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."
C'mon coach!
Mike Holmes is in his third season coaching Mokoia Intermediate's cricket team. He said the most enjoyable aspect was seeing players progress in their abilities.
"By the end of the season, you've got boys bowling and batting and playing as part of a team. They become good mates, and it's the enjoyment of seeing them do it.
"One of them might hit a four, and to see his face, 'Wow! I didn't think I could hit a ball that far!' It's a great thing, and I wish more parents would get involved."
Mr Holmes, who is the president of Geyser City Cricket, said coaching or volunteering in any sport shouldn't be something that parents were afraid of.
"Just go and see the coach and say, 'I'd like to get involved - I don't know how but I'd like to'.
"You don't have to have played the game to coach the game. Give it a go - you'd be amazed how much enjoyment you get out of it."
