Sport Parents Research Articles

Sport parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic: Perceptions of parents and youth in Australia

Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on parental involvement in youth sport is largely unknown. The objective of the study presented in this paper was to understand parental involvement in relation to their child’s participation in organised sport during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using an interpretive descriptive methodology, online qualitative interviews and online focus groups with parents and youth (15–18 years) (n = 29) were conducted during June 2020. Following a rigorous reflexive thematic analysis, four themes illustrated the nature of sport parenting during this stressful and uncertain period: (a) reshaping sport parenting identity, (b) the unexpected growth of sport parenting responsibilities, (c) responding to children’s loss of sport, and (d) policies impact family commitment and attitudes to returning to sport. The findings are discussed considering Harwood and Knight’s (2015) postulates of parenting expertise in sport and offer potential ideas to better support parents and children situated in unexpectedly stressful situations.

Not your average sport parents: How sport scholars make decisions about their own children’s sport involvement

Every year, millions of parents are faced with decisions about their children’s sport involvement that may have profound impacts on psychosocial and developmental outcomes. Little is known about how parents make these decisions and what factors may be influencing them, although parents’ sport background and knowledge are likely important. Parents who are also active sport scholars with knowledge of the academic literature and policies pertaining to youth sport are well positioned to clarify and interpret their decision-making processes and influences related to their children’s sport involvement. In this study, we aimed to answer the question, “How do parents with academic expertise in sport make decisions about their children’s sport involvement?” We interviewed 11 faculty-researchers from within the United States and Canada, all of whom held doctorates in sport-related disciplines and had one or more children between the ages of 8–15 years involved in organized, competitive sport. Findings were analyzed through a process of content analysis, and results are represented by four main themes: (a) influencing factors, (b) encouraging sampling, (c) evaluating and modifying the sport environment, and (d) supporting autonomy. Our findings revealed far more complexity in the types of decisions to be made and the factors influencing them than is currently suggested by youth sport literature and policy documents. As well, participants demonstrated nuanced interpretations of commonly endorsed sport parenting practices and illuminated structural issues with youth sport policies, including a focus on individual athletes without consideration of siblings and the family unit as a whole.

Insight of previous parental sport engagement among competitive swimmers in Kenya

This study sought to establish the relationship between sport involvement of parents and children’s involvement in swimming. The study was descriptive and exploratory in nature. Former (N=148) and active swimmers (N=394) responded to the questions as to whether their parents were involved in any sport, and whether their parents supported their participation in competition. More parents of active swimmers (86.3%, N=340) participated in sports, compared to 64.9 % (N= 96) among former swimmers. Specifically, more fathers (75.1%, N=296) of active swimmers were involved in sports compared to mothers (45.9%, N=181). Among former swimmers, there was minimal difference between fathers (N=66) who participated in sports compared to mothers (N=64). Previous parental sporting involvement had significant influence on active swimmers at p= 0.001. Parents act as role models and pass on their beliefs, supporting their children in endeavors that they value.

Considering the cost(s) of the game: Consumer behavior and parents in youth ice hockey

Negative sport parent behavior continues to impede athletes, coaches, and program administrators from enjoying positive experiences within a variety of youth sport environments. In conjunction with this issue, the growing financial cost required to support youth sport participation has been identified as a source of stress for parents as well as a barrier preventing athletes from fully enjoying all that youth sports programming has to offer. As such, the purpose of the current study was to explore how sport parent perceptions and behaviors may be understood when examined through the conceptual lens of a framework originating within the consumer behavior literature. Using an established model of consumer decision-making to structure the project’s interview guide, 15 semi-structured interviews with Canadian ice hockey parents (seven “moms” and eight “dads”) were completed. Interview questions were constructed in hopes of exploring participants’ experiences as consumers of their children’s ice hockey programming. Following interview transcriptions, the completion of a thematic analysis suggested that ice hockey parents were influenced by a variety of external pressures to continue funding their children’s participation rather than their personal perceptions and assessments of program quality. As such, parents were observed to undertake a unique process of consumption—one wherein their purchasing behavior was best understood through the influences of their cultural world and social groups as well as their children’s potential attainment of non-sport-related outcomes (i.e., life skills, friendships) rather than their satisfaction with the youth ice hockey programming that they were a part of itself. Lay summary: Fifteen parents with children enrolled in youth ice hockey programming were interviewed regarding aspects of their behaviors as program consumers. Parents disclosed that, although ice hockey provided their families with a variety of benefits, they were (a) dissatisfied with the programming quality itself and (b) felt program improvements were unlikely. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Accounting for parental stress and frustration around their youth sports program purchases (i.e., satisfaction with their purchases) should be considered when creating strategies to combat negative parental behaviors. It may be useful for youth sports programs to implement more rigorous mechanisms for receiving and addressing feedback from parents. Adopting strategies from the consumer behavior literature (e.g., brand loyalty; consumer satisfaction) may be helpful to aid youth sport programmers to improve relationships with youth sport parents in the future.

Lessons from the Field. Development of a group intervention to promote need‐supportive sport parenting

AbstractObjectiveThis Lesson from the Field describes the development of a need‐supportive parenting intervention aimed at enhancing motivation and preventing burnout in youth athletes.BackgroundSelf‐determination theory posits that basic psychological needs (i.e., autonomy, competence, and relatedness) are essential for optimal motivation and performance in any context. However, research has shown that parents, a critical social agent, may thwart rather than support their children's psychological needs in competitive contexts such as sport. The development and implementation of need‐supportive sport parenting interventions are warranted.MethodWe reviewed and analyzed the components, including the content, frequency, and duration, of need‐supportive sport coaching interventions and parenting interventions in other domains (e.g., education). Based on the analysis, we constructed our intervention with a workbook to educate parents on (a) reducing athlete pressure, (b) providing choices within limits, (c) focusing on individual improvement, and (d) enhancing parent–child communication. We used gymnastics examples to illustrate these strategies.ConclusionThis article provides parent educators with a theoretically and empirically informed intervention to work with sport parents. The proposed benefits of the program may extend beyond athlete motivation and burnout prevention to better parent–child relationships and psychological need satisfaction of both the parent and the child.

Part of the Team: The Social Identity Questionnaire for Sport Parents (SIQS-P)

ABSTRACT Drawing from theory of the multidimensional nature of social identity, the purpose of this study was to assess an adapted measure of social identity in sport that captures the extent to which parents identify with their child’s team. Using the Social Identity Questionnaire for Sport (SIQS) with items specifically modified for parents, we assessed competitive youth sport parents’ perceptions of ingroup ties, cognitive centrality, and ingroup affect. Using an exploratory and confirmatory analysis process, a conceptually grounded three-factor structure was supported in a sample of 788 ice hockey parents. Measurement invariance testing found strong invariance for the measurement tool based on participants’ biological sex, previous sport experience, and proximal competition outcome. Finally, differences emerged when comparing latent means across their child’s most recent game outcome. Taken together, this study offers a novel tool to better understand and measure perceptions of social identity among sport parents.

Write It Out: Examining Recreational Youth Sport Parent Emotions Through an Expressive Writing Exercise

Youth sport parents experience an array of emotions as part of their child’s youth sport experience. This may include emotions related to watching their child play, supporting their child’s emotions, or simply related to daily parenting responsibilities. This research examined youth sport parent emotions through an expressive writing exercise. Twelve parents completed a total of 32 expressive writing exercises. In each exercise, parents were asked to write about their emotions as a youth sport parent. Quantitative analysis with Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC; Pennebaker et al., 2015) software and qualitative thematic analysis were employed to analyze writings. Results indicate that though parents experienced both positive and negative emotions, negative emotions were most common and salient. Thematic analysis resulted in six themes, including one theme related to positive emotions (happiness for child experience), and five themes related to negative emotions: 1) general stress and negativity, 2) responsibilities, 3) role as parent, 4) coach, and 5) performance. Results also lead to practical implications for park and recreation administrators. First, as substantial stress is related to the time and financial responsibilities associated with sport parenting, organizations may wish to seek ways to support parents including through scholarship funds, and facilitating communication and duty sharing among parents. Parent education programs may also be a way to help parents navigate their own emotions related to parenting roles. Coaches were also a source of negative emotions for parents, though not always for the same reasons. Youth sport organizations can facilitate coach-parent communication to ensure that parent-coach goals are aligned, and provide training for coaches in both sport-specific skills and positive youth development. In addition to facilitating coach-parent communication, organizations may also encourage child-parent communication related to goals. This could include email communications with exercises designed to encourage specific conversations about goals of youth sport participation. Each of these implications is tied directly to negative emotions expressed by parents as part of this research. Assisting parents with these emotions will improve the experience for both the parent and will likely enable the youth participant to have a more positive experience as well.

Parents’ experiences of family food routines in adolescent elite-level swimming

ObjectiveParents have an important role in their child’s food routines and eating behaviour and face additional demands when that child is an athlete. Yet little is known about how parents manage providing food for their athletic child, in addition to the wider family, within the context of elite-level youth sport. MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with sixteen parents (mothers = 11; fathers = 5) of elite level adolescent swimmers (i.e., competing at UK national level or above; child mean age = 15.4 years) to explore their experiences of family food routines and eating behaviour. Reflexive Thematic Analysis was used to analyse the data. ResultsParents outlined the importance of ‘optimal’ fuelling for their athletic child. Parents had an active role in their child’s eating behaviour and shaping their food choices but expressed uncertainty regarding the volume of food their child should consume and concerns regarding their child’s future relationship with food. Meticulous organisational and logistical strategies were employed to meet the extensive food requirements of their adolescent elite swimmer in the face of intensive training schedules. Such schedules also impacted food routines for the wider family (i.e., fewer family mealtimes), and on the quality of parents’ own diets. ConclusionThe findings highlight that clearer guidance is needed for parents of elite adolescent swimmers in relation to quantities of food intake and how to support a positive future relationship with food (specifically during any periods of transition in their training or out of the sport). The findings also identify a novel organisational stressor for parents in elite youth sport, in managing and prioritising their own diet. Further research is needed to explore the extent to which parental diet may be impacted by supporting an adolescent athlete.

King Richard (2021)

<i>King Richard</i> (2021)

Parental strategies for supporting children’s psychosocial development within and beyond elite sport

There remains limited research into the role that parents play to support their child’s psychosocial development within elite youth sport contexts. The present study was conducted in an English professional youth football (soccer) academy that has intentionally integrated the 5Cs framework (Harwood; commitment, communication, concentration, control, confidence) into its player development process. The purpose of the study was to explore parents’ interpretations of their roles and experiences of supporting young athletes’ psychosocial development in this context. Six focus groups were conducted with 30 parents (17 fathers, 13 mothers; M age = 44.8) who had a child in the foundation (8–11 years) or youth development phase (12–16 years). The transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Parental strategies employed to support their child’s 5Cs within and beyond the academy included providing encouragement and tailoring feedback, establishing and sharing expectations with their child, creating an autonomy-supportive environment, encouraging participation in activities outside of the academy, and understanding football and the nature of the academy. Barriers perceived as hindering parents’ support reflected the salience of coach-parent communication at the academy. Accompanying recommendations and implications are discussed for enabling improved congruency between coaches and parents, and how parent education can be better tailored to support intentional psychosocial development within elite youth sport pathways. Lay summary: Conducted at a professional football academy that has integrated a psychosocial framework into the player development process, this study explored parents’ interpretations of their roles and experiences of supporting young athletes’ psychosocial development. Parents discussed practical strategies, barriers, and recommendations to support their child’s development in and beyond sport. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Parents can support young athletes’ psychosocial development by considering the broader contexts in which they occupy, including how they communicate at home, how they control their emotions within their sport programs, and how they demonstrate commitment at school. When parents employ an intentional approach to supporting psychosocial development, young athletes may become more aware of the possibilities for transferring their psychosocial skills beyond football, or their immediate sport context. Strengthening the communication between parents and coaches within a sport program, and the education offered to parents and coaches, can help sport parents better support their child’s psychosocial development within and beyond the sport program. Engagement with a parent 5C program can provide parents with a meaningful return on their time in academy football to not only support their child but to help them navigate the known demands of being a parent in an elite youth sport environment.

Youth sport parents’ familiarity and perceptions of concussion legislation

Objectives In an effort to reduce the negative health consequences often associated with concussions among young athletes, all U.S. states and the District of Columbia enacted youth concussion legislation between 2009 and 2014. This study explored youth sport parents’ (1) familiarity with their state's concussion legislation, and (2) perceptions about the need for additional legislative provisions not currently found in such laws. Methods Cross-sectional online survey data were obtained from parents ( n = 430) of youth sport athletes from 22 U.S states. Results Primary findings suggest that 67% of parents were moderately to extremely familiar with the removal from play requirement; 69.9% were moderately to extremely familiar with mandatory concussion training for coaches; and 75.1% were moderately to extremely familiar with the medical clearance requirement for athletes to return to play. In regard to perceptions, approximately half (50.2%) believed it is essential to mandate parent/guardian notification when a child suffers a potential concussion; and 42.8% believed it is essential to include a penalty/sanction for violating the statute. Based on the results of a multivariable logistic regression model, a significantly greater familiarity of concussion legislation was found among parents who were White/Caucasian, had advanced degrees, had higher household incomes, or were urban residents. Conclusions Our findings suggest that most youth sport parents have a sound understanding of concussion legislation and believe that the laws should be revised to improve best practices in preventing and managing concussions. Parents who face socio-cultural and economic barriers can benefit most from having access to credible information about their state's concussion law.

Povezanost vere i navika učenika sa pojedinim parametrima i učešćem u dodatnim fizičkim aktivnostima nakon škole - pilot istraživanje

School-age children are recommended to participate in physical activities for at least 60 minutes daily. It is considered that half of that time should be used for physical activities at school where children spend a lot of time. It has been emphasized that motivation for active participation in physical education decreases during schooling. Family habits are considered to be very important and have an impact on the active participation of a child in physical education as well as in all other forms of physical activity. The aim of the present pilot research was to indicate the possible relationship between variables that have an impact on students' motivation (BMI, physical exercise motivation, healthy habits concerning healthy diet and sleeping, parental sports habits, family beliefs and devotion or child's acquired internal beliefs) and their active participation in any of extracurricular sport activities. The survey of parents (N = 12) whose children are at primary school was conducted. It was found that children (aged 7-14) have optimal BMI values (16.3 kg / m2). It also showed that each child is involved in some sport activity. It was estimated that every child takes enough fruit/vegetables per day, as well as sweets. Children sleep enough (9 hours a day). When asked about faith (belief), the parents referred to faith in "God" or belief in "Self". It can be concluded that there is very little interest in free sport activities. At the same time, the parents prefer sport activites organized outside the school.

Parental perceptions of the impact of COVID-19 and returning to play based on level of sport

This study examined the impact of COVID-19 on youth sport parents based on competition level to understand how the pandemic affected youth sport and factors associated with youth returning to sport. Survey data were collected from samples of US sport parents in two waves - early in the pandemic (N = 751) and as programs began to resume (N = 707). Data showed elite sport parents were more willing to return. Although most participants returned to play, significant numbers had not resumed participation. Parent comfort was the most important factor associated with resuming. However, parents allowed children to resume play due to perceived external pressure, potentially creating stress among parents regarding sport participation decisions. Attending school in person and household income were associated with the ability to resume sport suggesting the need to provide school sport environments and consider the financial impacts of COVID-19 on sport families.

Proceed With Caution: A Teaching Case Study of Youth Sport Specialization

As sport specialization continues to shape the youth sport landscape, it is critical for sport management professionals, coaches, parents, and athletes to understand how this trend affects programming and policy development. While youth sport specialization often leads to increased athletic skill in an accelerated time frame, specialization can result in overuse injury, burnout, and delayed social development for children. It is essential that sport management students are aware of the trend in youth sport specialization and the various opportunities available to help educate/collaborate with stakeholders. Furthermore, students need to be exposed to youth sport specialization to better understand how to efficiently manage policy and programs involved in youth, and to understand contemporary research and theory leading to best practices.

Towards an understanding of family travel decision-making processes in the context of youth sport tourism

Youth sport tourism has grown into a distinct travel segment over the past decade. While communities have invested in sport tourism initiatives, building dedicated sports facilities and competing to host tournaments, little academic attention has been paid to understanding the travel planning and decision-making associated with youth sport families. Utilising an inductive approach, the purpose of this study was to examine the processes and decisions parents make in the context of youth sport tourism to facilitate their children's travel sport participation. In-depth interviews were conducted with youth sport parents from the two US states with significant investments in sport tourism: Indiana and Florida. ( n = 15 FL; n = 18 IN). Three themes were identified in the parents' narratives using grounded theory methods, (1) Travel Logistics, (2) Flow-on Tourism, and (3) Tourn-acations. Travel logistics were dominated by decisions over accommodations and transportation with price and team bonding of consideration. A series of barriers and enablers to participation in flow-on tourism were identified including tournament schedules and proximity to tourist attractions. Decisions to create a mini-vacation out of the tournament trip (tourn-acation) were associated with novelty, distance from home, and timing such as tournaments scheduled around national holidays. A model outlining the family travel decision-making process in the context of youth sport tourism is proffered. Recommendations for DMOs leveraging the flow-on tourism associated with youth sport-events are discussed in addition to acknowledging the role of youth sport tourism in post Covid-19 tourism recovery. • Youth sport tourism family travel decision-making model is proposed. • Price and a desire to be with the team shapes decisions over travel logistics. • Flow-on tourism barriers and enablers identified. • Novelty, distance from home, and timing shape tourn-acation propensity.

Middle School Sport Parents’ Reported Norms Concerning Youth Athlete Concussion Care-seeking And Playing Behaviors: Implications For Concussion Prevention

Understanding parental norms concerning youth athlete care-seeking and playing behaviors can inform concussion prevention interventions. PURPOSE: 1) Examine youth sport parents’ reported norms for athlete care-seeking and playing behaviors; 2) Compare norms by parent sex. METHODS: Parents of youth sport athletes (n = 796; mean age = 40 ± 10 years) from a United States-based, national sample pool completed a cross-sectional questionnaire on concussion-related perceived norms around youth athlete concussion care-seeking and playing behaviors. The exploratory variable was parent sex. Main outcomes included parental indication of ever witnessing a youth athlete: 1) tell an adult he/she may have a concussion; and 2) engage in playing behaviors to reduce head impact. Also, 5-point Likert scales assessed parent approval for: 1) praising, 2) looking down upon (discounting), and 3) saying/doing nothing when these two types of events occurred. Chi-square and Wilcoxon Rank-Sum tests compared sex differences. RESULTS: Most respondents were women (60%) and White/non-Hispanic (52%). Children of participating parents commonly played basketball (46%), soccer (36%), baseball (29%), and football (20%). Overall, 31% of parents reported a concussion history and 23% reported child concussion history. Higher proportions of men reported witnessing a youth athlete tell an adult he/she may have a concussion (men: 40% vs. women: 27%, P < 0.001). No sex difference was found for witnessing a youth athlete engage in playing behaviors to reduce head impact (men: 42% vs. women: 36%, P = 0.07). Wilcoxon-Rank sum tests indicated sex differences in approval for discounting athletes for self-reporting potential concussions [men Median (interquartile range): 3 (2-5) vs. women: 4 (3-5), P < 0.001] and athletes engaging in possible head impact reducing playing behaviors [men: 3 (2-5) vs. women: 4 (3-5), P < 0.001]. Higher approval in men was found for not saying anything when these events occurred (P < 0.005). No sex differences were found for praising athletes. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate male parents more often approved of behaviors that negatively impact concussion care-seeking behaviors and outcomes. Sex-specific approaches for interventions for youth sport parents may be appropriate.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs of Parents of Youth Basketball Players Regarding Sport Specialization and College Scholarship Availability.

Background:Previous surveys of youth sport parents have revealed that while parents believe early sport specialization is beneficial for improving sport ability, they also overestimate their child’s chances of receiving a college scholarship.Purpose:To (1) describe knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of parents of youth basketball players regarding sport specialization and college scholarships and (2) examine potential differences in child basketball participation characteristics based on parent income.Study Design:Cross-sectional study.Methods:A total of 805 parents (mean age, 39.9 ± 7.1 years; 353 female [43.9%]) of youth basketball players (mean age, 12.9 ± 2.5 years; 241 female [29.9%]) were recruited via Qualtrics Online Panels to complete an anonymous online questionnaire. Participants were required to be a parent of a child between 8 and 18 years of age who participated in organized youth basketball (ie, school, club, or recreational/local league). Participants were recruited to be nationally representative with regard to race/ethnicity (White, 62.7%; Hispanic/Latino of any race, 15.3%; African American/Black, 13.3%; Asian, 4.6%; ≥2 races, 2.9%; American Indian/Alaskan Native, 1.1%; Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander, 0.1%). The questionnaire was adapted from previous research on parent knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs and consisted of 3 sections: (1) parent and child characteristics; (2) child basketball participation information (months per year of basketball participation, sport specialization status, receiving private coaching, traveling regularly for basketball competitions, participating on multiple teams at the same time); and (3) parent attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge regarding sport specialization and college basketball scholarships.Results:Most parents believed specialization increased their child’s chances of making a high school (71.4%) or college team (69.7%). Parents underestimated the availability of college basketball scholarships at the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I and II levels (8.9 ± 5.1 vs reality of 13-15 per team) but overestimated availability at the Division III level (8.6 ± 5.7 vs reality of 0 per team). High-income parents spent significantly more money ($4748 USD [$1214-$10,246]) than middle-income ($2250 USD [$727-$5079]; P < .001) and low-income ($1043 USD [$368-$2444]; P < .001) parents.Conclusion:Parents believed specialization was important for sport success, but they underestimated college scholarship availability at the NCAA Division I and II levels while overestimating scholarship availability at the Division III level.

Adolescent athletes' physical self-concept mediates the relationship between parental expectations and athletes' sports achievement

We examined the relationships between parental expectations and the physical self-concept and sports achievement of their adolescent children, and investigated the mediating role of the adolescent athletes' physical self-concept in the relationship between parental expectations and adolescents' sports achievement. A survey was conducted with 385 junior high school students taking physical education classes in Taiwan. The results show that parental expectations had a positive effect on adolescents' physical self-concept, and that adolescents' physical selfconcept had a positive effect on their sports achievement. In addition, the results revealed a full mediating effect, indicating that higher expectations by parents that their children would get high scores and perform better improved adolescents' physical self-concept, which, in turn, positively influenced their sports achievement. Our findings confirm the importance of parental expectations for the sports achievement of adolescents, and highlight the importance of individual physical self-concept for the achievement of adolescent athletes.

EXPLORING PARENT-ATHLETE DYADS’ PERCEPTIONS OF SPORTS SPECIALIZATION AND SPORT EXPERIENCES IN AN EARLY YOUTH COMMUNITY-BASED SPORT PROGRAM

Background:Early, intensive sports specialization has been positioned as a potentially harmful pattern of participation for developing youth athletes; however, it remains largely unknown how youth sport families decide if and when an athlete will specialize. Areas lacking in the literature include exploration of the prevalence of specialization for elementary-school-aged athletes and in the community-based recreational context, current and prospective experiences of sport families, and comparisons between stakeholder groups regarding their perceptions of sport specialization.Purpose:To explore and compare early youth sport parent-athlete dyads’ perceived sport participation characteristics, attitudes, and experiences related to youth sport specialization.Methods:Youth sport parents and athletes completed a sport participation survey designed to examine 1) Demographic characteristics of the youth sport family and their context; 2) Characteristics of the youth athlete’s current (ie, degree of specialization) and planned sport participation pathway (ie, if and when they plan to specialize); 3) Perceptions of the athletes’ sport experience, with an emphasis on sport specialization. Descriptive analyses were conducted for demographic and sport participation characteristics, and paired-samples t-tests were conducted to compare sport-related attitudes and perceptions of sport specialization in matched parent-athlete dyads (p≤.05).Results:Ninety-six total participants (48 parent-athlete dyads; 66.7% of athletes (n=32) were male) from a single community-based early youth sport program completed the sport participation survey. 85.4% (n=72) of total participants rated the athlete’s current degree of specialization as low or not at all, though participants more commonly anticipated specializing in middle school (48.9%; n=44) and high school (52.2%; n=47). In comparing the parent-athlete dyads, these groups did not significantly differ in their perceptions of sport specialization, perceived pathway enjoyment, or their plans to specialize in the future. However, athletes were significantly more likely to identify as currently specialized (p<.01), perceive a higher degree of current specialization (p=.047), and rate themselves as more burned out (p<.01) than their parents.Conclusion:These findings indicate that parents and athletes generally possess similar attitudes toward sport specialization and perceptions of athletes’ sport experiences during their early youth participation. While youth sport families are not commonly engaging in specialization during these elementary school years, many plan an eventual sport pathway for their athlete that involves specializing in a main sport. Lastly, it appears that even at an early age, athletes may perceive their sport experience as more specialized and more taxing than their parents, highlighting the need for open communication and understanding within these dyads.Tables:

Tata trusts: positively and sustainably contributing to the development of sport in India

Learning outcomes The learning outcomes are to sensitise with the cause of sport development in India; to familiarize with the concepts of SDGs and sport development continuum in context of the Tata Trusts work in sports (Sports Portfolio); to relate strategy concepts of resources, SWOT analysis, cooperative implications, Carroll's CSR pyramid and Porter-Kramer strategic corporate social performance and shared value framework of inside-out and outside-in linkages with the Sports Portfolio strategy at the Tata Trusts; and to link sport development concepts like sport and development, sports development continuum and capacity building with the Sports Portfolio work at the Tata Trusts. Case overview/synopsis The case explores the sport and development issues faced by Ms Neelam Babardesai, Head of Sports Portfolio, Tata Trusts in Mumbai, India. The Trusts had a long history of contributing to the development of sport in India and looked forward to aligning their work in the sport with the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs). They started Sports Portfolio in 2016–2017 intending to complement their work in education and generate positive socio-economic change at the grassroots (local community) level in India. They also had the resources to implement the programmes. However, they were faced with issues like the deficiency of physical literacy in schools resulting in the disinterest of children and parents in sport and physical activity, which also might lead to health issues, later in life, minimal cooperation between entities involved with sport and development, lack of structured sports programmes and skilled human resources and the national sports policy needing better details and implementation and follow-up plans in India. Their strategic response was based on the use of a “sports development pyramid”, capacity building, alignment with the SDGs and complementary partnerships and collaborations. What were the outcomes? Should they continue with the same strategic approach? What should be their future course of action for sport and development? How should they respond to the COVID-19 crisis? Ms Babardesai reflected upon the above questions while concluding that India needed a long-term strategy for the development of sport. Complexity Academic Level The case is intended to be taught in the class of strategic management for postgraduate or master's level participants of business administration for concepts like resources, SWOT analysis, cooperative implications, corporate social responsibility (CSR), shared value and introducing the concept of the UN SDGs (SDGs), capacity building and sports development continuum (sports development domain) in context of the Indian sports scenario. The case should be equally useful in teaching relevant courses related to sports management and development. It may also be used for courses related to development studies and sustainability at the master’s level. The case may also be used by practitioners and researchers associated with sport and development/sports development and SDGs. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 11: Strategy