Red Dot Parenting: How to help your kids reach their sporting potential

It’s not easy being a parent of sporty kids. On an almost daily basis kids go through ups and downs in training and competition and as a parent, it can be challenging to know how to help - ‘I wasn’t selected again, mum, and I’m not sure I want to play anymore.’

In Red Dot Parenting, former Scotland rugby star and Institute of Sport mentor, Tony Stanger, shows parents what they can do to help when these moments happen. Parents are NOT the coach. But they do have a crucial role in supporting their child’s sporting education. Stanger draws on years of experience as an elite athlete, talent systems expert and father of three sporty kids. He is passionate about helping parents to better understand their role in supporting their children to reach their sporting potential.

This is a book for parents of kids at any level who love sport and want to get as much out of it as they can. Parents will learn the danger of young people having too much early success and being labelled a superstar junior. The book explains why kids who are not so good when they are young are often the ones who have the best chance of long-term success.

Based on robust science yet presented in an easy to read and understand format, this book is full of tips and ideas parents can put into practise straight away to build on the things they already do well. The evidence tells us parents are crucial in children achieving their goals in sport, this book explains what they can do to help.