Footy great Sonny Bill Williams has confessed that he felt like he’d failed as a father when his daughters struggled to deal with the effects of a draining sport event.
The dual Kiwi international has spoken out about the negative effects of ‘overtraining’ on his kids in a new video posted to social media as he gave advice to other mums and dads who are faced with the problem.
An increasing number of Aussie parents are dealing with their children suffering burnout and health problems as a result of pushing too hard in training and during competition.
‘Recently my two daughters entered in a surf lifesaving competition… and man, I was humbled because I got taught a valuable lesson,’ Williams said on Instagram.
‘The kids were competing… for four days straight, five to 10 hours, 30-plus degree weather, hot and humid.
‘By the third day, my daughter was spent, and I felt like a failure.
Sonny Bill Williams (pictured with four of his five children) has spoken out on the dangers of overtraining for young athletes
The 40-year-old footy great (pictured) has offered parents advice to keep their kids healthy and happy while they play sport
Williams (pictured) was one of the NRL’s fittest players in his playing days
‘Me being an athlete for so long… the big thing that I focused on, or pride myself on, is recovery. So post that [after the lifesaving event], I came back home, done a bit of study into young athletes.
‘There’s a massive epidemic at the moment with kids and injuries from overtraining, especially.’
Williams then revealed his daughter has suffered health problems after competing in the event.
‘Fast forward one month from this tournament, my daughter is actually going through knee problems and ankle problems, and it’s just from overtraining,’ Williams claimed.
The father of five then gave parents tips on how to get the best out of their kids athletically, while also preserving their health.
‘Parents with young athletes, this one’s for you,’ Williams captioned his post on Instagram.
‘Here’s five boxes to tick with young athletes.’
‘Number one, recovery is king. And what’s king of recovery? Sleep.
The former Roosters star (pictured with wife Allana) won the 2013 NRL premiership with the foundation club
The dual Kiwi international returned to the NRL after almost six years out of the game for a short stint with the Chooks in 2020
‘So I would say eight to 10 hours is a base level. Kids have to be sleeping, my daughter has to be sleeping if she wants to perform at her best.
‘Number two, hydration and nutrition.
‘Feed them whole foods. How do you expect them to perform at a high level when their energy is not as full as it should be.
‘Number three – this was pretty cool and we’re going to introduce this into my household – the age of your child, your kids shouldn’t be training more than that during the week.
‘So my daughter is 11, she won’t be training more than 11 hours a week.’
Williams went on to encourage parents to let their kids play a range of sports, and for parents and their kids to work out a goal for their development.
The former Bulldogs and All Blacks star’s message has been echoed by other former NRL stars.
‘Well said Sonny. Had seven operations by the time I was 18,’ former Roosters teammate Boyd Cordner wrote.
‘Just from overload and doing too much… at a young age… didn’t know any better.’
‘Love it bro, facts,’ added Cook Islands international Brad Takairangi.
Williams won an NRL premiership in his first year with the Sydney Roosters in 2013.
The 40-year-old has also boxed professionally and held the New Zealand heavyweight title.
