Sport New Zealand's senior coaching adviser Andrew Eade said adult volunteers were essential to making youth sport happen, but were often reluctant to put their hands up due to a lack of confidence.
But Mr Eade said more often than not, coaching and volunteering was a highly rewarding activity.
"For people who engage in coaching and get comfortable with what they're doing, very high levels report it's one of the most satisfying things they do in their lives," Mr Eade said.
"Once people discover that, it no longer becomes an imposition to find the two hours a week, it becomes the thing they look forward to most."
He said coaching was frustrating at times but the involvement went beyond the game.
"That ability for parent coaches to influence young people at a stage in their life when they need good adult roles models in a positive way can be enormously rewarding.
"It'll also frustrate the hell out of them, but that's what happens with some of the best experiences."
Parents keep sport alive
Havelock North Cricket Club's coaching co-ordinator Dave Castle has taken on coaching teams of all ages, from juniors through to senior men's sides.
He said the role of a coach always went beyond the practical teaching of skills.
"You always get slightly involved in your players. You have a great pride when they do well because you're trying to get that out of them.
"The whole development side is certainly why I do it. When you see the enjoyment someone gets when they learn how to do something, that's where it's rewarding."
He said parental involvement at junior levels was essential in keeping youth sport alive, but getting the numbers to do so was difficult.
He said coaching was not as daunting as some think. He runs courses for new coaches of Havelock junior teams, and if that's not the right fit, there are other roles to help out in.
"You have to have parents involved. And that's where we're hopefully getting to, but it's where we struggle a little bit.
"It's hugely important. Without parents, junior sport does fade."
