FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

NEW BOOK IS THE ULTIMATE COMPANION FOR PARENTS IN SUPPORTING THEIR CHILD’S SPORTING JOURNEY

Ilove to watch you play. That’s the best phrase you can say to your child when they have finished their game on the sporting field, says Queenslandbased sports psychology consultant Dr Jo Lukins in her latest book In the Grandstands.

“I think what happens is when you say those words, ‘I love to watch you play’, you can’t help but smile,” she says. “It takes the focus away from the outcome of the game or the child’s performance in the game. The heart of it is if a child enjoys playing sports they will want to keep doing it.

“And that is what we need, a community that is physically active.”

Dr Lukins has pitched her second book as the ultimate companion for parents in supporting their teenager’s sporting journey, regardless of their children’s chosen sport, age or ability.

“After years of working with families in the sporting arena, I wrote In the Grandstands as a handbook to help parents navigate the tears and triumphs of sport whether their teen is a reluctant player or has dreams of sporting glory,” she says. “A recent study found 70 per cent of children won’t continue sport after the age of 13 and the main reason is ‘lack of fun’ – but it doesn’t have to be this way because parents play a crucial role in facilitating their child’s sporting experience.”

While 26 per cent of parents aspire for their kids to become elite athletes, the reality is only one in over half a million will compete in the Olympics, Dr Lukins says her book helps manage those expectations and more.

“It aims to guide parents in moments of self-doubt and helps them reflect, but it comes from a place of understanding and educating rather than judgment, especially with a lot of parent-blaming in sport nowadays,” she says. “We need to understand that really well-meaning parents do unhelpful things and lose sight of the important things like having fun and connecting with their children.”

In the Grandstands runs the full gamut of what parents may face in both individual and team sport across 12 chapters – with topics such as helpful conversations, managing disappointment, coping with injury and respect for all.

It’ll answer those tough questions such as – A parent next to me is misbehaving, what do I do? My child wants to quit, so how do I keep them motivated? And, should I document my child’s journey on social media?”

Dr Lukins, who wrote the hugely successful book, The Elite last year, shares her proven tips to help families navigate their way through the highs and lows of sport.

The book is delivered in easily digestible insights so parents can learn how to best support their teen, both at home and from the grandstands, and gain a better understanding of the young sporting mind and what it needs to thrive.

Dr Lukins is recognised in her field and the broader community as a professional who makes a difference in the lives of others.

The Townsville-based sports psychology consultant spends her day inside the heads of individuals, teams and organisations, seeking to understand what makes them tick and assisting them to reach their potential.

With a PhD in Psychology, Dr Lukins delivers programs in resilience and expert performance for the Australian Defence Force.

She has worked with elite athletes and outstanding professionals throughout her career, giving her a unique insight into the world of success.

The mother-of-two has been acknowledged as an expert in her field, being awarded an Outstanding Alumni by James Cook University for her achievements.

She was also the inaugural sports psychology consultant for the North

Queensland Cowboys.

In her first book, The Elite, NRL superstar Johnathan Thurston sang her praises.

“We can all benefit from the lessons taught in our sporting arenas,” he says. “We need someone that can translate the lessons and Dr Jo has done that for us in the book.

“Learn the skills to think smarter, play smarter and be happier and you will always be a winner.”

Basketball superstar and Olympian Suzy Batkovic, who penned the foreword for In the Grandstands, believes Dr Lukins’ newest book goes a long way to ensuring a smooth start to sporting success.

“Jo has helped countless athletes from juniors to elites, she understands the important role a supportive family plays in the journey of a young athlete and how critical it is to laying down the foundation of a lifelong love of sport,” she says.

Suzy credits her own parents’ support as critical to her success on the basketball court.

“When I think about all the years of Mum championing me and telling me to keep my head up and try again, I can clearly see the positive impact it had on my mindset and selfbelief,” Suzy says in the book. “She always made me feel like I was OK to back myself and take the next shot, and that drive and determination to get better and believe in myself has been such an important part of my success as a professional athlete.

Suzy says Dr Lukins’ book will be a valuable companion on her own sporting journey with her twin daughters.

“I never want to be ‘that parent’ screaming from the grandstands. I want to be constructive, to give my kids the space to work out what they want.”

In the book Suzy says whether you’re a professional athlete or a child starting out in sport, it’s very easy to get caught up internalising the negative.

“When you’ve got that positive person in the background, telling you to keep trying and it will come, it’s so important, especially in those early days.”

Suzy says the book is such an important resource for families at all levels of junior sport because it helps parents understand what they can do to support their kids in sport, no matter their age or ability.

The Townsville-based mother of twin girls says sport has the potential to bring so much positivity to a child’s life.

“But in the early years they can’t do it alone,” she says.

“For parents wanting to support their kids as they navigate the highs and lows of sport, Dr Jo’s book is a valuable companion.

“I know I’ll be revisiting my copy of Jo’s book regularly over the years as I take my seat in the grandstands.”