NSPCC helps clubs to promote positive parenting in children’s sport

The NSPCC is joining more than 100 sports organisations across the UK and Ireland to promote Parents in Sport Week.

The charity is calling for sports clubs to rally behind the campaign from October 3-9 to highlight the positive, supporting role that parents can play in helping children have fun playing sport and to reach their full potential.

The week is being launched with a free workshop for coaches at Swansea University on Monday (October 3) evening. The workshop will discuss parental involvement in sport, share insights into how to optimise parental involvement, and engage in a variety of practical activities to help facilitate positive involvement.

As well as offering direct advice for parents, the campaign has resources for coaches and officials giving tips on how they can communicate with families so children get the maximum benefit from their participation in sport.

Poor behaviour from parents can spoil a child’s experience and enjoyment of sport and may even affect their enthusiasm to continue playing it.

The NSPCC has found that some parents may get carried away on the sidelines – leading to intimidating, aggressive, threatening or abusive behaviour towards children, coaches, referees or other parents – or have a ‘win at all costs’ approach to their child’s participation in sport.

In the wake of a memorable summer of sport, the NSPCC aims to highlight just how important parents are as role models and the vital support role they play.

Anne Tiivas, Service Head of the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit said: “Parents play an incredibly important role in making sure their child participates in sport and enjoys taking part.

“The NSPCC has developed a range of resources as part of this campaign including videos, presentations, practical examples, and hints and tips on how to promote and support a parent’s role in sport.

“Parents will be aware that sometimes it’s difficult to know what feedback to provide or how best to support their child.  We also need to ensure parents do not become over-involved or ‘pushy’ as this can result in some clubs keeping parents at arm’s length. This can adversely affect children’s participation. Clubs, coaches and officials are ideally placed to help parents provide the appropriate level of support to their children.”

The week is also being supported by Disability Sport Wales, Football Association Wales, Golf Union Wales, Hockey Wales, Swim Wales, Tennis Wales, Welsh Cycling, Welsh Boxing and Welsh Athletics.

The NSPCC’s resources for clubs to use with parents and their own coaches are available athttps://thecpsu.org.uk/parents

Information about the event at Swansea University is available herehttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/enhancing-parental-involvement-in-sport-tickets-25970224641?utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=order_confirmation_email&utm_term=eventname&ref=eemailordconf