1998 with a distinction in Physical Education. Eager to prove the teachers wrong, Chris joined the Royal Marines in 2003 and later shifted to pursue a degree in Sports Development at Edge Hill University.

In 2009, Chris obtained his BA degree in Sports Development, then spent a decade operating in Southeast Asia as a football coach, English teacher, and physical education teacher. During this time, he founded a charity called “Football for Humanity” in the Philippines. At the height of the pandemic, Chris flew home and joined Liverpool Hope University to complete a master’s degree in Social Work. His master’s dissertation answered the question of ‘how sport in social work can help reduce the effects of psychological trauma’.

Chris achieved a distinction for his master’s dissertation and an overall distinction for his master’s degree. Besides his remarkable accomplishments and perseverance, he has also earned several coaching qualifications from the English FA.

Today, he specialises in statutory Mental Health Social Work, operating within various psychiatric settings across the United Kingdom. Furthermore, he holds a pivotal position in designing, developing and implementing anti-child sex trafficking programmes in the Philippines through Football for Humanity, the charity he established in 2016. This organisation operates extensively throughout the Philippines and has garnered recognition from prestigious entities such as the United Nations, the British Embassy, the Australian Embassy, the National Crime Agency, and the Department of Justice.

How would you define a parent’s role within the youth sports environment?

A parent’s role within the youth sports environment is multifaceted and crucial for their child’s well-being and development. To define a parent’s role, here are some key qualities:

Support: Parents should provide unwavering support for their child’s participation in sports, regardless of the outcome of games or competitions. This includes attending games, cheering positively, and offering encouragement.

Encouragement: Parents should encourage their children to try their best, improve their skills, and learn from successes and failures. Positive reinforcement helps build confidence and resilience in young athletes.

Communication: Effective communication between parents, coaches, and children is vital. Parents should communicate openly with their children about their experiences in sports, including any challenges they may face, and maintain a respectful and supportive relationship with coaches.

Boundaries and Balance: Parents need to maintain healthy boundaries and balance between sports and other aspects of their child’s life, including academics, social activities, and downtime. Overemphasizing sports can lead to burnout and stress.  

Be A Role Model: Parents serve as role models for their children in terms of their behaviour on the side-lines and their approach to competition and misfortune. Good sportsmanship, resilience, and a positive attitude set a powerful example for young players. I have personally experienced other people’s parents being so passionate that they have started to fistfight on the pitch of play in front of the other children during the game, showing a disregard for their children, coaches, referees, and families. Respect is the underpinning principle and that should guide us accordingly.

Overall, a parent’s role in youth sports is to provide a nurturing and supportive environment that fosters their child’s physical, emotional, and social development while also instilling essential values and life skills that extend beyond the playing field.

What are the benefits of embracing parental involvement in youth sports?

Parental involvement in youth sports can positively affect a child’s development and overall experience. Below I have pointed out some key benefits:

Emotional Support: Children benefit from the emotional support of their parents. Knowing that their parents are present, cheering them on, and offering encouragement and reassurance can boost a child’s confidence, motivation, and psychological well-being.

Healthy Lifestyle: Parents who actively support their child’s involvement in sports promote a healthy and active lifestyle. This can contribute to the child’s physical and psychological well-being, reducing the risk health issues.

Life Skills Development: Youth sports teach valuable life skills such as discipline, time management, goal setting, and perseverance. Parents who are actively involved can reinforce these lessons and help their children apply them on and off the field.

Stress Reduction: Parental involvement can help alleviate stress and anxiety in young people. Knowing that their parents are supportive and understanding, regardless of the outcome, creates a more positive and enjoyable sporting experience. This also has a positive impact on children wellbeing while at home and in school.

Enhanced Parent-Child Bond: Sharing youth sports experiences can strengthen the bond between parents and children. It provides an opportunity for shared interests, goals, and celebrations, fostering a sense of connection.

While parental involvement has abundant benefits, it’s important to strike a balance and avoid excessive pressure or overemphasis on winning. The key is to create a positive and supportive environment that allows children to enjoy the benefits of youth sports while fostering their overall well-being.

How have you as a coach/club attempted to increase parental involvement?

Football for Humanity collaborates closely with various socio-civic sectors, including parents, teachers, and social workers. We conduct presentations to educate people about the benefits, purpose, and possibilities of the sport. Our partnership with the Department of Education and other Government Agencies allows us to offer workshops and training programmes for parents and teachers to expand their knowledge and understanding of football and its numerous benefits.

What challenges have you faced in attempting to increase the level of parental involvement?

Many of the children who participate in our programmes come from families with lower incomes, often referred to “disadvantaged” families. The family’s primary earner may bring home £150 per month or even less, leaving them with limited funds to cover basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. As a result, it can be challenging for them to support a child interested in participating in sports. While our programmes are free, the associated cost of extra food, drinks and transport can stress the family’s financial resources. Despite these limitations, our specially trained community coaches find creative ways to meet those needs by tapping into community assets..

Another conflict would be the unfamiliarity with football, which is not a popular sport in the Philippines. There is no sense of the sport’s global scale and power compared to the immense popularity of basketball in an Americanised country. Therefore, the parent feels that football is insignificant and without a future. This is why we take every opportunity to acquaint everyone with “global” football and how this is indeed the world’s biggest and best sport to participate in, even if it is playing for fun. 

As an organisation, we always encourage parental involvement by providing opportunities for them to play an active role in events and activities where their children are participating. We also give them the chance to play the same games as the kids so they can experience the same fun they do. This often helps parents feel included. Parents can also connect to the wider community while developing new supportive networks. Evidently, this has fostered a sense of shared belonging and ownership of the child’s social development and success in youth sports.

Have you seen any difference in players when parental involvement is embraced not neglected and/or ignored?

Parents play a significant role in shaping their children’s character, and if they fail to provide encouragement and support, the child may be led astray. This could result in them being involved in harmful social circles and engaging in anti-social activities. It is crucial for young people to have mentors, and parents are the most important ones. Parents must play an active role in guiding and supporting their children in order to help them become well-rounded individuals. 

What advice would you give coaches who are unsure and/or afraid about increasing parental involvement within youth sports?

Being courageous when dealing with parents in children’s sports is essential. Parental involvement cannot be ignored, and it’s crucial to understand the benefits it brings to the child, parent, and yourself. Be open to feedback and study it carefully. It’s necessary to make the sport more appealing to parents and create opportunities for them to play an active role in your organisation. You must make football so appealing that parents will not want to miss any games or activities. Remember, parental involvement is crucial, and it’s up to you to make the most of it.

For those parents unaware of their influential role within youth sports, what advice would you give them?

As parents, we must remember that play is not just a fun activity but a fundamental right every child deserves. Just think back to your childhood and the joy you felt when you were able to play and have fun. If your child has a talent for something, it’s imperative to nurture that talent and encourage them to pursue it. Give your child the opportunity to succeed in their chosen sport and help them to hone their skills. To truly understand your child’s perspective, approach everything psychologically, and you’ll be amazed at the insight you’ll gain. Supporting your child allows them to thrive and achieve their full potential. Isn’t that what they deserve?

Football for Humanity is a sport for development charity that uses the power of football to educate, empower and protect children facing the threat of abuse, exploitation and violence.

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