Venice Anderson-Facey is a constant figure at her son Aiden Facey’s football and track and field events. Like many other sports moms, Venice has dedicated her time and energy to encouraging and providing a platform for her child’s sports development.

As she has underlined, sports involvement has played a key role in her child’s physical and mental development, and she encourages other sports moms and potential sports moms to understand the value of this involvement while sharing her own experiences and providing an advice or two.

In which sport(s) is your child involved?

Football and track and field

What inspired your child to get involved in sports?

I believe his parents’ love for sports, as I was a track athlete from primary school to high school and his father was a footballer during school, so technically he just had to (laughs).

How do you balance your child’s schoolwork with his sports commitments?Balancing these days has become somewhat difficult, but we get it done. We split the days equally for both sports and any extra classes (two days weekly per activity).

How has your child’s involvement in sports impacted his physical and mental health?

As an involved athlete, I strongly believe it keeps him busy, and he loves what he does, so he is fit physically, as his track training also includes hills and sands training, and mentally it is good for him also, especially given that he is not forced, he is actually serious about sports. His sports IQ has also improved tremendously due to his involvement.

What are some of the challenges you face as a parent of a child who is involved in sports?

The main challenge is really balancing, especially when there are clashes between the two sports or a class and a sport activity. As well as days when he may be tired and has a weekend tournament. However, once he is at the tournament he no longer remembers he was tired. Another major challenge for me is his eating habits, he is not a lover of food, he is a very picky eater. One good thing is that he loves vegetables and fruits, but it would be good if he would include a love for hard food and more protein to strike a proper balance.

How do you support your child’s sports ambitions while also encouraging them to pursue other interests?

Ultimately, it is important to strike a balance between supporting his interest in sports and encouraging him to explore other areas of life. So I foster a well-rounded set of skills and interests to help him to develop into a confident and capable individual who is prepared for success in all areas of his life. I expose him to business and just life and other experiences in general.

How do you handle disappointment or setbacks that your child may face in sports?

Wow two years ago we had an experience that tested our faith and was in fact a big disappointment when there was an error with him being registered to run at Prep Champs and he just could not participate. At that point, we both had to learn that this would make us stronger and that in life, we will be disappointed, but we just have to rise above and overcome because life goes on. So that situation built some character in him for sure.

What are some of the benefits that your child has gained from being involved in sports, and do you see his involvement influencing his character? He has certainly gotten a lot of exposure to sports, gained experience from participating in football tournaments and track meets, while experiencing new places, new countries, and meeting new people when he travels to participate in sports. I can see major growth each time, and for me, this is one of the best things. His understanding of the sports has also improved as well.

What are your hopes and aspirations for your child’s future in sports?

My hope and aspirations for his future in sports are that he will become a professional athlete, if this is his desire, and that he will choose the sport that he truly loves and is more passionate about, and I wish him all the success at the highest level.

What advice do you have for other parents whose children are interested or involved in sports?

Firstly, encourage your child’s passion. If they are passionate about sports, let them pursue it. Foster a healthy mindset. Let them focus on getting better rather than just the outcome of winning or losing. They should set goals and work hard toward them.

Secondly, parents should be supportive, 100 per cent, even if they don’t see the potential, just know that once they apply themself they can grow and improve. Cheer them on and be their biggest fan. Offer constructive feedback and provide a solution or improvement strategies. Please encourage balance and encourage them to pursue other interests as well, as this will help them to develop well-rounded skills.

Thirdly, encourage your child to be a good sport, whether they win or lose. Teach them to respect their opponents and follow sports rules and display good behaviour. Finally, keep it fun above all, sports should be fun for your kids.