Talent Parent Programme

Expand About The Talent Parent Programme

About The Talent Parent Programme

Given the key role that parents play in informing and impacting athlete development, the England Talent Programme are delighted to launch a ‘Talent Parent Programme’ for the parents of our Talent Programme athletes. This programme will better engage and support parents in the sometimes difficult and often underappreciated role they play in the development of our Talent athletes.

The England Talent Programme welcomes all parents and carers of athletes looking to develop in paddlesport and believes the content within these resources are useful and applicable to all those looking to support their child’s sporting goals.

The Talent Parent Programme comprises of a curriculum delivered by podcasts and webinar workshops (addressing key topic areas such as nutrition, psychology, adolescent brain development, youth physiology, anti-doping, etc), useful links and videos, signposting documents as well as a series of presentations from parents of current or ex-athletes.

Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport takes place 2 – 6 October!

Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport is a national, year-round campaign run by the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit (NSPCC CPSU) which aims to raise awareness of the important role parents play in keeping their child safe and happy in sport.

Alongside the year-round campaign, a focus week takes place during the first week of October to highlight the campaign and launch new resources and guidance for parents and carers. This focus week brings to life the campaign messages with stories from parents, young people, and coaches.

To celebrate this year’s campaign, the NSPCC CPSU will be launching a brand-new film called “My No.1 Fan” which will feature real families, talking about what positive parental behaviour and support means to them and how negative behaviour can impact children’s enjoyment of sport.

The campaign aims to continue to highlight and support the role parents and carers play in keeping their children safe while taking part in sports and activities.

This year, the CPSU Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport campaign will focus on the following 3 areas:

Getting involved
Being supportive
Keeping children safe

For more information, including some great resources for parents and carers please visit the CPSU website.

Expand Webinars & Video Resources

Webinars & Video Resources

This section will contain a link to the webinars delivered as well as other key video resources relating to these topics.

Mark Haylett Presentation, featuring Ben Haylett

The fifth presentation in the parent presentation series was presented by Mark Haylett. Mark is the father of Ben Haylett who is a multiple Junior and U23 World and European finalist. Please view the presentation below:

A summary of some of the key takeaways from Mark and Ben's presentation can be found in the following infographic HERE.

Adam and Emma Miles Presentation

The fourth presentation in the parent presentation series was presented by Adam and Emma Miles. Adam and Emma are the parents of Philip Miles who was the 2019 Canoe Sprint K1M 1000m Junior European silver medallist. Please view the presentation below:

A summary of some of the key takeaways from Adam and Emma's presentation can be found in the following infographic HERE.

Lee Atkins Presentation

The third presentation in the parent presentation series was presented by Lee Atkins. Lee is the father of Daniel Atkins who is the 2019 double K1M 200m Junior European and World Champion. Please view webinar below:

A summary of some of the key takeaways from Lee's presentation can be found in the following infographic HERE.

Dave Westley Presentation

The second presentation in the parent presentation series was presented by Dave Westley. Dave is the father of Ryan Westley who is the 2018 Senior C1 European Champion and Senior C1 World Silver medallist. Please view webinar below:

Andy & Anne Hounslow Presentation

The first presentation in the parent presentation series was presented by Andy and Anne Hounslow. Andy and Anne are the parents of Richard and James Hounslow, both were past GB team athletes and Richard is a double Olympic Silver medallist. Please view webinar below:

Webinars:

Travelling Around Europe

Dave Royle and Horst Mayer (England Slalom Talent Programme parents) shared their experiences and key tips when travelling around Europe to undertake canoeing activity.

Race Day Nutrition

Terri Paulson (Performance Nutritionist) explores practical tips to help optimise nutrition on race day. This webinar will help provide parents with a better understanding of how they can help their child eat the right foods before, during and after competition to improve health and performance.

The Dynamical Systems Theory (DST) in Action Webinar: Applying the Theory into a Canoe Slalom Talent Pathway

Andrezj Wojs (Lead Lee Valley Coach - Canoe Slalom) presents an explanation on what the Dynamical Systems Theory (DST) is, the key principles of this and practical applications in Canoe Slalom training.

Watch here

Motivation

Wednesday 24th June 2020, 16:30pm

Ryan Fagan (England Talent Programme Volunteer Psychologist) discussed the different types of motivation, how parents can use motivation when athletes experience setbacks and strategies parents can use to help their child maintain motivation.

Watch here

The Car Journey Home

Monday 8th June 2020, 16:30pm

Roisin Kelly (England Talent Programme Volunteer Psychologist) discussed how the car journey home can be seen as a potential conflict between parent and child and provided tips to help parents to better understand how to approach conversations with their child during the car journey home.

Watch here

SmartHer

Tuesday 10th March 2020, 18:30pm

Dr Emma Ross (Head of Physiology - English Institute of Sport) discussed understanding and mastering the menstrual cycle, menstrual cycle symptoms and tracking and monitoring the menstrual cycle.

Watch here

Vegetarian & Vegan

Tuesday 18th February 2020, 14:00pm

Terri Paulson (Performance Nutritionist - English Institute of Sport) discussed the key macro and micro nutrients within a Vegetarian and Vegan diet and where there might be likely deficiencies.

Watch here

Anti-Doping

Thursday 27th June 2019, 13:00pm

Gemma Wiggs (Events & International Affairs Manager - Anti-Doping Lead Officer) briefly covers the Anti-Doping process, the need for Strict liability, the use of Global Dro and TUE's (How to apply for one) and batch testing.

Watch here

Skill Development

Thursday 16th May 2019, 12:30pm

Richard Ramsdale (Head of Talent) discusses theory of skill acquisition, in particular the concept of deliberate practice and how it applies to Canoe Slalom and Canoe Sprint.

Watch here

Grit

Tuesday 23rd April 2019, 17:30pm

Jonathan Smith (Performance Psychologist) discusses grit, the literature around grit and how to develop grit within young athletes.

Watch here

Parenting at Events

Wednesday 20th March 2019, 18:30pm

Imogen Collins (London Regional Pathway Coach - Canoe Sprint) talks about Importance of an athlete support network, the roles and responsibilities for parents and coaches at events, finding the balance, communication, body language behaviours and reviewing.

Watch here

Coping with Nerves

Wednesday 13th March 2019, 18:30pm

Caitlin Sheldon (Volunteer Psychologist for the England Talent Programme) talks about the benefits of nerves, relaxation techniques and visualisation, emotional regulation and What if? Planning for the unexpected.

Watch here

Physical Development

Thursday 7th March 2019, 18:30pm

Matthew Thompson (English Institute of Sport - Strength and Conditioning Coach for British Canoeing) talks about the impact of growth and maturation on physical development, training through childhood and adolescent and the Youth Development Model.

Watch here

The Adolescent Brain

Thursday 24th January 2019, 18:30pm

Stephen Eccles (Volunteer Psychologist for the England Talent Programme) talks about the adolescent brain and how it differs from an adult brain, the chemicals in the brain which can effect adolescent behaviour, the chimp paradox and emotional control.

Watch here

Goal Setting

Thursday 13th December 2018, 17:30pm

Emma Hooton (Volunteer Psychologist for the England Talent Programme) talks about the importance of setting achievable goals, using the four corners model: Technical, Physical, Psychological and Lifestyle in goal setting, how to review and reset goals.

Watch here

Growth Mindset

Thursday 6th December 2018, 17:30pm

Stephen Eccles (Volunteer Psychologist for the England Talent Programme) talks about what a growth mindset is, different praise processes and how to provide effective reflection.

Watch here

Nutrition

Thursday 29th November 2018, 17:30pm

Matthew Thompson (English Institute of Sport - Strength and Conditioning Coach for British Canoeing) talks about the key micronutrients athletes need, making good food choices with top tips on school lunches, snacks and travel and why hydration is important for performance.

Watch here

Planning for Sport

Thursday 22nd November 2018, 17:30pm

Emma Groome (English Institute of Sport - Performance Lifestyle Advisor for British Canoeing) talks about the importance of how parents can help their child plan for sport.

Watch here

Being a Parent or Carer in Elite Sport

Thursday 15th November 2018, 16:30pm

Rich Ramsdale (Head of Talent) talks about the role of a parent or carer in elite sport.

Watch here

Expand Podcasts

Podcasts

In conjunction with the British Canoeing Awarding Body Coaching Podcast the England Talent Programme cover episodes revisiting previously delivered webinar content along with new topic areas.

You can download and listem to all podcast episodes on Spotify, Podbean and Apple by following 'British Canoeing Coaching'.

Performance Anxiety

We are joined by British Canoeing's Performance Wellbeing Coach, Zofia Campbell and senior athletes Laura Sugar (Paracanoe) and Lewis Fletcher (Canoe Sprint) to discuss performance anxiety. In this podcast episode they discuss the symptoms athletes have when experiencing performance anxiety and some techniques that can be used to help control it.

Nutrition of a Senior athlete

We are joined by Lewis Fletcher (Canoe Sprint athlete) to discuss his daily nutrition habits, the nutritional choices he faces over competition, including any strategies and recovery snacks that he takes. We also discussed the importance of hydration, the use of supplements and the importance of taking a food first approach.

Incorporating Strength and Conditioning into a training programme

This episode is the third and final episode of a three part Strength & Conditioning Series, in this part we talk about how coaches and paddlers can incorporate strength and conditioning into a training programme and what principles should be followed. To discuss this topic area we are joined by Ben Lewis (Pathway Strength and Conditioning Coordinator).

The Purpose of S&C

This episode is the second of a three part Strength & Conditioning Series, in this part we talk about the purpose of Strength and Conditioning, addressing some concerns that people might have around strength and conditioning as well as highlighting the benefits of this and we start to begin to look at how strength and conditioning can be structured in a training programme. To discuss this topic area we are joined by Ben Lewis (Pathway Strength and Conditioning Coordinator).

Sport Sampling

This episode is the first of a three part Strength & Conditioning Series, in this part we talk about Sport Sampling. Ben Lewis (Pathway Strength and Conditioning Coordinator) explains what sport sampling is and how it can be useful for developing athletes.

How to support your child when faced with an important race

Building on the Parenting at Events podcast episode, we are joined by Ian Raspin, (Canoe Slalom England National Talent Coach) and Steve Pearson (Parent of a former England Slalom Talent Programme athlete), where they discussed how a parent can help their child when they’re preparing for an important race such as selection or a championship race, and we hear first hand an account from a parent of the journey they've had with their child during this particular event and the learnings they took forward from this experience.

Getting Help for Clinical Mental Health Conditions (Mental Health Series, Part 3)

This episode is the third and final episode of a three-part Mental Health Series, in this part we talk about Clinical Mental Health conditions when it might be important to get professional help, and what that might look like. Joining these discussions are Imogen Collins (Canoe Sprint Talent Pathway Coach) and Zofia Campbell (Performance Wellbeing Coach).

Talking to your child if you think they're struggling (Mental Health Series, Part 2)

This episode is the second of a three part Mental Health Series, in this part we talk about how to speak to your child if you have a concern about them and might be worried that they’re not coping with stress or otherwise struggling with their mental health. Joining these discussions are Louise Ramsdale (Canoe Slalom Central Regional Academy Coach) and Zofia Campbell (Performance Wellbeing Coach).

Helping your child to manage stress and promoting self care (Mental Health Series, Part 1)

This episode is the first of a three part Mental Health Series. In this part we will be talking about helping your child manage stress and promoting self-care. We're all affected by stress from time to time, and it’s something that seems to affect us more and more in modern life. Stress can have a big impact on our personal wellbeing and can cause mental health issues and in serious cases it could become chronic.

To discuss this important topic we are joined by Luke Smyth (Canoe Slalom Academy Programme Technical Coach) and Zofia Campbell (Performance Wellbeing Coach).

Parenting at Events

We are joined by Louise Ramsdale (Canoe Slalom Central Regional Development Coach) and Happy Wright (Volunteer Psychologist) to discuss some key principles that parents should aim to follow when parenting at events and the importance of having good communication channels with your child and coach.

Sleep

We are joined by Luke Gupta (Physiology Consultant for the English Institute of Sport) to discuss the importance of sleep, the key principles of sleep and getting into good sleeping habits.

UK Programme athletes and Tokyo 2020 Olympians Mallory Franklin, Kimberley Woods, Deborah Kerr and Katie Reid are also guests on this podcast epsiode where they share their sleep routine, how this has differed as they have moved into the senior age group and their experiences of sleeping prior to a big race.

Season 1 Podcast Episodes

Being a parent to a Talent Programme athlete - Slalom Specific

We explore the topic of 'Being a Parent of a Talent Programme Athlete' specific to the Slalom discipline with Rich Ramsdale (Head of Talent) & Julia Kang (Parent). The England Talent Programme hope you will come away with a better understanding of what the pathway is and the demands that are placed on all parties (athlete, parent and coach) as athletes progress through the programme and how to support and what is expected from all parties.

Being a parent to a Talent Programme athlete - Sprint Specific

We explore the topic of 'Being a Parent of a Talent Programme Athlete' specific to the Sprint discipline with Nick Fowler-Rimell (Podium Potential Technical Coach) & Linda Clark (Parent). The England Talent Programme hope you will come away with a better understanding of what the pathway is and the demands that are placed on all parties (athlete, parent and coach) as athletes progress through the programme and how to support this as a parent.

Goal Setting

We are joined by Neil Buckley (UK Transition Coach), David Paterson (Slalom EPS athlete) and Zofia Campbell (Volunteer Psychologist for Slalom EPS) to explore the topic of 'Goal Setting for a Talent Programme Athlete'.

The England Talent Programme hope you will come away with a better understanding of what goal setting is and how it can be used to ensure an athlete continues to make improvements.

Developing a Growth Mindset

We are joined by Nick Fowler-Rimell (England Talent National Coach), Roisin Kelly (England Talent Programme Volunteer Psychologist) & Sally Holland (Parent) to explore the topic of 'Developing a Growth Mindset'.

The England Talent Programme hope you will come away with a better understanding of how parents can help their child develop a growth mindset and how to reinforce processes.

Anti Doping

We are joined by Gemma Wiggs (Anti-Doping Lead Officer), Ian Raspin (England Talent National Coach - Canoe Slalom) & Nikki Forrow (Parent).

During this podcast episode our guests discussed the values and ethics of sport and why it's important to instil this within athletes at a young age, the prohibited list and checking medications, the risk of taking supplements, online education for athletes and parents and an outline of the testing process.

Coping With Nerves

We are joined by Ian Raspin (England Talent National Coach - Canoe Slalom), Ryan Fagan (Volunteer England Talent Programme Psychologist) & Liva Kinstlere (Parent).

During this podcast episode our guests discussed race day nerves and the strategies athletes and parents can use to effectively cope with race day nerves.

Expand Additional Information and Resources

Additional Information and Resources

This page contains key parent resources and supplementary reading and video resources relating to the Talent Parent Programme topics delivered through our webinars or podcast episodes.

These are useful parent websites for top tips, additional reading and resources.

Courtside Dad

Funding Sources

High Performance Parenting

I Love to Watch You Play

Working with Parents in Sport (WWPIS)