Gifted sporty kids

Is my child gifted?

If your child stands out from the group, and is proficient at a sport quicker than others in his or her age level, then they have a special talent for sport, according to Tony Miles, from Australian Sports Camps.

How do I nurture their talent at home?

Tony runs sports camps alongside ex-professional sportsmen, including ex-AFL coach Kevin Sheedy. He says that Kevin encourages “repetition” of skills at home. For example, they could have a footy in their hand all the time, and be kicking it to themselves or handballing to a friend while they chat or move about the house or back yard.

Is it bad to specialise?

Is your child footy-mad, or netball-mad? No problem. There’s no need to force your child into a variety of sports, according to Tony. Children working on one sport will be developing skills and hand-eye coordination that will transfer into other sports later on.

How else can my child hone her skills?

Holiday sports clinics and sport camps are a great way to hone your child’s skills. For example, Tony runs cricket camps with a player such as Justin Langer in attendance. The children get the change to bat in the nets, drill their bowling skills and take part in a video record and analysis.

Throughout the year your child can always take part in school competitions as well as joining local sports clubs, to provide an avenue for performing in their chosen sport(s).

When is a parent “too pushy”?

If your child is entering clubs or competitions, check to make sure she’s following her own goals, not yours.

Tony emphasises that the main point is to have fun. Once the practice or the drills become a chore, you’re probably taking things too seriously. Alternatively, if your child is competing to please you, rather than for his own pleasure, it can have negative psychological implications, according to Raising Boys author Steve Biddulph.

So you definitely can’t be too pushy. But you do want to make sure a talented and eager child does get access to the equipment and people who can bring that passion alive and give him a chance to excel.