Riverton Blue Marlins

Support their coach.

Accept that they cannot win every time they compete.

Turn off as a sporting parent - don’t make sport the one and only topic of conversation at the dinner table and in the car.

Don’t do everything for them - teach them responsibility and self management.

Reward frequently for success and effort but make them small, simple, practical and personal things - kids don’t need a cd or $20 just for playing sport.

Be calm, relaxed and DIGNIFIED at competitions.

Believe it or not, kids can learn to pack and unpack their training bag, clean their own training and competition clothes, fill their own water bottle and put on their own cap and goggles - teach them to control their own sporting careers. A little manual work and helping out with household chores are important lessons in developing independence.

Don’t reward champion performances with junk food.

Skills and attitude are important things - don’t waste money buying kids the latest and greatest equipment and hope to buy a short cut to success.

Avoid relying on “sports foods” and “sports supplements” - focus on a sensible, balanced diet which includes a variety of wholesome, healthy foods.

Praise qualities like effort, trying hard, attempting new skills, the execution of a new skill and similar values rather than winning.

Even if you were an athlete or a player or if you are a trained coach, resist the temptation to coach your own child. It rarely works.

Accept flat spots - times when your child does not improve. During these times encourage participation, focus on learning skills and help them develop perseverance and patience - two life skills that will help them throughout their lives.

Believe it or not, Australian kids are unlikely to die from drinking tap water.

Cheer for your child……..appropriately. Don’t embarrass yourself or them.

Take a strong stand against smoking and drug use (both recreational and performance enhancing).

Don’t look for shortcuts like “miracle sports drinks” or “super supplements” - success in sport comes from consistently practising skills and developing an attitude where the love of sport and physical fitness are the real “magic”.

If one of your kids is a sporting champion and the other kids in the family are not gifted, ensure you have just as much time, energy and enthusiasm for whatever they are doing.

Encourage your kids to find strong role models but try not to let this decision be based on sporting ability only. Look for role models who consistently demonstrate integrity, humility, honesty and the ability to take responsibility for their own actions.

Don’t compare the achievements of your kids to any other kids - good or bad. It only creates barriers and resentments between young people and the world can do with out more of that!