Preliminary communication UDK: 796.015.4-053.2 796.073-055.52 Miloš Markovic (Serbia) Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Belgrade miloscj@gmail.com Živko Misirača (Serbia) Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Belgrade zile72@gmail.com  Branka Savovic (Serbia) Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Belgrade branka.savovic@fsfv.bg.ac.rs Sandra Radenovic (Serbia) Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Belgrade sandra.radenovic@fsfv.bg.ac.rs YOUNG ATHLETES’ PARENTS AS PART OF SPORTS AUDIENCE Abstract Physical activity is exceptionally signifcant for a child’s regular growth and development and it should be practiced from the earliest age. Te importance of physical activity is further accentuated in modern society’s living conditions. Technology is becoming increasingly present and children’s movement is brought to a minimum. Terefore, children are included in the system of sport, where competition occupies a central role. Parents frequently attend children’s training and competitions. Te goal of this paper was to determine the infuence of parents as part of the sports audience on children who practice sport. Te authors wanted to ascertain the extent to which parents arrive at their child’s training and matches in order to provide support, in what measure they interfere with the coach’s work in training and matches and whether they punish