Gordon MacLelland (Working with Parents in Sport): Navigating the Parent & Coach Relationship.

Gordon MacLelland set up ‘Working with Parents in Sport’ after 20 years as a teacher and as a coach to all age levels from 7 year olds to adults. He has a BA/Hons degree in Sports Science from University College Chester and a PGCE from Lancaster University. He is a qualified teacher and has been Director of Sport at an independent prep school in the UK for the last 13 years. He has worked in schools in both the UK and New Zealand for the last 16 years.  He is the author of three books, ‘Two Hats’ – a book for parent coaches who are coaching or thinking of coaching their own children,  ‘Great Sports Parenting’ – A pocket guide for parents of children in sport and ‘Engage’ – A coaches guide to building positive relationships with parents. In recent times he has become a parent to two children and the early sporting experiences of his own children prompted him to set up the company as well as write the three books above.  As a speaker he brings a wealth of experience to working with organisations, coaches and parents gathered through 20 years as a teacher and coach as well as a parent currently involved in children’s sport.  

In this episode Gordon discusses:

• His own conflicting emotions as a sport parent early in his son's life. 

• Making information accessible and applicable for sport parents. 

• No one trains coaches to engage with parents. 

• Why parents should inform themselves on child development. 

• Parental doubts and the fear of missing out (FOMO). 

• The dual roles of a Parent who is also Coaching. 

• Managing the Coach/Parent relationship.  

You can learn more about the Gordon's work by visiting www.parentsinsport.co.uk  or by following Working with Parents in Sport on Facebook and Twitter via @wwpis .  

As always you can keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our website, Instagram and Twitter.