| Just occasionally you have the chance of witnessing | | | | skill based. E.g. improve my time in 100m by.5 sec by |
| something special when you are either training or | | | | Nationals, kick properly and accurately with both feet |
| watching a youth sporting event. You see something | | | | by end of season. |
| extra in a child, that "x" factor, that extraordinary | | | | - Have a positive outlook and continually praise children, |
| internal drive - the combination of dedication and | | | | (this is a given in all situations not only sport) all children |
| practice doused with a touch of raw talent that sets | | | | no matter what level need and thrive on positive |
| some children above others. But as a parent there is | | | | energy and the right words from a parent will have a |
| no book or courses that outline steps or guidelines to | | | | profound effect on them. Positive experiences instill |
| follow for parents to lead their children down the path | | | | higher self esteem, self worth and self confidence, all |
| to becoming an elite athlete. | | | | recipes for success in life as well as sport. |
| In addition to this, with all of the hype around these | | | | - Value their performance, not the winning, and leave |
| days about the importance of participation and | | | | any disappointments in their performances to that |
| de-emphasise on competition and avoiding overtraining | | | | private discussion later when you have had time to |
| and burn out at a young age, so does our dedication | | | | settle down and gather your thoughts. A parents love, |
| as parents be seen as "pushing" our children and | | | | support and respect should be unconditional and not |
| placing excessive pressure on them? If we all take | | | | based on a child's performance. |
| that notion, where does that leave those children who | | | | - Sport should always be FUN, if the enjoyment goes |
| potentially have the ability to obtain excellence in the | | | | from sport and the child has to be asked to attend |
| sporting field? What role does the parent have in | | | | training and/or complains, the fun element is not |
| fostering the career of a young athlete who has the | | | | present, it becomes a chore. The discipline and hard |
| talent, interest, passion and drive to want to pursue | | | | work aspect of sport should come easily and be |
| their future in sport? | | | | relished; the kids should be in LOVE with their sport. |
| To succeed, sport like any other field of study, requires | | | | - Most importantly, parents must teach the value of not |
| hard work, dedication and talent. If a parent/s can | | | | fearing the risks of competition: if you lose, it is |
| provide the right guidance, support and encouragement | | | | acceptable as you love what you are doing, how can |
| the lessons learnt in sport are just as important and | | | | you fail if you love what you are doing? |
| relevant as pursing a path of excelling in maths, music, | | | | Potential elite youth athletes do exist and if by chance |
| or in any other area of performance. | | | | you have one in the family, the role of the parent |
| Guidelines To Follow | | | | should be to nurture, support, impart wisdom and |
| - As a parent we must identify and continually | | | | provide opportunities for the child to engage and strive |
| positively reinforce the child's interests and talents and | | | | for excellence in their chosen passion. The world |
| install in them the value of goal setting. Teaching them | | | | needs sporting heroes for future generations to aspire |
| to set realistic goals that are totally obtainable (specific | | | | to, be role models and provide inspiration to the |
| and measurable), unrealistic goals are setting children | | | | masses. |
| up for failure. Goals should be time orientated and/or | | | | |