Listening to young people
Planning this year’s Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week has been a journey — one filled with collaboration, flexibility, and a deep sense of purpose.
From the very beginning, we knew we wanted to do more than just raise awareness. We wanted to spark real reflection and real conversations between parents and children and help families feel supported and safe in sport. That meant living our values and really listening to young people.
Hearing from children and young people has enabled this campaign to feel like it tackles the things that matter the most to them. The young people from the NSPCC Collective, as well as those who feature in our main video, have all been honest, insightful, brave and their lived experiences have shaped everything — from the messaging in our materials to the questions we’re encouraging parents to ask. It reminded us that safeguarding isn’t just about policies; it’s about relationships, trust, and respect.
“I’m 14, I play Gaelic football, I swim and play soccer. I became involved in this campaign because I have seen many of my friends be affected by negative behaviour from parents on the sidelines. What people shout from the sidelines can stick. As young people we want our parents to be involved, but to remember to remain positive.
“When children grow up, sport can become more competitive, which can result in their parents becoming more competitive. The best thing a parent can do before or after a game is to wish their child luck and focus on what they’ve done well. Sport is something I do, but it’s not everything I do.” Fionn, NSPCC’s The Collective Member
Our digital resources and practical guides, for parents, professionals, and organisations, have all been designed to make it easier to support children in sport. These resources are grounded in the purpose to help parents and carers to listen and learn from their children: the voices of those who know their own sport and needs best.
Why parental behaviour in sport?
So why are we focusing on positive parental behaviour this year?
Because it matters. A lot. The way parents behave before, during, and after sport can have a lasting impact on a child’s confidence, enjoyment, and wellbeing. And it's not just their own children, but those around them too.
“I’m 17, I play football and go to the gym. As young people we like it when parents show interest in the team and ask us questions, like how we are feeling, what we have done in training, or how we have prepared for the game.
"During a game, I really like it when I receive positive input from parents, especially when it comes from someone else's mum or dad.
"If I could ban one thing, it would be arguments between parents, or parents trying to get involved in arguments on the pitch.” Connor, NSPCC’s Young People’s Board for Change Alumni Member
But parents cannot do this alone. It’s our responsibility as sport organisations to support them as best we can, because when parents and carers excel, so do their children. That’s why we’ve organised webinars, videos and guides that aim to educate and support sport organisations when involving parents and carers.
What’s coming up during campaign week (6–12 October)
- A week of themed content across our social media channels
- A powerful campaign video featuring real families and real talk
- Downloadable conversation starters for parents to use with their own children
- Short webinars, videos and other educational guides
- Practical resources to share and use with families
Celebrating parents and children
We’re proud of our campaign, and even prouder of the people who helped shape it. This campaign is for every child who deserves to feel listened to, valued, and supported in sport.
We also want to celebrate parents and carers, because it's tough. Nobody gives you a manual on being the perfect parent... because perfect parents don't exist. All we can do is learn, listen and parent the child in front of us.
Will you play your part?
