Youth sport plays a major role in the physical, emotional, and social development of children. It teaches teamwork, discipline, resilience, and confidence. However, a child’s experience in sport is not shaped by coaches and teammates alone. Parents also play a significant role in determining whether sport becomes a positive and enjoyable part of a young person’s life. In the ICK Shares Presentation: “Parents in Sport,” Dr Nicola Clarke explores how parental attitudes and behaviours can influence children’s motivation, performance, and long-term participation in sport.
Why Parents Play a Key Role
Parents are often the first people who introduce children to sport. They register them for clubs, drive them to practices and competitions, and provide emotional support throughout their sporting journey. Because of this close involvement, parents strongly influence how children perceive their sporting experiences.
When parents demonstrate enthusiasm, encouragement, and understanding, children tend to enjoy sport more and feel motivated to continue participating. A supportive environment can help young athletes build confidence and develop a healthy relationship with competition and performance.
However, parental behaviour can also create pressure if expectations become too high. When children feel that their parents value winning more than effort or enjoyment, it can lead to anxiety and reduced motivation. In some cases, young athletes may even drop out of sport altogether.
Encouraging the Right Mindset
One of the key messages from Dr Clarke’s talk is that parents should focus on effort and improvement rather than outcomes. Winning and losing are natural parts of sport, but the most valuable lessons come from the process of learning and development.
Praising a child’s dedication, teamwork, and persistence helps create a growth mindset. This approach encourages young athletes to see mistakes as opportunities to improve rather than as failures. As a result, children are more likely to remain engaged and confident even when facing challenges.
Parents can also help children reflect positively after competitions. Instead of asking only about the result, questions such as “Did you enjoy it?” or “What did you learn today?” help shift the focus toward personal development.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Despite good intentions, parents sometimes fall into behaviours that negatively affect their child’s sporting experience. Examples include shouting instructions from the sidelines, criticising mistakes immediately after games, or comparing their child’s performance to others.
These actions can undermine a coach’s guidance and make children feel overwhelmed or self-conscious. Young athletes may begin to associate sport with stress rather than enjoyment.
Another challenge arises when parents become overly invested in outcomes, particularly in competitive environments. While ambition can be positive, excessive pressure can damage confidence and diminish the fun that sport should provide.
Building a Positive Sporting Environment
Creating a supportive environment requires collaboration between parents, coaches, and sporting organisations. Clear communication about expectations and roles can help ensure that everyone works toward the same goal: supporting the child’s development.
Parents can contribute positively by respecting coaches’ decisions, encouraging fair play, and modelling good behaviour during competitions. Applauding effort, showing respect to officials, and celebrating teamwork all demonstrate values that young athletes can learn from.
Conclusion
Parents are one of the most powerful influences in youth sport. Their attitudes, expectations, and behaviour shape how children experience competition, learning, and personal growth. By focusing on encouragement, enjoyment, and development rather than pressure and results, parents can help ensure that sport remains a rewarding and positive experience for young athletes.
Find out more:
Watch the video below for the full presentation
Dr. Nicola Clarke
