Q. Should my child play competitive sports?
A. Properly organised youth sports programmes can offer a positive growth experience for children. Children are not merely small adults. Their needs are quite different. The quality of their experience depends on both effective coaching and effective parenting.

Q. What is the central issue in coaching young players?
A. The value of youth sport is proportional to the child's opportunity to grow as a person while also having fun. "Winning" is clearly secondary. The exaggerated emphasis on winning that characterises so many sports on television should not be carried over to children.
Effective coaches teach children the proper balance between competition and co-operation. In sport for the youngest children, it is not necessary to keep the score. As the children get a bit older and their skills and interest increase, the intensity of competition should rise in proportion.

Q. What is the role of self-esteem?
A. Good coaches boost children's self-esteem. Moreover, children with low self-esteem are more vulnerable. They have the need for a good sporting experience. They can gain more from good coaching and suffer more from bad coaching than children with high self-esteem.

Q. What is the ideal relationship between parent and coach?
A. Parents play an important part in the players experience. Note that with skilful parenting and effective coaching, the child is involved in both fun and growth. When one or both are missing, the playing experience may be hollow.

Q. What is the key issue in effective parenting of the young rugby player?
A. Here again the issue is self-esteem. Positive reinforcement by the parents is critical. "Walk around looking for your child to do something right" (Wright and Johnson 1983) Repeated praise for gradually increasing skills enhances self-esteem and motivation to participate. (This applies to all ages)

Q. What is the parents role on the side line?
A. On the sideline the parents should encourage and support. Younger children find it difficult to understand or appreciate their parents arguing with the coaches or match officials.

Q. What is the key characteristic of effective parents?
A. The children know they are loved for who they are and not how they perform, either on the playing field or in the classroom.

Q. Should I coach?
A. It is estimated that one coach is necessary for every eight children participating in junior sports. Consequently, in many cases, if the parent does not coach, there will be no team for the child. Coaching effectiveness training becomes a tremendous asset in this situation.