Enjoying the Beautiful Game Education News from Alleyn's | www.alleyns.org.uk “When a child first sees a ball, they see a toy that moves, then an adult comes along and tells them not to keep it for too long or to get rid of it!” s the football season beckons, Kevin Molloy, Director Sport and Head of Football of Alleyn’s Junior School, suggests how we can support our children from the touchline.We all want our children to do well and football can mean so much to so many. Here’s how we can increase our children’s enjoyment and develop their confidence in their abilities effectively (despite the sporting emotions some of us may feel!).
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Find the right environment You can be a great influence from the touchline, but if the coach or teammates are not then your child’s enjoyment and development could be affected. Ensure the organisation your child plays with has the FA charter standard and that the coaches are suitably qualified. Most importantly, trust your instincts; is the atmosphere one you wish your daughter or son to spend time in?
Be consistent It is natural to be excited when your child does well but don’t overdo it! If they perceive you to be overly invested in their success, whether you are or not, they may begin to fear letting you down. Your child needs to know that however they play, your feelings for them will not change.
Celebrate the process Your child can play and behave very well and still lose the match. They can also play and behave poorly and win. Celebrate their individual effort, contribution and progress rather than the actual scorelines.
Let the coach work You are entitled to your opinion – just keep it to yourself during the game! A decent coach will likely have more than the score in mind, including pastoral factors that impact the roles they allocate to children on the day. Trust that they are doing the best for every player, and engage in constructive conversations or work through appropriate channels if you feel there is a problem. 20 | SE22 - August 2022
Be positive! Applaud and encourage good play and attitude (from both teams) and offer consolation and support in adversity. The same goes for the officials – let them do their job, we have no game without them – and you will also be setting a great example to your child!
Challenge privately and respectfully If a child is in immediate risk of harm then it is appropriate to challenge a decision – otherwise avoid confrontation or overt criticism during or immediately after the game. Most coaches will be open to constructive, respectful conversations away from a game day.
Let your child own it! Everything above can be summed up here: find the right place, somewhere your child can flourish on and off the pitch and then let them get on with it. Make sure they know you care and that you are there for them but allow them to feel the ups and the downs - ultimately, it is their game and their personal development!
Useful links • TheFA.com • englandfootball.com/play/youth-football
