IT is widely acknowledged that parents play a pivotal role in encouraging and supporting their  child’s participation, success and fun when playing sport.

When we all reflect on 2020 during what have been to date unprecedented times, the role of parents in encouraging their children to continue to practice and develop their skills at home in the absence of normal training sessions has proven to be invaluable.

To raise awareness of the important role parents play in our clubs, Ulster GAA in partnership with the Irish News are encouraging all our constituent units to join us in supporting Parents in Sport 2020, through our Save our Smiles Campaign which focuses on the positive role that parents play in helping young people reach their full potential. The theme for this year’s campaign is  ‘Let’s talk about keeping children safe in sport.’

Children and young people take greater enjoyment from participating in Gaelic games if their parents are positively involved.

They are also more likely to continue playing for longer and have more opportunities to reach their maximum potential. However, certain types of involvement and behaviours from parents and carers can be challenging, and take away from a child’s experience and enjoyment.

Some parents commit a lot of time, money and emotional support to their children’s participation, and sometimes in an emotionally-charged environment they may get carried away, for example on the side-lines of a game.

This can lead to some parents displaying intimidating, aggressive, threatening or abusive behaviour towards their own or other children, coaches, officials or other parents or spectators.

These behaviours can have a negative impact on their children, their teammates and opponents, other parents, coaches, and officials. It can lead to children and young people experiencing higher levels of pre-competitive anxiety and lowered self-esteem and confidence.

It is vital that if this behaviour is displayed on the side-line at any time that it is challenged in line with our GAA Code of Behaviour, we simply cannot allow for this type of behaviour to become normal and acceptable.

GAA parents are key stakeholders in all clubs, the contribution they can make to our games and activities is invaluable, particularly at underage level and in the day-to-day running of the club from washing team kits through to transporting players, assisting with teams, fundraising and beyond.

Therefore it is vital that all of our clubs embrace parental involvement in the club in a positive way and that channels of communication between the club, its volunteers and parents are working as effectively as possible.

Through offering support to parents you can encourage that they engage with their child’s GAA activities in a positive way and letting them know that as a club, you are responsive and open to their ideas, you can help to ensure that everyone involved has an enjoyable experience.

Parent in Sport Week takes place on 5-9th October 2020 and there are a number of ways in which your club can participate and build on what was a very successful campaign last year.

Display promotional posters of the Save our Smiles campaign in key locations throughout clubrooms, and online through your social media channels.

Value parents contribution to your club, encouraging their participation in various appropriate roles within the club.

Ensure all parents and carers sign up to GAA Maintaining appropriate levels of behaviour in our work with children and young people, and that all policies and procedures are clearly communicated at the beginning of each year.

Designated spectators areas located away from the field of play are an effective way to discourage unacceptable behaviour.

Lead by example, promote positive behaviour and challenge unacceptable behaviour as soon as possible in order to prevent it from continuing.

For further information please contact Shane McCann shane.mccann.ulster@gaa.ie.