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, (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 Coté StageAgesNumber of Sports Responsible for initiation Major Goal of stage Sampling years6-13Many, more than 2 ParentFun, Free play Specialization years Athlete/ parentFun + Practice Investment years 16>1Athlete (coach)Deliberate Practice Recreational years Any ageVariousPursue sport, recreationally Not directed toward elite

The Performance Team Athlete CoachParent

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 Family Dynamic Family Dynamic Personal Validation 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”