Parents the Unsung Heroes of Successful Sports Teams
Posted by Dave Johnson on January 29th 2008 in Team Communication
Be it youth basketball, soccer, hockey, golf, lacrosse or volleyball, positive parent participation is essential to the success of the team. In our chosen sport of Nordic skiing, parent participation means the difference between a great season and a mediocre season. Here at Marshall Nordic we are lucky to have outstanding parents who give freely of their time and talents to support their child’s sport. So far this season the Marshall Nordic parents have been the essential ingredient to the success of three major team events, the Marshall Holiday Ski Camp, Marshall Sprints and the Duluth/CXC Super Tour Sprints.
What makes a great parent volunteer? How can a coach nurture the parent/team connection? These are two very important questions that every coach needs to answer for their specific sport or team.
The #1 attribute of a great parent volunteer is a willingness to contribute their time and talents for the good of the team. One of our most precious possessions is our time; when a parent donates their time it is a gift of great value. The wise coach understands this and makes sure that every moment the parent volunteers is used wisely in endeavors that make a solid contribution to the team or event.
Match talents to the tasks needed to be performed. Every
parent has a unique skill set; matching that skill set to the tasks that need to be performed is another key to success. I am lucky to have a skilled mechanic who loves to build and design equipment for the team, when I ask for his help, it is always in the area of his expertise. Likewise I have a mom this year who doesn’t like spending time in the cold; her passion is food and hospitality. Recognizing her talents and keeping her inside and warm utilizes her abilities to the best advantage of all.
Communication: Like all great relationships, communication between a coach and the team parents is key to a successful volunteer program. If parents know there is a specific need and have the information that they need to complete the task, then they will step forward to help. Setting up an email list, website or phone messaging line that your parents can access is essential to building the parent/team connection.
What else do you feel is essential to the success of the parent/team connection? If you are a coach, what systems have you set up to help your parents connect in meaningful ways? If you are a parent, what needs to be in place before you will volunteer your time and energy to a team? I would love to hear your comments, post a comment to share your thoughts and ideas.
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