“Parents and the home environment they create are the single most important factor in shaping their children’s well-being, achievements and prospects.”
Every Parent Matters, Department for Education and Skills, 2007
Behind every talented performer there are parents who work tirelessly and continually to support their children in pursuing their sporting dreams. They are the unsung heroes of our national teams and live every moment of their child’s sporting journey.
Effective support of talented young performers depends on the co-ordinated support provided by teachers, parents and coaches. Together with other elements, this group is part of a young performer’s TeamYOU.
School G&T programmes encourage parents and carers to attend an annual planning meeting with the JAE mentors to identify potential clashes or “hot spot” of sport and academic commitments.
The Youth Sport Trust has developed a series of resources to support parents of young gifted and talented athletes, in line with the government’s Every Parent Matters publication.
Click here to download a Performance Parent information sheet
The Junior Athlete Education (JAE) parent workshop
This is part of the JAE life-skills workshop series. JAE trained teachers deliver this to parents of G&T young people in their school. It outlines the roles and responsibilities of a Performance Parent and how they can support the young performer.
Performance Parent booklet
The booklet is presented in an engaging and accessible format. No matter at what stage on the gifted and talented pathway their child is, the booklet gives invaluable advice and reassurance about what it takes to be a performance parent. It contains:
- Top ten tips for performance parents: Compiled from interviews with parents.
- Performance Parent Case studies: The parents of young elite athletes from rowing, disability swimming, athletics and hockey were asked to contribute towards the booklet. Their experiences as parents of talented performers were captured, along with their key piece of advice for other parents.
- Links to useful websites: There are links to a number of different international websites which contain useful documents and information for parents of elite athletes.
Download the Performance Parent Booklet
The booklet is funded by the government’s PE and Sport Strategy for Young People (PESSYP) as part of the Gifted and Talented strand. It will be used to support the new Junior Athlete Education framework through 2008 - 2011.
Performance Parent Case Studies
Click here Top 10 Tips for Performance Parents
Click here Catherine and Carl Gardener Case Study – Parents of Jason Gardener
Click here David and Lynda Page Case Study – Parents of Natasha Page
Click here Stuart and Maria Simpkin Case Study – Parents of Elizabeth Simpkin
Click here Barbara and John Walsh Case Study – Parents of Kate and Rachel Walsh
Click here Sue Harper - Parent of Andrew Harper
Click here Liz and Stephen D’Agostino – Parents of Matt D’Agostino
Click here Catherine and Christophe Mageean – Parents of Ciara Mageean
Click here Elaine and Douglas Hamilton – Parents of Craig Hamilton
Click here Cathy and Robert Twigg – Parents of Georgie Twigg
Click here Val Simmonds – Parent of Eleanor Simmonds
Parent workshops as part of the National Talent Orientation Camp
Parents are invited to attend a workshop and the final day of the National Talent Orientation Camp.
I eXcel Card scheme guidance material for parents/carers
NGBs nominate exceptionally talented performers to the I eXcel Card scheme. Parents will receive a comprehensive guide to outlining what flexibility and additional support is available for their child.
For further information about the Performance Parent resources please email Francesca Ruffoni, Talent Support Manager at sport@youthsporttrust.org.