How to communicate and improve relationships with parents

Remind them football is a learning environment

It’s important to empathise with parents – they want what’s best for their child and are eager to see them play. They care. But it’s about channelling that care to provide the right environment. This goes a long way to helping players have a lifelong love of football. 

Remind them that, like school, football is a learning environment. So, they need to review how they act and behave on matchday. After all, how will their child learn and have fun if they’re being shouted at for making a mistake? How are they developing if they have instructions constantly barked at them? Like in school, they need encouragement and time to work things out. Parents have a big part to play in that approach. 

Show appreciation and create an understanding

The more you can engage and involve parents, the stronger you make the team. Yet, it’s probably a utopia that each kid has a parent or carer staying for every game and training session. Especially if you’re working with older age groups. 

So, if you can, bring them onside by having an end-of-season event where you invite the parents in. You can tell them what their child has achieved during the year. And it’s a chance to show appreciation for them paying fees, getting their child ready, and bringing them every week. But it’s also an opportunity to say that you hope they appreciate what you’re providing. As a coach, you create a safe, positive and inclusive environment for them to have fun, make friends and be active. Plus, you’re giving them a platform to develop as a person and a player. If delivered right, this conversation can help create respect and understanding.