PARENT BEST PRACTICES

Parents can play many roles in a sport: current or former athlete, coach, fan, motivator, role model, or critic. In fact, many studies show that family members strongly influence an athlete’s involvement and achievement in a sport more than coaches.

At Richmond Hill Soccer Club, we want every family’s experience to be as positive as possible. Here are some helpful tips from our staff:

* Arrive to practice and games 5-10 minutes earlier than the arrival time to help your player get in the right mindset. We understand, being late happens.
   If so, please alert your coach and make sure your player is ready to go when you arrive. 
* Encourage your player(s) to have a positive attitude, effort, and behavior towards their teammates, coaches, and opponents.
* Double check that your player(s) have all of their necessary equipment (water, inflated ball, shin guards, alternate uniform-if necessary).
* As a parent, focus on the benefits of the game, rather than the score. We believe it is counterproductive to relate our players experiences to the result of
   a game. Instead, ask your player(s) what they thought went well during the game and any areas they would like to work on for next time. Tip: It’s even
   better if you practice a move with your player.