For many youth sports professionals, managing your parents is the least exciting part of your job, but is necessary. Parents are your decision makers so to ensure the growth and success of your program, parents need to be happy as well. The vast majority of your parents will be great, but there will always be some that need more of your attention than others. It’s important that you start a dialogue with them early in the process and make sure they have everything they need in regards to your program. Here are eight strategies to effectively manage your youth sports parents:
- Set Clear Expectations: Hold a pre-season orientation, provide a code of conduct, and have your policies and procedures available and easily accessible. There will be many things you will need to pass on to parents before the season starts but some of the main things you should focus on are sportsmanship and game day expectations, playing time, program goals, supporting the volunteer coaches, and communication channels.
- Communicate: The best thing you can do at a bare minimum for your parents is be a great communicator. Great communication will make sure parents are always in the loop and have all the information they need for their child to participate in your sports program. It will also significantly reduce questions and complaints. The main reason a parent would ask a question or complain was they just don’t know, were surprised by a decision or not expecting something. If you find you get a ton of the same types of questions from parents and regularly get complaints during the season, then chances are you are not communicating effectively.
- Provide Structure and Organization: Have all your schedules, policies and procedures, etc. readily available, easily accessible, and out to parents as early as possible at the point of registration or very soon after. If you are very structured and organized as well as communicate, you will not only give a great first impression but greatly reduce any parent issues during the season. Many of the information you send out during the season is filtered through your coaches, however sending communications directly to parents on league wide updates is important as well.
- Listen and Be Responsive: If an incident, concern, or complaint does come up address it immediately. Do not ignore it or let it sit. If that happens, chances are it will build up and be much worse by the time you get to it. Listen to what they have to say, address the issue immediately and provide resolution as soon as possible. If the result of the issue is an opportunity to improve your program, take the initiative to do so to avoid it happening again.
- Build Trust: If parents trust you, your staff, and your volunteers, they are much less likely to complain or cause issues. Along with being organized and a great communicator, meet and talk to parents, get to know their names, and start dialogues with them as early as registration so by the time the season starts they are comfortable, trust you, and start off on a high note right off the bat.
- Be Positive: Staying positive at all times around your participants, will go a long way in creating a great culture within your program. Your parents will be able to feel if there is a good vibe from the moment they walk in if everyone is nice and positive at all times. Negativity is a virus that will spread throughout the program and if it radiates to kids, coaches, and parents, they are more likely to complain or not enjoy your program as much as they could.
- Involve Parents: Most all of your coaches will be parents. However, most parents will not commit to coach. Find other ways to get them involved so they see your program from a different perspective on the operations side. You can do things such as using parents to scorekeep, give them positions like line judging or base coaching, or have them help run concessions, team snacks, etc. Getting them involved in the program helps build trust and create the buy in you need to foster a positive culture.
- Check In and Get Feedback: As you are talking to parents throughout the course of the season, make sure to check in with them to see how their kids are enjoying your program as well as if they need anything from you or want to give any feedback. Parents appreciate when they can give their opinion or feedback on things that may be able to be improved from their point of view. At the end of the season always send out a survey as you conduct your post season evaluation.
Â
Effectively managing youth sports parents requires clear communication, education, and firm yet fair enforcement of rules. By setting expectations early, fostering a culture of respect, and involving parents in a positive way, leagues can create a supportive environment that benefits young athletes. When parents, coaches, and league officials work together, the focus remains on what truly matters—helping kids develop skills, confidence, and a love for the game. The positive word of mouth you will receive from effectively managing your parents to others will be invaluable in growing your program moving forward.
