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Taylor & Francis Online

Purpose: This study explored the impacts of elite-level youth sport participation on family life.

Methodology: In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of youth athletes (N = 17).

Findings: Parents extensively talked about the temporal demands of elite youth sports and necessity of time management. Three domains were found in parents’ accounts including, children’s time, parents’ time, and family’s time; temporal opportunities and challenges were identified within each domain. Time spent on sports was perceived positively, keeping children out of trouble and from video games/time online; however, it left no time for other activities. Although parents sacrificed their own activities to facilitate their child’s sports participation, they used the practice and tournament time to engage in personal interests, such as reading or exercising. Likewise, family’s time was restricted by youth sport schedules, but parents managed to turn car rides or tournament trips into quality family time.

Practical implications: Findings can be used by youth sport practitioners to enhance children and parents’ experiences.

Research contribution: Findings contribute to the literature by assessing the impacts of elite-level youth sports participation on family life.

Originality: The intricacies of how time-on task relates to parents’ relationship with their child’s sport have been understudied.

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