City of Derby Swimming Club
Affiliated to ASA East Midland Region and Derbyshire ASA

The Role of Parents

The support of parents is vital to a swimmer's development and success in swimming. However, parents, in their enthusiasm for their child's success, should guard against exerting undue pressure on their child. Parents can make a positive contribution in the following ways: -

• Help create an environment within which your child's personal ambitions within swimming can flourish. Be positive! Congratulate success and provide support and sympathy when required.
  
  
• Be aware of your swimmer's goals. Learn something of the coaching schemes that the coaches are using in their efforts to achieve those goals.
  
  
• Encourage the setting of targets, each one a little beyond what currently seems attainable.
  
  
• Support your swimmers' coaches. Discuss any issues privately. Make positive suggestions rather than negative criticism.

Finally and most importantly:-

Always be Positive. Adopt an optimistic attitude towards your child's swimming achievements. Remember, swimmers don't fail on purpose, there is often a reason and there will always be a next time!