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"Parenting An Athlete"
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Rediscovering Youth               Sportsmanship    
Program

 

Frequently Asked Questions



When was the program established?

March 2001

 

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How did the program get its start?

The program came about in response to a request from the Atlantic Youth Hockey league to address the rising incidence of parental misconduct at their children’s hockey games. Professionals from the Saint Barnabas Health Care System Sports Medicine Institute and Behavioral Health Network worked with the Atlantic Youth Hockey League to design the program.

 

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Program Description

Rediscovering Youth Sportsmanship is focused on eliminating the growing problem of adult misconduct and poor sportsmanship at youth sporting events. This comprehensive educational program was designed to educate parents and coaches on the issue of acceptable sportsmanship, while also providing penalties for those who act out in front of children.

This year, the program has expanded to include a new offering, Parenting an Athlete, a program that gives parents the tools they need to enhance their child’s development in a variety of sports and help the child build a solid foundation of life skills. Our goal for this program is to provide more in-depth information to teach parents about their child’s developmental needs so that they can support the values of cooperation, communication, tolerance, resiliency, positive emotional expression and conflict resolution.

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How is the program delivered to youth sports organizations?

The design of the program is such that members of any youth sports organization:

  • Can be trained by us to deliver the program to parents/coaches/officials
  • Can contract with us to train the parents/coaches/officials directly
  • Can attend a general presentation at a central location (open to other teams)

 

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Is the program customizable for different sports and age groups?

Yes. Although we have developed a standard set of materials, each time we
present to an organization, we customize the program to suit their specific needs. 

 

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What are the components of the general program?

1. We start with a tone-setting, Motivational Video that uses emotional music, thought provoking sports quotes and scenes of children playing sports and enjoying themselves

2. We also set the stage by reminding parents and coaches of the disturbing statistics in youth sports

3. After the audience understands the problems faced by young athletes, we present key information about the social, emotional and physical stages of young people, age 6-18 

4. Once parents have an understanding of what their children are reasonably capable of, we turn our attention to Boundaries. Our program helps those involved in youth sports understand that the role of the referee is to judge the game, the role of the coach is to direct and encourage and the role of the parent/spectator to is sit back and enjoy the game

5. We then review conflict resolution and anger management skills

6. Our presentation concludes with the introduction of sanctions (where necessary) and the reading and signing of the Parental Pledge and Code of Ethics

 

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Apparently many parents have trouble just sitting back and enjoying the game. How does your program help them learn to do that?

Our Behavioral Health staff developed a Conflict Resolution section of the program that reviews the ways in which you can control your own anger as well as de-escalate anger in others. 

 

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How is this program different than others like it?

With the help of the professionals from our Sports Medicine Institute, we have developed a section of the program that teaches parents and coaches about the social, emotional and physical stages of young people. 

We believe that the more parents and coaches know about what they can expect from a youth at a certain age and what that young person can reasonably accomplish, the less frustrated they will be and the less likely they are to act out. 

Parents and coaches alike need to understand the importance in preparing the young athlete for continued skill development and sustained enjoyment of the sport.

 

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Does your program include enforceable sanctions for misconduct?

Our program strongly recommends sanctions or consequences for poor parental behavior and we work closely with each team to develop sanctions that fit within their specific rules and guidelines. 

The sanctions that we have worked with teams to develop range from immediate ejection and probation for the remainder of the season for the first infraction involving verbal abuse to suspension for the season of the offending adult for the remainder of the season. 

We also recommend that prior to reinstatement the following year the parent attend some form of anger management course. 

In some severe cases, we suggest suspension of the parent’s child for a brief period--noting that parents are apt to think twice before they continue in behavior that may effect their child’s opportunity to play.

Unfortunately human nature being what it is people pay more attention to rules that carry a penalty, especially in the beginning of changing a cultural norm. 

The Seat Belt Lesson is a good example of creating a cultural change in safety awareness. 

 

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What do you do if a team does not want to adopt enforceable sanctions?

For those teams that have not adopted sanctions (as well as those that have), we have developed a Parental Pledge & Code of Ethics that each parent must sign before their child can play. 

Although this document is a pledge, not a legally binding document, we believe that this promise of sorts is an important step in keeping the game fun, and removes the distraction and interference of adult misconduct, thus encouraging positive player development. It reminds parents of what they should and should not do as a spectator and supporter of their young athlete. 

 

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Does the program receive any state funding? 

Yes. The program has received a grant from the NJ Dept of Health and Human Services – Prevention Unit, through which we intend to focus on the further development of our educational and training program, which includes the concepts of sportsmanship, anger management, de-escalating anger in others and understanding of the physical, emotional and social developmental stages of young athletes.

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What other programs exist to address this issue?

 

For more information call (877) 84-YOUTH or email: info@sbhcs.com  today!

 

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©2001 Saint Barnabas Health Care System
All Rights Reserved

No portion of this program may be reproduced or reused without the expressed written permission of the
Saint Barnabas Health Care System