Pushy parents are biggest problem in sports performance', say psychologists

"the biggest problem in sports performance and it has been going on for years, said Stephen Smith, the chair of the British Psychological Society's sport and exercise psychology division. The level of abuse has only got worse. Behaviour has got worse. But it has been ignored and now we're trying to put the genie back in the bottle, both in terms of the way that parents are putting pressure on their children, and the impact of poor behaviour and abuse that's coming from the sidelines."

"Smith said intrusion from parents can make children freeze up because of the pressure and watching their parents shout abuse can have a hugely negative impact on a child. Dr Matthew Cunliffe, a consultant and sport and exercise psychologist at the University of Greenwich, said: There is definitely an element of unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of parents that we see quite regularly in sport these days."

Pushy, shouty parents are causing serious problems across youth sport, leading to bans at some primary schools and discouraging grassroots referees through sideline abuse. Parental intrusion and aggressive behaviour increase pressure on children, causing some to freeze and undermining their confidence and performance. Growing levels of abuse have escalated over recent years and have often been ignored until now. Consistent, responsive, warm and reliable parenting supports secure attachment and greater sporting confidence in children. Campaigns and signage at parks urge respect for referees and a focus on fun, but poor sideline conduct remains difficult to eradicate.

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