Children’s Training and Competition in Football: The Coach’s View on Family Participation and Healthy Development

Abstract

The different deployments that involve youth soccer players’ development must be discussed and organized by adults, thinking about creating safe, challenging, and stimulating environments for them. Thus, our aim with this study is to investigate variables about family participation in the players’ development processes in the context of children’s competitions in Brazil. This qualitative–descriptive research was conducted in the under-10 category of the Nova Liga Gaúcha de Futebol Infantil (NOLIGAFI) through interviews with twelve coaches and in loco observations. The results showed that all coaches highlighted the importance and role of the family in the healthy development of young players. However, fact-based evidence reveals negative family participation. From this complex scenario, the coaches become fundamental figures for mediating and guiding this process, organizing proposals aimed at educating parents in the sports scenarios to promote an environment of competitive practice in football that is healthier for children.