The NSPCC and Ulster Hockey have joined forces with numerous other sports organisations in the UK and Ireland to promote Parents in Sport Week.
We want everyone to rally behind our efforts to underline the positive, supporting role that parents play.
Ulster Hockey invites athletes, parents, coaches, as well as recreation, sport, and community organizations to participate in our third annual social media campaign to celebrate Parents in Sport Week.
For sport clubs and coaches the week is an opportunity to assess and improve their efforts to inform and involve parents. Creating an environment where kids, parents, coaches, clubs can all thrive is the goal.
Through Parents in Sport Week, Ulster Hockey want to emphasise how parents can positively influence their children in Hockey, whilst appreciating the effect this can have on themselves and the rest of the family!
“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,” said Paul Stephenson, NSPCC CPSU.
Not only are we fully behind this initiative to raise awareness of the positive role a parent has in helping a child reach their full potential, we want to raise the awareness of the importance of a positive relationship between coaches and parents, as this has been noted as one of the most important areas in a child’s Hockey environment.
How can you get involved?
The NSPCC has produced resources for clubs to use with parents and their own coaches, including codes of conduct and videos for parents and coaches. These are available here.
Parents in Sport Week aims to:
•Ensure parents recognise their role in keeping children safe in sport.
•Help parents understand how to positively influence their child’s enjoyment and wellbeing in sport.
•Encourage clubs to engage and involve parents in their child’s sport.
‘It’s our game, not yours’
This video shows several children involved in different sports describing how the behaviour of parents and spectators deteriorates when they wear their ‘magic sports kit’ – that is, when they compete.
The young people talk about a range of bad adult behaviours and how these negatively affect them. They then describe and promote positive behaviour.
