‘Engage me!' A multi-sport investigation of club interactions with parents at the beginning of the sporting season

Abstract

To better prepare parents for negotiating the complex and challenging nature of the youth sporting season, more attention is warranted around how clubs ‘onboard’ and support parents from the beginning of their involvement. This study utilised a multi-sport, rapid ethnography approach to examine how sport clubs engage parents at the beginning of the season and the impact of these interactions on the broader sport experience. Across four competitive youth sport settings (Australian football, netball, swimming and tennis), data were collected through 320 hours of covert field observations and 41 collaborative interviews with parents, coaches, and club leaders. Reflexive thematic analysis led to the development of three themes: (1) personalising the onboarding experience, (2) thanks and recognition, and (3) chats, check-ins, and consultations. The themes highlighted inconsistencies in club communication and onboarding practices, often leaving parents feeling dismissed, misunderstood, or undervalued. The findings emphasise the importance of prioritising meaningful and early engagement efforts with parents, which can potentially strengthen parental support, volunteerism, and contribute to a safer and more inclusive parent-supportive sport environment. Suggestions for clubs, sporting organisations, and policy makers are provided.