Leadership and Life Balance
What Should I Do If My Child Does Not Like Their Coach?
Rhema Adelaja · National Champion & 4x DUX
Listen to your child first, without judging. Decide together whether they should talk to the coach. Keep your frustration away from your child, the sideline and other parents, and do not criticise the coach in front of your child. If you worry about safety, go to the club's welfare contact.
The answer
- Listen to your child's frustration without judging how they feel.
- Ask what exactly bothers them. It could be playing time, how practice runs or how the coach speaks to them.
- Decide together whether they should talk to the coach, and help them prepare. A respectful, prepared conversation beats resentment building in silence (RL-VB-0012).
- If a talk does not fix things, you may need to agree to disagree.
- Keep your frustration away from your child and from other parents. Vent in private, such as with a partner or one trusted friend, and leave it at home on game days.
- Do not criticise the coach in front of your child, and teach your child to stay respectful even when it is hard.
- If you think your child is unsafe or being mistreated, that is a different situation. Go to the club's welfare officer or the sport's governing body, and ask for support (RL-VB-0013).
For information only. This is general information for student-athletes, not medical, legal, financial or professional advice. Talk to a qualified professional about your own situation. Terms
Rules and amounts change. Check the official source before you act. Last checked: 17 October 2026.