Parents get a lesson in coaching at Eastwood Park
PARENTS had the chance to quiz leading sports coaches as they had a lesson in being more positive.
A group of more than 200 parents and local coaches attended a Question of Sport style forum at Eastwood park theatre.
Tennis coach Judy Murray, scottishathletics performance coach Laurier Primeau, former Scottish rugby internationalist Sir Bill Gammell, SFA's director of football development Jim Fleeting and Louise Martin CBE, chair of sportscotland were there to answer their questions.
East Renfrewshire is one of five Positive Coaching pilot areas in Scotland and Thursday evening's event was a chance to challenge parents on their own attitude to sports – and to winning.
The programme hopes to tackle the estimated 70 per cent drop out rate from sports before children reach 16 – and the alarming statistic that around 20% of children (aged five to six) are overweight or obese.
Former British athletics coach Tommy Boyle is leading the campaign, funded by Winning Scotland foundation and the Wood family trust.
He told The Extra: "Enjoyment should be the first thing for children taking part in sports.
"We should be training them to play properly, be good team workers, helping them to improve by trying harder and practicing, and building their self-confidence – all skills they can use in life.
"But sadly right now, a lot of kids don't have any fun doing sport. They have bad experiences which puts them off.
"Too few parents encourage their children to get active and still too many shout, bawl and cling to the belief that winning is the most important thing on the sports field".
After a lively discussion, parents and local coaches were invited to a workshop with Tommy – and a further session ran at Woodfarm high on Saturday.
He added: "Positive coaching is about changing the mindset we have in Scotland which is, win at all costs.
"We need to change the way people think about winning. It's not just about being number one. If you look at the dictionary definition, it's actually achieving success through effort – we need to bring that meaning back".
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Weather for Glasgow
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
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Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
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