An Open Letter to the Deserving Coach

Coaching can be a thankless job.

You put in 4 to 6 hours a week of practices, 10 to 15 hours a week of games, 4 to 6 hours a week of scheduling, practice planning, parent management, individual player development, etc., but still get undermined by parents, criticized by fans and disrespected by players and opponents.  

Despite the extra hours (that you are likely not compensated for), and the constant stress of managing a team of 12 different personalities and 12 sets of parents breathing down your neck every game, you continue to invest your time, talent and treasure into developing young athletes and people.

But why??

You have a family, a full-time job and a social life that also demand your time. Why would you continue to give up your nights and weekends to coach a team that oftentimes doesn’t recognize the sacrifices you make for them?

I know why…

You see in these kids, POTENTIAL.

Potential to grow in their sport as athletes, leaders and teammates.

You understand the potential opportunities that will present themselves through the sport, such as college scholarships, jobs and positive relationships.

You see the potential leaders these kids could be in the world, so you want to teach them how the game relates to life.

You realize there are few people in this world that could make the kind of sacrifices you do to help cultivate the potential of our youth, and you know it is your responsibility to be the one to do it.

And simply, you do it because you love to see the pure JOY these kids experience on an off the field. A kind of joy that only this game can provide.

That joy reminds you why you fell in love with this game and how important it is to see the game continue to grow and touch the lives of future generations the way it has touched you.

While I know there will be days you will question your sanity, and feel as though your efforts are not recognized, but please know there are so many people out there rooting for you and admiring your fortitude and dedication to the game.

Sometimes you may feel you have impacted no one in this game, but that is simply not true. You have the power to impact a player’s life every time you step foot on the field.

I encourage you to keep coaching, teaching and inspiring our next generation of young athletes, because these kids need you and they need this game.

Thank you for everything you do!

Sincerely your biggest fan,

Coach Tina