During recent years soccer has suffered a serious deterioration in the Sportsmanship aspect of the sport. There has been a growing problem with a lack of respect toward referees and coaches as well as the players. As administrators, coaches, players, parents and fans our behavior and values should bring credit to our program, West Geauga and to the sport.
Please read through the following message and our mission statement, keeping in mind that we have a common goal—the best interest of our children and our Club.
The Ten Commandments for Parents of Athletes
Thou shalt not impose your ambitions on thy child
Remember that athletics is your child’s activity. Improvement and progress occur at different rates for each individual. Don’t judge your child’s progress based on the performance of other athletes, and don’t push them based on what you think they should be doing.
Thou shalt be supportive no matter what
There is only one question to ask your child – “Did you have fun?” If games and practice are not fun, your child should not be forced to participate.
Thou shalt not coach your child
You have taken your child to a trained coach – do not undermine that person by trying to coach your child on the side. Your job is to support and love your child no matter what, and the coach is responsible for the technical part of the job.
Thou shalt have only positive things to say at athletic events
If you are going to show up at a game, you should cheer and applaud, but never criticize your child, other children, the coaches or officials. Always strive to set a good example for your child.
Thou shalt acknowledge thy child’s fears
A first game (or every game) can be a stressful situation. It is totally appropriate for your child to be anxious. Don’t yell or belittle, just assure your child that the coach makes the decisions on when and where to play and to try their best if called upon.
Thou shalt not criticize the officials
If you don not have the time or desire to learn about being an official, don’t criticize those that are doing the best that they can.
Honor thy child’s coach
The bond between coach and player is a special one and one that contributes to your child’s success as well as fun. Do not criticize the coach especially in the presence of your child. It will only serve to hurt your child’s game.
Thy child shall have goals besides winning
Giving an honest effort, regardless of the outcome, is much more important than winning. An Olympic swimmer once said, “My goal was to set a world record. Well, I did that but someone else did it too, just a little faster than I did. I achieved my goal and I lost. That does not make me a failure. In fact, I am very proud of that race.”
Thou shalt place your child first above everything
Ask yourself this question – Are your child’s goals more important to you than they are to your child? Remember that the focus of youth sports should be fun. Children are constantly changing, and their goals, interests and participation in activities will change as well. Parents should remain flexible, patient and always supportive while their children strive to find their niche in life.
Thou shalt not expect your child to become a professional star
The odds of your child becoming a superstar in the professionals are minuscule. If someone tells you something different, they are either lying or completely ignorant on the subject. Ask your coach why he coaches. Chances are he was not a professional player, but still got enough out of the game that he wants to pass that love for the sport on to others. Athletics teaches self-discipline and sportsmanship. It builds self-esteem and fitness. It provides life-long friendships and much, much more. Athletics build good people and you should be happy that your child wants to participate.
It seems one of the most difficult tasks for parents is to release the reigns and let a child fall or fly on his or her own merits. Step back and have confidence in your child and their coaches. Always try to be a positive role model for your child, a positive contributor to the team and a positive influence on the entire environment for all the children. It’s easy to get dragged into a negative situation, but the atmosphere we create for the team is truly a case where each and every one of us is either part of the solution or part of the problem.
