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THE GOLD MEDAL ZONE
with Olympic and World Champion Coach Mark Sutherland
Anchor 8
"If you are the parent of a young talented athlete, the right time to develop mental skills is right now. Learning the right mental skills early on gives them a significant competitive advantage ."
PARENTS
Having a talented athlete(s) in the family can be both exciting and challenging in many ways.
A common thing that happens is the parent child relationship and the sibling relationships can be tested and stressed. A family can be consumed by training time tables, sporting events, travel and financial pressure.
On top of this there are school and work responsibilities to manage. For some athletes there are part-time jobs to create some personal income and help out financially.
I have helped families whether they are a couple or mum, dad and three kids to understand the mind-set of an athlete, and how to react to the highs and lows of results and training sessions, the tiredness and constant need for fuel. Time management and organisation is key to maintaining a functional household.
Young athletes in particular can get irritable and sometimes just obnoxious and a real pain in the arse.
I work with them to help them understand how they can be a part of positive family dynamic. I help them to manage themselves and show them the skills they will need when they hit the road competing around the country and the world.
I also impress on them that Mum and Dad are not only parents, they are sponsors, taxi drivers, cheer leaders, shoulders to cry on and people who love them dearly and only wants what's best for them. As parents they are also on a learning curve and need to be respected.
The skills the athlete and the family learn early on can have a significant impact on family life and sporting results.
IMPORTANT TOP TIPS TO CONSIDER
1
1. Sport does not define who the young or older athlete is... who they are defines how they manage and compete in sport. Sport is a big part of their life but needs to be balanced with other aspects of life.
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2. After a game or event - when they get off the bus or plane - greet them with a kiss and a hug. Then your first question should be "how was the trip and how are you?" I learnt this from my father- he would always do this - I was always more important than the results.
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3. With cell phones we are in touch constantly. Listen more than talk when your young athlete calls home. Of course you should congratulate them if they have done well. Make sure to update them on their brothers and sisters activities and other family stuff. This keeps thing normalised.
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4. Your athlete has a special talent that needs nurturing, so accept upfront that timetables, nutrition, school work, friendships, sleep and social life will change for them and you for a good period of time.
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