Parents are key to a child’s life-long involvement in sport – Parents in Sport Week Gets Underway
Sport Ireland is again delighted to partner with the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) in supporting the valuable initiative Parents in Sport week which gets underway today, October 1st.
Parents in Sport Week is a national awareness campaign, which gives sports organisations and clubs the opportunity to build positive relationships with parents and carers.
Now in its third year, and involving over 200 sports organisations in Ireland and the UK, Parents in Sport week has gone from strength to strength reinforcing the positive role that parents play in their children’s sporting lives.
Sport Ireland and the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) are calling on sports clubs to rally behind their efforts from October 1st – 7th to underscore the positive, supporting role that parents play. Coaches and officials can also examine their communication with parents to benefit children’s involvement in sport.
Through consultations with current sports stars and from research conducted with young people all findings pointed to how important parents are as role models.
Commenting on Sport Ireland’s involvement in the initiative, Dr. Una May, Director of Participation & Ethics, said: “We want more parents to be a part of their child’s sporting life. Sports organisations have a role in working with and supporting parents, letting them know how valuable their contribution to youth sport is and encouraging them to get involved”.
Paul Stephenson, NSPCC CPSU says, “Parents, through their support, encouragement and understanding, play a pivotal role in supporting their child’s participation, success and fun when playing sport. It’s essential that sports clubs communicate regularly with parents so that both coach and parent work towards the same goals”.
Through Parents in Sport Week, Sport Ireland and the Child Protection in Sport Unit are helping to change the conversation and remind everyone of the important and extremely valuable contribution parents make to our sport but only if they are engaged appropriately. The aim of the week is to highlight the essential role parents have to a child’s enjoyment and success in playing sport.
The Child Protection in Sport Unit has produced resources for clubs to use with parents and their own coaches. These are available at: Parents in Sport Week 2018
Further Information:
Aims of Parents in Sport Week 2018
The main aim of Parents in Sport Week 2018 is to encourage sports organisations and clubs to recognise and promote the positive and important role parents play in helping children reach their full potential. To do this, they can:
1. Ensure parents recognise their role in keeping children safe in sport.
It’s a big decision for parents to leave their child in the care of someone else. We’re asking sports organisations to provide the information that parents need to make an informed choice about the club or activity their child attends and what to do if they have a concern.
2. Help parents understand how to positively influence their child’s enjoyment and wellbeing in sport.
We’re encouraging parents to look at how their behaviour and involvement influences their child’s enjoyment of sport, through the resources can be found at Parents in sport Sports will be asked to help create a positive environment for children and parents in sport by having a no tolerance policy on poor parental behaviour.
3. Encourage clubs to engage and involve parents in their child’s sport.
This is a chance for clubs and coaches to showcase their creativity, and show us how they will engage directly with parents. Why not try something new. It could be an event for parents, or a change in policy that ensures parents are more involved in the sporting lives of their children.
Useful Links:
Parents in Sport Week 2018
Information for parents and carers