What Parents Want from A Ski & Snowboard Club

Lester L. Keller PhD

USSA Club Excellence Symposium

May 2013

Participation Motivation & Attrition

• Top 3 reasons kids play

1. To have fun and enjoy themselves

2. To Get better at some task, to seek competence

3. To affiliate, make friends and do things together with those friends

Why Study Parents?

• Youth Sport Research Focused On:– Kids– Coaches

• What role does the Parent play?

Parent Roles in Child’s Sport Career

• Initiator• Instigator• Enabler• Supporter• Motivator

• Client?

Two Studies on Parents in Sport

• Keller• U of Utah• “Goals for Self: A

Phenomenological Study of Parents in Youth Sports”

• Parent Motives:– “What’s in for You?”– Why Sports?

• Fifer & Wiersma• Center for the Advancement of

Responsible Youth Sport, Cal State, Fullerton

• “It’s Our Turn to Speak: The Joys, Challenges, and Recommendations of Youth Sport Parents”

– Self Id of Parent Roles in Youth Sports• Joys• Difficulties and challenges

Sport Performance Frame

• A Developmental Theory of Youth Sport• Stages of Sport, Coté

– Sampling stage, 6-13 (U8-U14)– Specialization stage, 13-16 (U16)– Investment stage, 16> (U18 & U 20) – Recreational stage

• Additional Stages in Sport Career?– [Expert Stage, women 18+, Men 21+ (Seniors)– “Champion” Stage ]

Sport Stages suggested by CotéStage Ages Number of

SportsResponsible for initiation

Major Goal of stage

Sampling years 6-13 Many, more than 2

Parent Fun, Free play

Specialization years

13-16 1-2 Athlete/ parent Fun + Practice

Investment years

16> 1 Athlete (coach) Deliberate Practice

Recreational years

Any age Various Pursue sport, recreationally

Not directed toward elite

The Performance Team

Athlete

Coach Parent

Athlete

Coach

Parent

“The Biggest Mistake in Youth Sport”

Expanded Support Team• Coach/Sport Roles

– Head Coach– Technical Coach, Primary Sport– Assistant coaches– Coaches, Secondary Sport– Conditioning Coach– Trainer, PT– Equipment Supplier– Serviceman– Mental Strength Coach– Club Director– Teammates– Rivals

• Family– Parents– Siblings– Extended Family

• Academic support Team

– Teachers– Counselors– Schoolmates– School Clubs

• Additional Sports

Parent Reward

• What do Parents seek in Initiating a sport career for their child?

• Why do they sustain that support as the child progresses through the stages?

• What role do parents play in choice and attrition?

Competitive Ski & Snowboarding

SPORT

FamilyDynamic

Personal Validation

Life’s Lessons

HONOR AND PASS ON MY VALUES

Why Sports?

• Health & well-being• Athleticism• Active life-style• Mountains and outdoor environments• Family history in sports

– In skiing– In riding

Strengthening the Family

• Family Traditions– “We are skiers” or “We are riders”.– Great family activity we can all do together

• Family Bonds– Strength through commitment– Shared sacrifice

Sport Teaches Life’s Lessons

• Teamwork• Commitment• Work ethic• Values• Sportsmanship• Citizenship

Validation & Enjoyment

• The “Good Parent”• Made the right choices as a parent• I love to ski or ride• Travel to great ski areas

Dreams & Passions

• “ I am a ski racer”; or “I am a snowboarder”.• Stage 3 = the child/youth takes over the career. They own the

dream.– Development of a support network

• Contribution to the club• Contribution to the Sport

• Major support is from the family unit, aka the Parents

So, What Do they Seek in a Club? • Methods and Content

– Its not just the skiing or riding! Mostly but not all!• Orientation & Knowledge

• Manuals• Web sites• Podcasts• Mentors• “The Parent coach”• Training: How be a contributer to both the child and the Club

• Social Culture– Parent-child activities within the club structure

Club / Partnership

• Stage shift preparation– Every 2 Years the parents of a ‘U’ classification change– Prepare the parent for what is happening now & what is ahead

• Parent coach meetings• Organized squad & team support group

• Social affiliation– Parents seek to part of a ski racing community– Opportunity and activities

What is a Culture?

• The set of shared attitudes, values, goals or practices that characterizes an Institution

• The set of values, conventions, or social practices associated with a particular field, activity or profession

• Customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a group, institution, or organization

• The charcteristic features of everyday life shared by a people or group in a place or time

Common features of Definitions

• Values x 2• Attitudes• Goals• Practices, social practices• Conventions, customary beliefs• Material traits, characteristic features

Parents Seek:

• Assistance in their kids development of:– Values– Citizenship– Moral development– Healthy lifestyle habits– Physical fitness– Sport Skills

• A good life for their children• Validation of parenthood: “I’m a good parent”