This week is Parents in Sport week, an initiative by Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland (through the Child Protection in Sport Unit). It’s a chance to highlight to parents the important role they play in supporting their child’s rugby journey, no matter what team they play on. If you wish to use this weekend to highlight this initiative you can find some information for parents here, https://www.irishrugby.ie/playing-the-game/spirit-of-rugby/safeguarding/parents-guardians/. This page also contains the IRFU Play Your Part, Let Them Play video that reminds parents that the youth game belongs to our Age-grade players, and that it’s ok to make mistakes – that’s how they learn. This theme was highlighted by John O’Sullivan at the Spirit of Rugby Conference in January and this article contains some key messages for parents, https://changingthegameproject.com/open-letter-dad-wont-stop-yelling/.
