Towards the end of the NRL season there was an incredible encounter on the TV between the Canberra Raiders and the Brisbane Broncos, which had everything and was totally captivating.
However, at a key point in the game despite watching avidly one of my children started scrolling on their phone and it led to an interesting conversation with very different viewpoints expressed by both me and my child and it got me reflecting……
When they do watch game or competition, is it the full version… or just a flurry of TikTok and YouTube highlights?
The way young people consume sport today looks very different from how many of us grew up. Back then, if you loved sport, you’d sit through whatever came on TV—whether it was Sunday afternoon football, Ski Sunday, Rugby Special or even the Diamond League on a Friday evening. Fewer choices meant more time watching whatever was available.
Today, attention is fragmented. Young athletes often skip the long game and focus on short clips. But are they missing out on deeper lessons?
There is a lot to be gained from watching sport in detail: understanding tactics, reading momentum shifts, and observing how athletes handle pressure whilst we still must as coaches, educators and parents acknowledge and potentially adapt to working with shortened attention spans.
So, what does this mean for us as sports parents?
Let’s look at some of the advantages of encouraging our children to watch their sport but also with an angle of how it may help them to be better athletes as well as better people.
Role Models and Sportsmanship
Watching sport has always provided children with heroes to look up to. But interestingly, research and experience suggest young athletes often gain more from role models they see regularly—like an older teammate in their club—than from distant superstars. They notice habits, work ethic, and mindset, then apply those lessons to their own routines.
Still, icons on TV or social media can inspire in powerful ways.
- Michael Jordan wasn’t just the most competitive player on the court—he showed humility in both victory and defeat. His Hall of Fame speech reminded young athletes that talent alone doesn’t cut it: “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall… figure out how to climb it.”
- Serena Williams has faced injuries, losses, and criticism, but her resilience and grace under pressure made her a global symbol of perseverance. She consistently gives credit to her opponents and uses her platform to promote equality.
- The New Zealand All Blacks rugby team embody humility through their tradition of “sweeping the sheds.” No matter how big the win, players clean their own locker room—a ritual that teaches respect and accountability.
These examples show that sportsmanship isn’t just about shaking hands at the end of a game.
It’s about respect, humility, and living by values that go beyond the scoreboard.
Help your children find relevant role models of their own, either from the world of sport or even closer to home.
Developing Critical Thinking
Watching sport isn’t just entertainment—it can sharpen the mind.
When your child watches a football or rugby game and questions a referee’s call, they’re practicing analysis. Was the foul intentional? Did the angle change the perception? That’s problem-solving in action.
Professional broadcasts also provide opportunities. Listen to Gary Neville breaking down defensive lines in Premier League coverage or Sue Barker dissecting strategy during Wimbledon. By engaging with commentary, kids can learn to question assumptions and explore alternative strategies.
Debating sport can also sharpen critical thinking. Whether it’s a family argument over VAR in football or friends debating whether Steph Curry is the best shooter in NBA history, these conversations teach kids to defend opinions and respect other viewpoints.
These are transferable skills: being able to evaluate, question, and problem-solve matters far beyond the playing field.
Enhancing Well-Being
Watching sport can boost both physical and mental well-being.
Physically, athletes often inspire kids to move. Usain Bolt’s record-breaking runs didn’t just electrify stadiums—they sent kids across the world sprinting in playgrounds, pretending to be the fastest human alive.
Mentally, sport provides a safe outlet for emotion. Fans ride waves of joy, frustration, and excitement, all while feeling part of a community. The England Women’s run to win the Rugby World Cup, the Lionesses bringing home Euro glory for the second time this last Summer and the Europeans coming home from the US with victory in the Ryder Cup.
Those experiences build connection and resilience.
Team sports also model collaboration.
Watching the NBA, the Golden State Warriors’ ball movement shows how selfless play creates success.
Seeing David Raya of Arsenal organise his defence teaches the value of communication under pressure. These lessons can stick.
Learning Emotional Regulation
Big games often come with big emotions—joy, frustration, anger, disappointment. Watching how athletes handle those moments can help teach our kid’s emotional control. Discussing these moments with them can act as a powerful conversation starter.
- Novak Djokovic has had highly public emotional outbursts, but he’s also spoken about channelling pressure into focus.
- In the NBA, Giannis Antetokounmpo went viral for calling losing “steps to success” after the Milwaukee Bucks’ playoff exit—an example of reframing disappointment in a healthy way.
We need to help our children to understand that it’s okay to feel emotions, but it’s also important to manage them constructively.
Appreciating Strategy and Planning
Sport isn’t just about athleticism—it’s also about tactics. Watching can teach kids the value of preparation and strategy.
- In the NFL, watching how coaches use timeouts or design plays in the final two minutes is a lesson in decision-making under pressure.
- In Formula 1, pit stop strategies can determine the race outcome, showing how teamwork and planning matter as much as individual talent.
This kind of observation can translate into academic problem-solving or even managing challenges in everyday life.
Can we provide opportunities to help our children gain a deeper understanding of the sports that they play?
Shortened clips are certainly helping with this and it is enjoyable talking with young athletes when they are analysing their performances and what they have seen.
Remember one of the traits of high performers is their ability to evaluate performance effectively, we can only help our young people do this if they are given space to talk and the tools to help them understand what they are seeing.
The Takeaway for Parents
Watching sport may look different today, but its lessons remain timeless.
Our children can still learn resilience from Serena, humility from the All Blacks, or decision-making from a Champions League final. But they’ll also learn from role models closer to home—a teammate who trains hard, or a coach who models respect.
So, encourage your child not only to play sport but to watch with purpose. Ask questions, discuss decisions, celebrate resilience, and highlight values you deem as important.
Because in the end, sport isn’t just about entertainment. It’s a classroom without walls—teaching values, sharpening minds, inspiring future high performers and setting up many for healthier, happier lives.
Dr. Abraham Twerski talks about responding to stress and fear using Lobsters as the theme. He tells us that the stimulus for them to be able to grow is to feel uncomfortable and that times of stress are also times that are signals for growth.
How do we help support our young athletes through stressful times?
Sports Parent Conversation Starters
Inspired by Dr. Abraham Twerski – (Stress, Discomfort, and the Power of Growth in Sport)
Understanding Growth Through Pressure
“The lobster feels uncomfortable in its shell. That pressure is the signal to grow.”
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“In your sport, what moments make you feel like the ‘lobster under pressure’?”
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“Can you think of a time when you felt uncomfortable or challenged — but came out stronger?”
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“How do you know when pressure is helping you grow versus when it’s becoming too much?”
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“What do you think your ‘new shell’ looks like after a tough season or challenge?”
Managing Stress Positively
“If lobsters had doctors, they’d never grow — they’d just get pills and stay the same size.”
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“When things get tough in sport, what’s your first reaction — do you push through or back off?”
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“How do you normally deal with stress around training or competition?”
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“What do you think helps you recover and reset after tough moments?”
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“What’s one stressful situation in sport that turned out to be a good thing in the end?”
Building Resilience & Confidence
“Times of stress are signals for growth.”
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“How can we remind ourselves that stress isn’t always bad — it can mean we’re growing?”
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“What helps you believe in yourself when you’re under pressure?”
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“What’s something you’ve learned about your own strength from sport?”
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“When you’ve failed or struggled, what did you discover about yourself?”
Supporting Each Other Through Growth
Growth takes discomfort — but it’s easier when you’re not alone.
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“How can I, as your parent, best support you when you’re going through a tough time?”
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“When do you want me to just listen instead of trying to fix things?”
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“Who else in your sport helps you through challenging periods?”
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“What could our family do to help you handle pressure more confidently?”
Perspective & Gratitude
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“Looking back, what challenges are you now thankful for?”
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“How might this idea of growth under pressure help you in life beyond sport?”
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“How do you think great athletes use tough moments to improve?”
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“If you could talk to a younger athlete, what would you tell them about facing pressure?”
Sports Parent Tips
Discomfort doesn’t mean something is wrong — it often means your child is in the middle of growth.
Your role is to normalise the feeling of challenge, not remove it.
Encourage reflection, reassure them they’re capable, and remind them: stress isn’t the enemy; it’s the signal.
]]>Not all technology is bad, lets be clear about that but there may be some negative aspects when it comes to performance…..
Conversation Starters for Sporting Parents
Inspired by Moby –(Exploring focus, balance, connection, and purpose in modern sport)
Focus & Attention
“Are we truly present in what we’re doing — or distracted by everything around us?”
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“In sport, what things take your attention away from performing your best?”
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“How does your phone or social media use affect your focus before or after training?”
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“What helps you feel most ‘in the moment’ when you play?”
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“Can you think of a time when being fully focused made a difference in your performance?”
Connection & Team Culture
The video shows people surrounded by others, but still feeling alone.
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“What makes you feel connected to your teammates?”
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“When have you seen people at training or games who seem ‘present physically but not mentally’?”
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“How do you think technology helps or hurts real team connection?”
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“What’s one way we could all help build a stronger sense of belonging in your team?”
Mental Health & Balance
Constant pressure and distraction can drain energy and joy — in life and in sport.
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“What parts of sport make you feel most stressed or overloaded?”
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“How do you find balance between training, school, friends, and downtime?”
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“What helps you recharge — mentally and physically?”
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“If you could design the perfect sporting week, what would it look like?”
Identity & Self-Worth
The video makes us question how much of ourselves we tie to external approval.
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“Do you ever feel pressure to post about your sport or performance online?”
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“How do you separate your identity from your results or what others say about you?”
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“What’s something about you as an athlete that social media can’t show?”
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“What makes you proud of yourself that has nothing to do with winning?”
Purpose & Values
Moby’s message reminds us to notice what really matters and act with awareness.
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“What do you think sport is really teaching you about life?”
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“How do your actions in sport reflect your values — teamwork, fairness, effort?”
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“What kind of athlete or person do you want to be remembered as?”
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“If you could send one message to other young athletes about balance, what would it be?”
Sports Parent Tips
Use these questions as open invitations to talk, not tests.
You do not need to ask them all in one sitting either, pick the ones that may be most relevant to you in your current situation.
Listen more than you speak and let your child’s reflections guide the conversation.
The goal isn’t to analyse performance — it’s to explore values, purpose, and joy in sport and getting them communicating.
]]>Jemima won two bronze medals in race walking at the Paris 2024 Olympics and had this to say post race.
This video is standing the test of time and I encourage sports parents to watch this video with all the budding young athletes in your life.
We often talk in sessions about finding stories and narratives that can help open up conversations particularly with teenagers and this could be one of those brilliant conversation starters for sporting parents.
Conversation Starters for Sports Parents
(Inspired by Jemima Montag’s Olympic reflections)
Community & Belonging
- “What does being part of a team mean to you?”
- “Who in your sport makes you feel like you belong?”
- “How do you think Jemima’s community helped her through tough moments?”
Dedication & Discipline
- “What do you think dedication looks like for you — at training, school, or home?”
- “When have you felt proud of sticking with something, even when it was hard?”
- “Jemima talked about commitment — how do you balance hard work with rest and fun?”
Leadership
- “What kind of teammate do you want to be?”
- “How do you show leadership, even if you’re not the captain?”
- “What leaders or teammates inspire you, and why?”
Friendship & Support
- “How do your friends in sport support you when things don’t go your way?”
- “What do you value most about your friendships in sport?”
- “Jemima mentioned friendship — how can friends make training or competition more enjoyable?”
The Bigger Picture
- “Jemima said sport teaches life lessons — what life lessons do you think you’re learning?”
- “If sport wasn’t about medals or wins, what would still make it worth doing?”
- “What do you think Jemima will remember most from her Olympic experience — the medals or the journey?”
Sports Parent Tips
Use these questions as open invitations to talk, not tests.
You do not need to ask them all in one sitting either, pick the ones that may be most relevant to you in your current situation.
Listen more than you speak and let your child’s reflections guide the conversation.
The goal isn’t to analyse performance — it’s to explore values, purpose, and joy in sport and getting them communicating.
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In this episode Founding Director ‘Red Star Education’ Kristen Cunliffe joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss Financial Fitness and how we can help our young athletes thrive with their finances. The recent BBC documentary ‘Football’s Financial Shame’ has brought the importance of this topic back into the limelight.
During the conversation they discuss amongst other things:
- Many athletes facing financial struggles due to poor advice, exploitation, and lack of early financial awareness.
- Documentaries ‘Football’s Financial Shame’ and earlier ‘Football’s Suicide Secret’ raised concerns about the long-term effects of poor financial decisions and predatory advisers
- The importance of education being independent, without commercial agendas or selling products, to maintain trust and integrity
- Challenges for young athletes with the pressure from expectations of peers, families, and sporting organisations, the fear of making financial mistakes and a lack of basic knowledge about taxes, budgeting and saving
- The importance of parents having open, honest, and sometimes uncomfortable conversations about money, learning together with their kids rather than pretending to know it all and modelling balanced spending and saving habits
- When speaking with advisors parents trusting their instincts whilst checking qualifications, experience, and fees and avoiding any snap decisions
- Allowing our young athletes to enjoy some of their earnings, but encourage habits of setting money aside for the future
Kristen Cunliffe is the Founder Director of Red Star Education, a company dedicated to giving young athletes the knowledge and confidence to make sound financial choices. With over 22 years’ experience as a multi-award-winning financial planner, independent financial educator and certified financial coach, Kristen combines expertise with a genuine passion for education. She is a strong advocate for keeping commercial partnerships out of player care, ensuring Red Star’s sessions are always focused on support, not sales.
]]>A huge amount of work has gone in behind the scenes to create a range of resources that will help support parents on their journey supporting their daughters.
All parents involved in the pathway will be given access to a customised website platform including all the exclusive content created here at WWPIS alongside specific content from the Lioness Player Pathway.
They will also be given a customised copy of ‘Sports Performance Parenting’ which will help to enhance the delivery of both live and virtual sessions that will be running across the age groups.
Live sessions get underway this month in Gloucester and York and we are very much looking forward to meeting over 100 parents across both the North and the South of the country.
CEO Gordon MacLelland said, ‘This is such an exciting project and I am delighted that we are working with the FA to offer support across the Lioness Player Pathway. We all need support in creating the best environments for our young people to thrive and this will add another strand to the outstanding work already taking place. We are committed to working alongside parents and harnessing feedback along the way to help make this the best and most impactful parent programme in women’s football in the world. This can only happen through collaboration, the sharing of ideas from multiple departments and an expertise in understanding the realities of being a sports parent in such a unique environment.’
Vicky Cheshire, Player Education & Lifestyle Lead (England Women’s Teams) at The Football Association, added ‘We’re excited to partner with WWPIS to build on the fantastic work across the Lioness Player Pathway. By collaborating, sharing ideas, and understanding the realities of being a sports parent, we’re providing an extra layer of support to help parents navigate and actively support their daughters’ football journey.’
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