NEW NFL-FUNDED PROGRAM TO EDUCATE PARENTS ABOUT SPORTSMANSHIP.

An alarming American trend is often depicted on the evening news: Parents of young athletes being verbally abusive or even violent during their children's sporting events. With funding from the National Football League and support from the National Recreation and Parks Association, North Carolina State University is helping to develop an educational program aiming to prevent such inappropriate behavior and ensure children have positive sports experiences.

Dr. Michael Kanters, director of the new Youth Sports Parent Education Program, explains that the vast majority of millions of children participating in sports activities drop out by the time they're 13 years old. Research indicates that behavior by parents has a direct and significant effect on both children's self-esteem and their decision to stay in sports.

"Clearly the actions of many parents indicates a growing problem," said Kanters, an NC State assistant professor of parks, tourism, and recreation management. "A parent education program has the potential to both minimize the negative impact of inappropriate parent involvement, and teach parents how to help their children get the most out of their sport experiences."

The program will develop, test and implement a curriculum that can be used across the nation to educate parents of children ages 6-12 about how to effectively facilitate their children's sports experiences. Beginning in January 2002, parks and recreation agencies nationwide will be able to offer the program, which will be administered by NRPA in partnership with the NFL.

"The NFL's involvement in this program supports their vision of establishing a collaborative approach to improving youth sports at the grassroots level," Kanters said. "A positive youth sport experience will impact a child's decision to stay involved in sports."

Kanters notes that youth athletics experiences can positively impact children's lives by improving their self-esteem, their perceptions of their physical abilities, their interpersonal skills with peers and adults, their stress-coping skills, and their attitudes toward the value of physical ability.

After the curriculum is developed, 10 public parks and recreation agencies in four states -- North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Missouri -- will pilot test it this fall with parents who register their children for a youth sport program.