The document outlines key principles for parents of young athletes, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative performance partnership between athletes, coaches, and parents. It provides ten tips, including prioritizing school over sports, fostering self-confidence in children, and monitoring their well-being. Ultimately, it encourages parents to support their children while allowing them to enjoy their journey in sports.

1. Sporting Parents: Gold Medal Parenting for the Parents of Young AthletesWayne Goldsmithwww.sportscoachingbrain.comwww.swimcoachingbrain.com

2. Important conceptAthletes should do their job to the best of their ability;Coaches should do their job to the best of their ability;Parents should do their job to the best of their ability.It’s a Performance Partnership.Copyright Sports Coaching Brain - All Rights Reserved.

3. The Performance PartnershipReal success is possible when all “performance partners” do their jobs to the best of their ability.Collaboratively.Co-operatively.Open, honest, communication.Mutual respect.SUCCESSCopyright Sports Coaching Brain - All Rights Reserved.

4. What can you do?Give unconditional love.Develop the person.Listen. Listen. Listen.Teach values.Model virtues.Develop character.Encourage independence.Provide limitless support.And unconditional love!!!!!Copyright Sports Coaching Brain - All Rights Reserved.

5. Why problems happen.Problems happen when people in the partnership cross their lines of responsibility.Athletes: train, compete and recover.Coaches: coach.Parents: Parent.Communication is everything.Copyright Sports Coaching Brain - All Rights Reserved.

6. Top Ten Tips for Sporting Parents 1: Training Load.How many training sessions should your child do each week?As many as they need to achieve their goals.As many as they enjoy.As many as their mind and body can manage.No golden rules or magic formulas.Copyright Sports Coaching Brain - All Rights Reserved.

7. Top Ten Tips for Sporting Parents 2: Special Diet.Sporting kids do not need a special diet.Keep it simple.Fresh.Limit junk food.Lots of fruit and vegetables.Lean meat.NO SUPPLEMENTS.Copyright Sports Coaching Brain - All Rights Reserved.

8. Top Ten Tips for Sporting Parents 3: School and Sport.School comes first.Sport can teach lessons about life, values, team building, leadership, time management etc. and enhance the school experience.Must learn to balance both school and sport commitments.Copyright Sports Coaching Brain - All Rights Reserved.

9. Top Ten Tips for Sporting Parents 4: Specialisation.There is no golden rule about when kids should specialise in one sport or one event.They will tell you what they want to do….when they are physically and mentally ready to specialise they will specialise.Be patient.Copyright Sports Coaching Brain - All Rights Reserved.

10. Top Ten Tips for Sporting Parents 5: Talent.Real talent is harder to HIDE than it is to FIND.You as a parent are in no position to judge “talent” – that’s our job.Talent under 12 years of age is not talent – it’s growth and development.Sport is more than just size and strength.Copyright Sports Coaching Brain - All Rights Reserved.

11. Top Ten Tips for Sporting Parents 6: Strength Training.Kids of any age can do strength training.Body weight exercises.Stability.Flexibility.Good technique is essential.Weights not the answer for kids…technique and skills and mental approach more important.Copyright Sports Coaching Brain - All Rights Reserved.

12. Top Ten Tips for Sporting Parents 7: Finding a Coach.Find a coach who has the background, training and skills in the sport.Someone who will work (partner) with you.Someone who loves their job.Someone your kid likes and respects.Copyright Sports Coaching Brain - All Rights Reserved.

13. Top Ten Tips for Sporting Parents 8: Fatigue and IllnessMonitor kids for signs of fatigue.Sleeplessness.Weight loss.Apathy.Mood changes.Loss of appetite.Loss of enthusiasm.Just like you when you are tired!Copyright Sports Coaching Brain - All Rights Reserved.

14. Top Ten Tips for Sporting Parents 9: Self Confidence.Self belief and self confidence are THE critical cornerstones of success for every athlete.Work with your kids throughout their lives to develop these skills – they are essential.Self belief and self confidence are like breathing: critical for a quality life.Copyright Sports Coaching Brain - All Rights Reserved.

15. Top Ten Tips for Sporting Parents 10: How long does it take?We believe it takes around ten years of dedicated practice for athletes to realise their full potential.No short cuts.No gimmicks.No quick answers.Consistent quality training, good coaching and great parenting.Copyright Sports Coaching Brain - All Rights Reserved.

16. Something else… Sporting Parent BehaviourBe Calm and dignified at sporting events.Don’t run down the coach.Don’t challenge the coach in front of athletes.Encourage and praise effort – not just excellence.It’s about the Performance NOT the Person.Copyright Sports Coaching Brain - All Rights Reserved.

17. Summary.Do your “job” to the best of your ability.Love them, teach values and develop the human being.Support the coach.Be patient.Let them be kids…then help them be athletes.Copyright Sports Coaching Brain - All Rights Reserved.

18. ContactsWayne GoldsmithManaging Director,MOREGOLD PERFORMACE CONSULTING.www.moregold.com.auwww.sportscoachingbrain.comwww.swimcoachingbrain.comwww.businesscoachingbrain.comEmail: wayne@moregold.com.auCopyright Sports Coaching Brain - All Rights Reserved.