Quick Tips for Parents & Guardians in Sport
Contribute to improving everyone’s sport experiences
What is your role as a parent or guardian?
As a parent or guardian, you are important because your primary concern is your child’s safety and enjoyment. You play a vital role in helping youth participating in sport, recreation, and physical activities feel safe and fun. By promoting and upholding safe participation, you can be an advocate and help keep kids in sport.
- You will be better able to balance your children’s sports schedules with numerous other responsibilities
- You will be better able to prioritize fun and personal development over winning
- You will understand how to provide emotional support for your children through all of the ups and downs that come with participation in sport
- You will understand and believe in the power of sport to help your kids learn to be great adults
- You will be able to help ensure your family participates in a safe sport environment
Practical Tips for Promoting Safe Participation
- Look for programs and clubs that are affiliated with sanctioned Provincial Sport Organizations
- Check the safety policies of any clubs or teams your kids join
- Check the certifications and experience of the coaches
- Prioritize fun and personal development over winning
- Talk openly about your child’s experiences and address any concerns or issues they may have
“Sanctioned” organizations have to meet a set of minimum standards, set by each Provincial Sport Organization. These standards ensure a level of safety that may be present but is not guaranteed in non-sanctioned organizations.
Understanding and using the Rule of Two
The Rule of Two is a practice that helps ensure a safe sport environment for all. During any interaction, make sure that two responsible adults (a coach or screened parent or volunteer) are present with a participant. Interactions should be justifiable, related to sport, and done in open, observable settings.
In-Person Environments
- Coaches and other adults from the team should not be alone and out of sight with an athlete, but should always have another person with them (ideally another trained and screened adult).
- Athletes should not get rides with sport leaders on their own (unless they are family members)
- Parents and guardians should be allowed to watch family member’s practices and games
Online and Virtual Communications
- Coaches should use group chats or include parents/guardians on all direct communications, and should not send messages directly to athletes.
- Sport leaders should not connect with athletes on social media
- All virtual meetings should be recorded with everyone’s knowledge, and with the consent of the parent or guardian and the child
Talking to your kids about sport
How you talk to your child about their sport has the potential to impact their enjoyment and ongoing participation.
- Talk openly about your child’s experiences and address any concerns or issues they may have
- Talk to them in advance about what they’d like to hear from you, and what they’d like to get out of their experience.
- Do they want advice on their performance, or simply words of support? Everyone is different.
- Have a discussion with your family about what they’d like to make the car ride home from training or competition work best for them
