PA WEST SOCCER ASSOCIATION

Parent Education Program for

Club Development&

For the Good of the Game

WHAT IS PARENT EDUCATION?

• In 2001, Hirschy, S. E. quoted Nick Carter, stating that Parent Education are “programs, support services and resources offered to parents and caregivers that are designed to support them or increase their capacity and confidence in raising healthy children (1996)”.

• For soccer clubs this means educating parents of proper sideline behaviors, how to communicate with their children before, after, and during soccer games, as well as providing them with resources on player development and club curriculum, tournaments, among other topics.

*Sharon Hirschy of University of North Texas Center for Parent Education*Nick Carter of Pew Charitable Trusts, Philadelphia, PA

FOUR STAGES OF LEARNING

KNOWING YOUR CLIENT (PARENTS)

Linda Adams. Stages of learning. Gordon Training International (1970).

KNOWING YOUR CLIENTS (PARENTS).

• Unconsciously Incompetent• Parents that DON’T know that they

DON’T know

• Consciously Incompetent • Parents that know that they DON’T

know

• Consciously Competent • Parents that know that they know

• Unconsciously Competent • Parents that DON’T know that they

know

Linda Adams. Stages of learning. Gordon Training International (1970).

WHAT SHOULD PARENT BE EDUCATED ON?

• Acceptable sideline behaviors

• Concussion

• Laws of the Game

• Parent-player-coach-club relationships

• College showcase &Tournaments

• Characteristics of children

WHAT SHOULD PARENT BE EDUCATED ON? Cont.

• Parents & players responsibilities

• Why do children play sports?

• Club & team curriculum

• How to evaluate player development

• Communication• Parent to player• Parent to coach• Parent to club

WHY PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM

• To create a fun and positive environment in practices and game days for players, coaches, parents, and match officials.• Parent and coaches pressure is the major reason kids quit sports

• To improve player development• Parents negative discussions with their kids could impact player

development

• To improve relationships.• Parent-coach

• Parent-club

• Parent-player

WHY PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM…cont.

• To keep more players in the game.

• To keep more referees in the game (Young and Adult), etc.• Increase referee retention• Improve parent-referee relationship

• Reduce future potential problems due to misunderstanding/misinformation.

• It helps to increase retention and grow clubs.

WHY PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM…cont.

WHEN & WHERE SHOULD PARENTS BE EDUCATED?

• Parent meetings• Annually and/or Bi-annually• Seasonal

• Team meetings• Pre-season• In-season• Post SEASON

• Before and After Events• Weekly trainings• Scrimmages• Games, etc.

HOW TO REACH OUT TO PARENTS

DIRECTLY

• Parent meetings

• Team meetings

• Tournaments and games

• Parent education courses

INDIRECTLY• Email Blast

• Newsletter

• Flyers/Pamphlets/Handbooks

• Free webinar/Online Modules

• Website

HOW TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION IN PARENT EDUCATION

• Mandatory attendance• In conjunction with Club AGM or

Team meeting or parent orientation

• Signing of a contract• Contract to attend • Parent “behavior” contract

• Provide incentives to parents• Club discounts• Gift cards• Door prizes

DEALING WITH OUT-OF-CONTROL PARENTS

• Create a Appeal and Discipline Committee• Conflict resolution process

• Create a clear path for parents to file grievances

• Signed contracts• For parents

• For coaches

DEALING WITH OUT-OF-CONTROL PARENTS…Cont.

•Code of Conduct•For parents•For coaches•For players

@BelievePHQ 2016

DEALING WITH OUT-OF-CONTROL PARENTS…Cont.

• Sample Code of Conduct

• For parents

SIX (6) SIDELINE BEHAVIORS

1. Avoid coaching from the sideline

2. Do not criticize game officials

3. Do not focus on winning and/or game score

4. Avoid confrontation with opposing fans/parents

5. Don’t stress out over the game

6. Give yourself a minimum of 24-hours after a game before confronting the coach

DON’T BE THIS PARENT

PARENT CONVERSATION WITH CHILD

OTHER RESOURCES FOR SPORTS PARENTING

• Canadian Hockey Association

• English FA’s “Respect” Campaign

• Georgia Soccer Association – KINS Program

• Liberty Mutual Responsible Sports’ Campaign

• PA West Soccer Association – BINS Program

• Positive Coaching Alliance

• MomsTeam of Institute for Youth Sports Safety

• Sports Path

• US Youth Soccer Association

REFERENCES

• English FA’s “Respect” Campaign video (n.d.). Retrieved on May 24th, 2016 from www.youtube.com

• Eguaoje, T., et al (2012). Developing a Model Soccer Club: Understanding and Implementing Best Practices for Club Wellness. SoccerROM. Middletown, DE

• Georgia Soccer Association – KINS Program. Retrieve on May 24th, 2016 from www.georgiasoccer.org

• Hirschy, S. E. (2001). What is Parent Education. Retrieved on May 24th, 2016 from http://parenteducation.unt.edu/resources/publication-university-north-texas-center-parent-education-partnership-texas-council-fam-2

• Jed Mettee, V.P. of Marketing and Communication San Jose, Earthquakes(n.d.). Positive Coaching Alliance Video. Youtude.com

REFERENCES…Cont.

• Linda Adams (n.d.). Gordon Training International (1970). Stages of Learning. Retrieve on May 24th, 2016 from http://www.gordontraining.com/free-workplace-articles/learning-a-new-skill-is-easier-said-than-done/

• Kansa Rush Soccer Club (n.d.). What parent should say on the ride home. Retrieve on May 24th, 2016 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCtMRFYlm4I&list=PLS-r7JutQbbydt1IB5LXj-1UKteRlz-PI

• PA West Soccer Association – BINS Program; Booting Is Not Soccer. 2nd Edition by Terry Eguaoje, Ed.D.

• Twitter (2016). @BelievePHQ

• US Youth Soccer(2012). Parent Tips: Sideline Etiquette. Retrieved on May 24th, 2016 from http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/sideline_etiquette_6_tips_to_make_youth_soccer_better_for_parents_and_players/

• US Youth Soccer (2012). Positive Parenting Video. Retrieved on May 24th, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFuVVYJYMEA&list=PL805D77038B88D895&index=2

• US Youth Soccer (2012). Youth Soccer in America. How do we measure success? Retrieved on May 24th, 2016 from http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/news/youth_soccer_in_america_-_how_do_we_measure_success/?story_id=3974

QUESTIONS?