Being a team parent is a lot of fun – and often a lot of work! You’ll get to cheer on your kids as they learn new skills and make those first-in-a-lifetime plays, and you’ll become part of a close-knit group of like-minded parents and community members. However, you might also be tapped to print team shirts, run a carpool, handle snacks, or help kids finesse their ball skills. If you’re nervous about what to expect, here’s how to make sure you have a great sports season.
- Get organized. Know when training sessions and games are happening and put them in your calendar. (A printed or digital calendar graphic that can be shared around with the team is a big help!) Make sure you have all the essential gear, including safety equipment like mouthguards. If you have extras, contribute them to a “share” pool for other kids to use.
- Get contact details! Have a way to get in touch with coaches or other key team members and gather email and phone number details of other parents. A group chat or group email will help everyone stay in the loop (but don’t go overboard with it).
- Know your duties. Teams differ in what they expect from team parents. 3-year-old Little League is going to be more hands-off than a competitive high school baseball team that travels every weekend. Define duties and expectations, and make sure that essential roles like timekeeping or transportation are filled – with backups!
- Brush up on your knowledge. Now is a great time to do a refresher on first aid basics or to do a deep dive into your child’s chosen sport. Make sure that you understand basic terminology and any skills your child will need to know to enjoy their season.
- Support the coaches. The coaches are there to help your child play their best and have a good time. Support their efforts and work to keep the atmosphere relaxed and fun. Parents can really shape the overall atmosphere of team sports, so leave that competitive streak at home. Be generous with the “thank you’s” and avoid drama!
- Know (and stick to) budgets. Budgets can vary depending on the community, the size of the group, and what level athletes are playing at. Figure out an overall budget, then divide it by the total number of players on the team. You can seek outside funding, for example from local businesses, or fundraise within the team parent community and their network.
Need to Raise Funds? Use MoneyDolly!
We’re not talking professional sports here, but even a casual sports team can benefit from a budget – and some fundraising goals. Things you might want to fundraise for include:
- Uniforms and equipment
- Transportation and accommodation
- Snacks and beverages
- Trophies and prizes
- Gifts for Coaches
- Picture day photography
- End-of-season parties
But don’t be daunted! Thanks to MoneyDolly, it’s never been easier to share the fundraising load – and meet your program goals. Our easy-to-use fundraising platform is designed to help team parents and other small groups raise money for a season or event without having to go door to door or ask parents to scrounge around for spare change. You can run events, accept donations, sell your own (or our) products, and seamlessly take payment from all the most popular vendors. And if you’re like most of our users, you’ll make 35% more than if you’d run a traditional fundraiser. Just set up your fundraiser online or via our app and watch the money roll in!
