In this episode, we speak with Dr Sam Thrower, Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Oxford Brookes University, about the vital but often overlooked role that parents play in youth sport. Drawing upon over 10 years of experience, Sam explains how parent education and support interventions can have a powerful impact on young athletes' participation, long-term development, and performance in youth sport. From navigating the emotional highs and lows of competition to fostering open communication during the car journey home, this episode offers practical insights into building psychologically informed youth sport environments. You can explore this work wider by visiting his staff profile: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/sam-thrower