(From the Australian Sports Coach Journal) 

DO’S

1. Congratulate your child when they swim.

2. Encourage your child when they don’t swim well.

3. Provide them with the necessary transportation to train and compete.

4. Adjust meal times to suit the child’s training schedule

5. Show an interest in your child’s swimming, at least by maintaining a knowledge of their race times.

6. Allow your child to make all decisions regarding their participation in Competitive swimming.

7. Support your child’s efforts through attending swim meets and carnivals.

8. Provide your child with the necessary financial support required for Training and competing.

9. Be aware of your child’s feelings (e.g. Tiredness, nervousness, self esteem Levels) and show them, through your actions, that you are aware of these.

10. Be willing to make personal sacrifices with no return expectations.

DON’TS

1. Judge your child by his/her achievements

2. Put down your child’s coach– if you cannot support the coach, find one That you can.

3. Watch workouts/training sessions.

4. Prevent your child developing other interests and attending activities outside swimming.

5. Show disappointment after your child has a poor swim.

6. Criticise good or bad performances (the coach will do that)

7. Compare your child to other swimmers.

8. Push your child to train harder.

9. Put pressure on your child while he or she is preparing to race.

10. Push your child to excel. (It must come from within for lasting Satisfaction)