PCA Resource zone
The Positive Sports Parent/Caregiver

PCA’s mission is to change the culture of youth sports so that every child, regardless of social or economic circumstance, has access to a positive, equitable sports experience. Parents/Caregivers play a crucial role in ensuring these outcomes. Positive Sports Parents/Caregivers contribute to a positive youth sport culture by supporting their athlete, their athlete’s coach, and the team community in a way that creates a sense of belonging.
The Big Picture in Youth Sports
A Positive Sports Parent/Caregiver recognizes that there is a small picture and a big picture in youth sports. The small picture concerns things like whether their athlete is playing the right position, the team is winning, the coach’s defensive strategy, etc. The big picture, which often gets drowned out by the little picture, is about what the athlete is learning from their sport experience – both inside and outside of the sports space.
The best way that parents/caregivers can support their athletes, their athlete’s coaches, and the team community is by focusing on the big picture – the lifelong impact of the life skills developed within a positive, supportive youth sports experience.
The How
Parents/Caregivers can contribute to a developmental sports experience by:
- Reinforcing the life skills athletes develop during their sport
- Collaborating with their athletes on setting goals for their sports experience
- Showing empathy in interactions with their athlete by listening to understand and validate their perspectives
- Letting the Coaches coach and refraining from interfering with their game plans, strategy, etc.
- Understanding the principles of positive coaching and seeking out coaches/teams/programs that utilize tools to create the best possible sport experience for their athletes
- Engaging with and supporting the other parents/caregivers within the team community to create a sense of belonging
When parents/caregivers embrace their role as a Positive Sports Parent/Caregiver, it can transform the way they see and interact with their athlete. By providing their athletes support, building a positive parent/caregiver-coach partnership, and contributing to the team community, a positive sports parent can ensure the best experience for all involved.
This resource was adapted from an excerpt of Jim Thompson’s Positive Sports Parenting.