Angry Parents

Parents play an invaluable role in club and community sports. Occasionally, however, some become over emotional, verbally abusive and sometimes even physically aggressive. It’s important that the inappropriate actions of a few parents don’t ruin the sporting experience for everyone else.

Information to help you understand the issue

Ugly parents:

• sometimes use foul language make threatening gestures and remarks directed at the coach, umpire or other team
• have a win at all costs mentality
• are likely to ‘coach’ and ‘referee’ from the sidelines and concentrate on faults and failings rather than successes
• diminish everyone’s enjoyment of the game.

Inappropriate behaviour by parents can result in:

• children withdrawing from sport
• reduced membership
• fewer people willing to volunteer for coaching and official positions; and/or
• an increased risk of legal action.

This section contains information for:

• Administrators
• Coaches
• Officials
• Players
• Parents