Where this comes from

The 'fun maps' study: 81 fun determinants named by young athletes, parents and coaches. Trying hard, positive team dynamics and positive coaching ranked highest; winning ranked 48th.

Source of the widely cited estimate that about 70% of children stop playing organized sport by age 13, and that 'it wasn't fun anymore' is the leading reason given.

Informal survey of college athletes over three decades; the six words athletes most often named as the thing their parents said that made them feel best.

Participation and dropout patterns for Canadian children and teens.

The stage framework used across Canadian sport: Active Start, FUNdamentals, Learn to Train, Train to Train, Train to Compete, Active for Life.

The original Canadian study showing junior and NHL rosters skew toward early-in-the-year birthdays.

Confirms the relative age effect across sports, ages and countries.

Early single-sport specialization is linked to higher overuse injury, burnout and dropout; multi-sport participation is recommended through early adolescence.

Highly specialized young athletes had a higher risk of serious overuse injury.

The small fraction of high school athletes who play varsity sport at university and the far smaller fraction who turn professional.

Peak height velocity typically arrives around 12 for girls and 14 for boys, with a temporary dip in coordination.

The standard Canadian coaches are trained to, including how coaches are expected to work with parents.

Go For It, Play Fair, Respect Others, Keep It Fun, Stay Healthy, Include Everyone, Give Back: the values framework adopted by most Canadian sport organizations.

Defines what expert sport parenting looks like, including how parents manage their relationship with coaches.

Provincial expectations for parent conduct, complaint routes and the role of the club.

How parent anger in the stands affects children, and why kids say they want parents to stay calm.

Observed and categorized parents' verbal behaviour at games, from supportive to controlling and derogatory.

Young athletes want encouragement, calm, and no technical coaching from parents during competition.

Abuse from spectators and parents is the most common reason youth sport officials give for quitting, driving referee shortages across Ontario.

Canadian study of post-game conversations and what athletes want from them.

How post-game critique on the ride home affects children's enjoyment.

See Module 1.

See Module 3.

Growth versus fixed mindset.

Praising effort and process rather than ability or results.

Signs of burnout in young athletes and the role of pressure and lack of autonomy.

How perfectionistic pressure from parents relates to anxiety and 'playing scared'.

Sampling years, specializing years and investment years; why deliberate play and broad participation matter before the teens.

Recommended training-to-competition ratios by stage, and why meaningful competition is structured differently for children than for teens.

Age-appropriate expectations for playing time, roles and competition in Ontario basketball.

See Module 3, including how expert parents handle selection and playing-time disappointment.

Removal from sport, no same-day return, and medical clearance before return to play.

Recognition, management and return-to-sport steps.

At least one to two days off per week and two to three months away from a single sport per year; warning signs of overuse.

9 to 11 hours of sleep for ages 5 to 13 and 8 to 10 hours for ages 14 to 17.

Water for routine activity; sports drinks only for prolonged vigorous exercise; energy drinks are not appropriate for children or teens.

Two screened, NCCP-trained adults present with an athlete, especially in closed spaces.

Defines maltreatment in sport and sets reporting expectations for every funded sport organization.

How and where to report a concern: club safe sport officer, provincial sport organization, and police when a child may be in danger.