Skye Eddy’s football parenting vision lights up Valentine Sports Park

As many as 50 club representatives from NSW attended Football NSW’s Parent Engagement & Education Workshop hosted by international guest speaker and founder of Soccer Parenting and the Sideline Project Skye Eddy at Valentine Sports Park on Tuesday evening.

The club representatives were treated to an informative evening led by one of the experts of the Parent Engagement Education field within team environments.

The evening discussed developing a seasonal plan to regularly engage with parents in creating a culture of understanding.

The strong focus on creating a community within your club was also notable as well as promoting the introduction of the “Sideline Project” to educate parents on the role they play.

“Parent engagement allows parents, coaches and clubs to support and inspire players,” said Skye Eddy.

“We should be encouraging parents to proactively ask their child how they want to be supported from the sideline to ensure we do not distract them or cause them stress.

“Parents want to know that coaches care about their child first and foremost.”

Football NSW’s Head of Football Development Edward Ferguson was impressed with what Skye had discussed with the many interested club participants that enjoyed the evening.

“Skye’s methods and approach to improving player development starts with the child and ends with coaches, clubs and parents working more aligned for the player. This player-centric, collaborative approach is not seen enough in our landscape, and I applaud her teachings and encourage clubs to adopt the principles and resources to support their players.

“Skye provided a roadmap for Clubs to create safe, enjoyable and competitive matchdays without the player feeling stressed or anxious.

“This should be a vision we all strive to achieve.”

Skye is currently in Australia and will feature in this weekend’s sold-out Football NSW Coaching Conference taking place at Valentine Sports Park.