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The (limited) impact of sport policy on parental behaviour in youth sport: a qualitative inquiry in junior Australian football

It is well documented that parents can comprise a significant positive influence in the youth sport setting. Parents are often acknowledged for providing support and encouragement in addition to the necessary financial and logistical support that enables sporting opportunities. However, there is also a concern that parents possess the potential to negatively influence the participatory experience. While this sociocultural phenomenon has received much academic attention in the international community, the impact of sport policy on parental behaviour has been largely overlooked. This paper is one of several to emerge from a larger qualitative study on parental influence in the junior Australian football experience in South Australia. Drawing upon rich qualitative data derived from focus groups and individual interviews with parents (n = 34), children (n = 52) and coaches (n = 16), this paper examines their attitudes and perceptions toward the code of conduct in junior Australian football. The results indicate that wider social and cultural imperatives can impact the meaning and significance of the code of conduct policy for encouraging positive parental behaviour. The implications for sport providers and policy-makers include a consideration for adopting a ‘top-down’ approach to address issues of parental behaviour in children’s and youth sport.