Father swimming with his child

Parents in Sport Week at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ staff and students are supporting national Parents in Sport Week, which runs until October 8.

The aim of the week, an initiative established by the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) in 2016, is to encourage sports organisations and clubs to recognise and promote the positive and important role parents play in helping children reach their full potential.

Organisations are invited to work with parents to reflect on the demands they’re encountering and identify strategies to manage these demands. In addition, sports are encouraged to show they value parental input and are grateful for what parents can do.

To support the week the University’s National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine East Midlands (NCSEM East Midlands) has produced a series of videos featuring expert advice from º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ’s School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences (SSEHS) academics:

  • Professor Chris Harwood discusses how parents can support the psychological development of their children through his 5Cs framework.
  • Dr Karl Steptoe’s video looks at how parents can help influence the psychology of their children and the role they play helping them meet the demands of elite sport.
  • Dr Janine Coates discusses how you can get children with a disability to be more active, looking at barriers that exist and to how to overcome them, the benefits of being more active, funding and information sources available.
  • Drs Emma Haycraft, Natalie Pearson and Lauren Sherar focus on the KidsFirst project, which is aiming to reduce children’s screen time and how to be more active as a family.
  • Natalie Matthewman looks at the importance of getting children active from an early age, and the impact this has on child development.
  • PhD student Rob Townsend focuses on disability coaching and the role that parents of children with a disability play in supporting coaching and how parents/coaches can work together.

All the videos can be viewed at www.ncsem.org.uk/parentsinsport.

During Parents in Sport Week, the University’s NCSEM East Midlands is also hosting a public lecture on Wednesday October 4 at 6.25pm, titled ‘The weight of responsibility: Schools and the future of our children’s health’. It will be given by Dr Lauren Sherar, a Senior Lecturer in Physical Activity and Public Health.

For more information, or to reserve a place at the event click here.

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is at the international forefront of research into parenting in sport. Professor of Sport Psychology, Chris Harwood, from the University’s SSEHS is leading programmes that investigate the experiences and support needs of parents, as well as the development of resources that help parents and children gain a positive and confidence building experience from their participation in sport.

He is currently working with the Lawn Tennis Association on the roll-out of a national parent support strategy, including several regional parent workshops that are taking place during the week, with one taking place at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ.

Speaking about Parents in Sport Week Professor Harwood said: “Parents are key stakeholders in youth sport and eager to help their child thrive in whatever sporting activity they take an interest in. As academics who understand the multiple demands and benefits of sport, we have a real opportunity to share our knowledge with parents and help them to thrive in their support roles. Parent in Sport Week is a great opportunity to celebrate the role of parents in children’s sport.”

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: PR 17/133

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is equipped with a live in-house broadcast unit via the Globelynx network. To arrange an interview with one of our experts please contact the press office on 01509 223491. Bookings can be made online via www.globelynx.com

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world to study sports-related subjects in the 2017 QS World University Rankings and top in the country for its student experience in the 2016 THE Student Experience Survey.

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 6th in the Guardian University League Table 2018, 7th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018 and 10th in The UK Complete University Guide 2018. It was also named Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017.

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

The º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.

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