Development and Performance

Non-Perfect Parent Series 3

Welsh Athletics is delighted to confirm that the widely acclaimed parenting expert Richard Shorter is to embark on a third series of Non-Perfect Parent workshops over the next year. Since the parent programme started back in 2019/20, its’ provision has grown through collaboration to include and benefit parents from Welsh Gymnastics, Cricket Wales, Hockey Wales and Badminton Wales, in addition to Welsh Athletics.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic the series ran virtually last year, resulting in record attendances and things are set to continue over the next 7-8 months where parents will be able to tune into six highly engaging sessions which have the main objective of facilitating better outcomes for their children in their respective sports pathways.

Richard has over 20 years of working with parents from his days as a youth worker. He has delivered numerous parenting courses for local authorities and statutory agencies, as well as lecturing at universities including the teaching of trainee social work students about effective strategies for working with families.

Richard also had significant experience within the sports sector having worked with the likes of Manchester United, England Rugby, the England & Wales Cricket Board, England Hockey, Saracens, Millfield School, Newcastle Falcons and Somerset Cricket. A public speaker in his own right, he recently featured on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss the joys and challenges of sporting parents at the highest level.

The workshops for this year will continue via the virtual Zoom platform and will occur on the following dates:

• November 11^th 2021: Providing a HOME which nurtures potential.  
• December 9^th 2021: The changing world of the sporting teenagers mind and body- how to adapt your parenting to your child's growth, changes and needs.
• January 13^th 2022: Expectations- when they are helpful, when they are not and how they can fuel sporting potential.
• February 10^th 2022: Navigating the opportunity and challenges of Social media and technology with your sporting children.
• March 10^th 2022: Listening for a change- how to have those tricky conversations which sport produces.
• May 12^th 2022: Sport Parent Case studies: looking at some our of famous athletes and how their parents were and were not helpful to them.

All sessions begin at 8pm and last one hour. To download the flyer click here. To register for this opportunity click here.