Style Matters
Participation in youth sports can be an incredibly enriching experience for children, as it provides them with a platform to develop essential life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance, while also promoting physical activity and healthy living. However, parents play a significant role in supporting their child's sporting journey, which can have a major impact on their child's overall experience.
In this blog post, we aim to delve deeper into the different parenting styles that parents could demonstrate while supporting their children's sporting journeys. We will explore the positive impact of an authoritative, supportive parenting style, which involves setting clear expectations while offering emotional support and encouragement. We will also examine the drawbacks of a more authoritarian parenting style, which may involve putting undue pressure on children to perform well and causing unnecessary stress
Furthermore, we will discuss essential strategies that coaches and organisations can use to create a positive environment for children to excel and enjoy their sporting experiences. This could involve promoting inclusivity and diversity, providing adequate resources and support for children with unique needs, and prioritizing safety and fair play.
Finally, we will discuss how National Governing Bodies can further support coaches in this regard. This could include providing training and resources for coaches to better understand different parenting styles and how to create a positive environment for children. By working together, parents, coaches, and organisations can ensure that children have a positive and enriching sporting experience that sets them up for success in all aspects of life.
Parents of youth sports players can adopt different styles to support their child's sporting journey. There are four primary styles of youth sports parents: the cheerleader, the pusher, the bystander, and the coach.
The Cheerleader: This type of parent is enthusiastic and supportive of their child, regardless of the outcome of the game or competition. They focus on their child's enjoyment of the sport and celebrate their child's efforts, not just the results.
The Pusher: The pusher is a parent who is focused on their child's success and achievement in the sport. They may pressure their child to win or excel and may be critical of their child's performance or effort.
The Bystander: The bystander parent is disengaged from their child's sporting journey. They may attend games or competitions but are not actively involved in their child's training or development.
The Coach: The coach's parent is heavily involved in their child's sporting journey. They may coach their child's team or be highly involved in the organixation. This type of parent can be beneficial, but it's essential to maintain a healthy boundary between parent and coach.
Coaches and organisations should collaborate with parents to ensure that their children have a positive and enjoyable experience in sports. Here are some strategies that can help achieve this goal:
1. Education: Coaches and organizations can educate parents about the importance of creating a positive and enjoyable experience for their children. Workshops, seminars, or informational materials can be used for this purpose.
2. Communication: Communication is crucial in creating a positive environment. Coaches and organisations must communicate openly and regularly with parents, providing feedback and progress updates on their child's development.
3. Role Clarity: Coaches and organisations must clearly define their roles and expectations for parents. This will ensure that everyone understands their responsibilities and boundaries.
4. Encourage Participation: Coaches and organisations should encourage parents to participate in the sport in any way possible, whether as volunteers, spectators, or even coaches.
National Governing Bodies (NGBs) can provide coaches with additional support in managing and supporting parents of youth sports players. One effective strategy is to offer coaches training and resources on how to communicate with parents effectively. This training may include guidance on how to handle difficult conversations, how to establish clear boundaries and expectations with parents, and how to resolve conflicts that may arise.
NGBs can also establish transparent guidelines and policies for parents to follow, such as codes of conduct that outline acceptable behaviour during practices and games. These guidelines can also specify consequences for parents who fail to comply with them, such as being removed from games or even suspension from the team.
Furthermore, NGBs can provide a platform for parents to provide feedback and voice concerns about their child's sporting experience. By providing an avenue for constructive feedback, NGBs can help coaches and organisations make necessary adjustments to improve the overall experience for the child and their family.
The different styles of youth sports parenting can have a significant impact on a child’s sporting journey. Coaches and organisations can play a critical role in creating a positive environment by prioritising communication with parents and providing clear guidelines and policies. NGBs can further support coaches by offering training and resources on effective communication strategies and creating a platform for constructive feedback from parents.
An infographic produced by ‘The Sporting Resource’ utilises the work of Swansea University to provide guidance on how coaches and organisations can support youth sports parents. The following strategies are recommended to ensure that parents have a positive experience while supporting their children’s sporting journey:
Developing a support network is crucial in creating an engaging and honest sporting environment that supports all roles. Coaches and organisations should take steps to positively impact the experiences of parents and children, while also helping them cope with any challenges that may arise. The demands of sports can have a profound effect on parents, children, and the entire family, so coaches should provide a clear understanding of what to expect and offer strategies to help them navigate these challenges.
Watching children compete can be an emotionally charged experience for parents, which can make it difficult to manage their feelings. Therefore, strategies should be implemented to make it a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved. This can be achieved through open communication, emotional support, and creating a positive environment that encourages healthy emotional expression.
Individual learning is also critical, and parents should engage and interact with various stakeholders to gain valuable insights that can positively impact their experience and their children. Sharing knowledge is an essential aspect of this learning process. Since a large percentage of parents primarily learn through trial and error, sharing knowledge with parents can significantly influence their levels of support, emotions, and behaviours.
Effective communication between the coach, parents, and children is vital. Parents should be encouraged to collaborate with the athletic environment and offer input that aligns with the developmental approach. This collaboration will promote a positive experience for everyone involved, creating a supportive environment that fosters growth and development for the child and the parents.
Youth sports can be an excellent way for children to develop important life skills. However, the role of parents in supporting their child's sports journey can significantly impact their experience. There are four primary types of youth sports parents: the cheerleader, the pusher, the bystander, and the coach. Coaches and organisations need to work with parents to ensure that children have a positive and enjoyable experience in sports. Strategies for coaches and organisations include education, communication, role clarity, and encouraging participation.
National Governing Bodies (NGBs) can provide additional support to coaches in managing and further supporting youth sports parents. NGBs can offer training and resources to coaches on effective communication strategies with parents, create clear guidelines and policies for parents to follow, and provide a platform for parents to give feedback and express concerns about their child's sporting experience.
Building a support network, managing emotions, individual learning, and effective communication are essential strategies for coaches and organisations to support youth sports parents. These strategies can help parents understand their role and responsibilities, and ensure that they are providing the necessary support to their child.
