Information for parents

What to look for in a sports club

Here are the key points you should check out when choosing a sports club or activity for your child.

Note: this information is also available as a printable PDF leaflet in English (Keeping children safe in sport – a parent’s charter) and in Welsh (Cadw plant yn ddiogel mewn chwaraeon – siarter i rieni). 

Has the club or organisation achieved a sports body or local council accreditation (eg Clubmark) that is up to date? If so, then this can be viewed as evidence that the club or organisation has attained a certain level of safe practices as assessed by the awarding body.

Quick checklist

Even if the club is accredited, you should check that the organisation has:

• a named and contactable welfare officer responsible for the implementation of their safeguarding policy and issues regarding the protection of children or young people
• procedures for dealing with complaints or concerns regarding poor practice, abuse or neglect
• written standards of good practice, such as a code of conduct or behaviour
• a parental consent and emergency details form that you must return to the club
• safe recruitment procedures for those working with young people that include: a clear job description, appropriate references, criminal records checks (eg DBS) for relevant posts and technical qualifications
• access to appropriate safeguarding or child protection training for its staff and volunteers
  
  

Remember, a well-run club will welcome questions about their activities and policies. They'll know they have a responsibility to give this kind of information to anyone who leaves a child in their care.

Policies and procedures

Does the organisation have a safeguarding policy?

Sports clubs and organisations should have a safeguarding policy, with a clear procedure for dealing with concerns or risks of abuse. You should be advised how you can access the policy.

(You can take a look at our sample safeguarding policy statement which outlines how a sports organisation will ensure children are kept safe when taking part in their sport.) 

If you or your child have any worries, who can you talk to?

Every sports organisation should have a named welfare officer and promote their contact details. Well run clubs should be prepared to listen and advise you what to do if you have any concerns. They should have information about local or national services that can also offer advice and support.

Does the organisation have a written code of behaviour or code of conduct?

There should be a written code of behaviour (or conduct) showing what is required of staff, volunteers and participants. Avoid organisations that do not have a commitment to address bullying, shouting, racism, sexism or any other kind of oppressive behaviour. Any unacceptable behaviour should be challenged and dealt with in a professional manner by the sports organisation.

(We offer a sample code of conduct for staff and volunteers for sports organisations to use. Take a look to see what it covers.) 

What boundaries exist concerning club relationships?

The club should have clear guidelines about appropriate relationships and social activities between staff, volunteers, participating young people, and parents. Find out who in the club you can speak to if you have concerns about boundaries not being observed.

What ratio of supervising adults to children is there?

Find out what the recommended supervision ratios are for your child's chosen activity. You can do this by referring to the organisation responsible for the sport or activity. It's always recommended that more than one member of staff or volunteer is present when in charge of young people.

(We've got guidance for sports organisations on appropriate staffing and supervision ratios so you can see what's expected of clubs.) 

Does the club ask for signed parent's consent and emergency details?

As part of your child's registration, are you asked to complete a consent form? This should ask for emergency contacts, key medical information (allergies, asthma, etc.) and whether there are any other issues the club needs to know about in order to help your child get the most out of their participation.

(We offer a template registration and consent form to sports organisations that you can take a look at to see what you may be asked to fill in for your child.)

What about arrangements for away fixtures and other events?

The sports club or organisation should inform you about the event arrangements and planning, including transport to and from the venue. You should also be given information about the venue itself. If it's a long way from home, you should be given a contact number for use in emergencies.

(We've got guidance for sports organisations on away trips which you may find useful to read through to see what you and the club are responsible for.)

Recruitment of staff and volunteers

Have all staff and volunteers been selected through a proper recruitment process?

This should include interviews, references and criminal records checks (e.g. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)) for staff working with children. 

What training has been provided for staff and volunteers?

All staff and volunteers should have up-to-date recognised safeguarding training. Organisations often require and are able to provide sport-specific training programmes for staff and volunteers.

(Our safer recruitment pages include what safeguards clubs should be putting in place when hiring staff or volunteers.)

Is the coach qualified?

Your child's coach should have a recognised qualification to clarify they are qualified and have the technical competence in the sport or activity at the right level. Coaches need to be competent to deliver and oversee the sport or activity safely.

Health and safety

Make sure that the organisation has guidance of first aid (and ideally a qualified first aider) and that the following are available within the club:

• first aid box
• procedure for reporting and responding to injuries or accidents that occur within club time
• arrangements for providing participants with drinks and dissemination of medications (parental consent will be required for dissemination of medication)
• that the premises satisfy fire and other relevant regulations
  
  

If your child needs help with using the toilet, changing, feeding or their medication, discuss and agree how these personal care needs will be addressed.

(Our guidance on personal care responsibilties for young athletes might give you an idea of what you and the club need to discuss.)

How you can support your child in sport

As a parent, you play an essential part in encouraging and supporting your child’s participation in their chosen sport. There are obvious parts to this, such as providing lifts to and from training and matches, or by buying sports kit and equipment.

But you might also contribute by helping out as a volunteer at the club, running fundraising events or assisting with websites or funding applications.

You can provide a positive role model, encouraging fair play and a sporting approach to your child’s involvement.

However, there are times when parental behaviour is much less positive and makes it difficult for children to enjoy or even continue to take part in their sport. Sometimes parents may not recognise or realise that they are behaving in a negative or abusive way.

What not to do

Problems arise when parents:

• are consistently negative about, mock, verbally abuse or threaten their own child or other players
• criticise or goad officials, other spectators or coaches
• square up to, threaten or have fights with other adults or young players
• encroach on the court or field of play, physically intervene, or disrupt play
• expect too much of their children
• focus exclusively on winning at any cost
• impose sporting aspirations on their children 
• encourage foul play or rule-breaking
• contradict the advice or guidance of the coach
• push gifted children too hard and too fast
• pursue their own sporting dreams through their children
• define their child by their talent and success alone
• demand that their child sacrifices ‘fun’ activities for ‘serious’ training
  
  

How bad parental behaviour affects young people

It's important to understand and acknowledge how poor parental behaviour affects children – whether it's your own child, other young participants or young officials. 

Children have told us:

‘I get really scared when they are all shouting at me.’

‘His dad was shouting, "You’re a disgrace to the family" – I felt really bad for him.’

‘Dad thinks he’s helping – but he just puts me off my game.’

‘When mum starts yelling from the side, I feel so embarrassed.’

‘It doesn’t matter if I played well – if we lose they don’t even talk to me.’

‘They started fighting… I was terrified… I wanted to run away.‘

’It’s confusing when the coach says "Do this," but dad says do it different.’

‘When I don’t do as well as I should, I know mum feels I’ve let her down – even if she doesn’t say it.’

‘I just wanted to give it all up.’

‘He seems to forget that it’s my team.’

Positive things you can do

• support your child enthusiastically
• encourage your child without expecting perfection
• be a good role model – to children and other parents 
• promote fair play
• acknowledge the efforts of all the children
• encourage your child to play by the rules
• support the coaches and officials (particularly young officials)
• share challenges or criticisms (of officials, coaches or players) in a constructive way
• encourage other spectators to be positive
• challenge or report poor side-line behaviour
• allow the coaches to coach
• support and respect your child’s ambitions in sport
• remember that this is your child’s sporting experience – not yours
• celebrate and support your child as a whole person who needs a range of experiences, both inside and outside sport
  
  

This is what we like to hear a child say:

‘My dad’s the best role model I could ask for. He was always on the touchline giving me great support and always encouraging me on – really good, really positive. He’s just an inspiration for me.’

These videos, created by the CPSU, highlight the positive role you can play as a parent to support your child in their chosen sport.

We hear from professionals and children themselves about the impacts that your behaviour – both good and bad – can have on young people's enjoyment and continued success in sport.

Messages for parents of young athletes

The key for being involved in your child’s sport and to help them enjoy participating and achieve success is simply this – talk to your child.

In their own words – a video from young people about parental involvement in sport

In these short videos, young people talk about the support they've received from their parents to get involved in sport. They also offer some key messages to parents about the kind of support you can offer.

The importance of parents in sport

It's really important that you get involved and support your child in sport. Don't let media stories about 'pushy parents' put you off.

My magic sports kit

Children in different sports describe how they seem to be magically transformed into professional adult athletes when they compete. In this video, they remind parents to just treat them as kids having fun: "It's our game, not yours."

The role of parents in supporting children and young people in sport

As a parent, you’re a role model for your child to get active and enjoy sport. You show them how to be a good sportsperson and help them deal with the emotions of winning and losing, and how to react positively in different situations.

How parents can prepare and support talented young athletes

It’s not just at competitions that your support is important. Your help in getting your child the right training and coaches, motivating them before events, and being there for them afterwards all make a big difference in how they perform in and enjoy their sport.  

More videos

You can find more videos covering a wide variety of topics on the NSPCC YouTube channel.