As a father, you are always involved in your children’s sporting life. It has always been that way, and it will always be that way because you are the man. You are the one who loves all sport and knows more about it, so you are the one who has to take responsibility. So, you have recently succeeded in setting up a local sports team for the kids, and now you have to take on the role of the manager. Looking after a dozen kids and keeping them happy isn’t easy, which is why you need to treat it with respect. Here are a few things you need to know about running a sports team.
You Need The Right Equipment
Being a good manager is about logistics. There are certain pieces of equipment that you will need so that everyone can play. All you have to do is take a look at the sport and write down everything the kids need to participate. Take baseball as an example. They need a bat, a glove, a ball, pads and a uniform. Then, take a look at websites like Youth Baseball Gloves and see what you can find at an affordable price. Also, make sure you have enough to go around. There is nothing worse than sharing kit and equipment.
You Need To Make It Enjoyable
Kids don’t like pressure or stress. As they are kids, they love to run around without a care in the world. It is all about enjoyment for them, and you need to realize that very quickly. A manager that makes it about winning and results is going to lose the faith of his players. Before you know it, the kids won’t want to play anymore and the team will have to fold. A good manager places the emphasis on fun and enjoyment over everything else.
Involve Everyone
Invariably, there will be kids who are better than others. At an early age, height and weight can count for a lot because some kids won’t be big or strong enough to compete. Still, that doesn’t mean that they cannot play. Of course, you will have your best team and they will start most games. But, the players on the bench need to get a chance, too. Make sure they at least get twenty to thirty minutes per match by rotating them as much as possible.
Get The Support Of The Local Community
You are the manager, but you cannot do everything alone. At some point, you will need some help to make sure that everything goes smoothly. The other parents are normally happy to do their bit, as long as they don’t have too much responsibility! Ask them come to games and provide food and drink at the intervals. Also, ask them if they could organize travel and carpool. The other parents are a Godsend at times, even if it doesn’t seem that way at the start!
Ask For Feedback
Remember that you are a rookie. You are only doing it to help out the kids, so you cannot expect to be the best. Constructive criticism is a good way of working on your flaws and becoming a better manager for the kids.
