A guide series – how to help when you don’t know how
Youth sports comes on quick and strong; it’s easy to get swept up into the blur that becomes sports seasons and dirty jerseys and lucky socks that need found before game day. As a mom to athletes, I know how busy the schedule can fill up; between practices and games and figuring out transportation to and from, and when are we even going to fit dinner and homework into the evenings. Then take that times how many ever kid athletes you have – you might be shaking your head saying, “I don’t have time to volunteer! I can barely figure it out just getting my kid to the field/court during the season!”
I get it – believe me: we have six kids, four of which are youth sports aged (which means two that get carted everywhere with a diaper bag full of snacks and wipes). And yet, we figure out a way to help every sports season; every kid; every sport. My husband and I usually coach a team a season (with babies strapped to us), and/or we take part on various board leagues, and/or we help work the concession stands, and then most game days we are one of the last families leaving the field/court while we pick up trash before loading up the van to head home.
I know you don’t have time – but we don’t either, so that’s not really an excuse I take seriously.
Youth leagues need your help – maybe that’s help you can give through:
- time
- money
- talent
- kindness
- a little bit of each of those!
So how, specifically, can you help your youth league when you don’t know how?
When you don’t know where to start?
When you don’t know how to fit it into your schedule?
When you don’t know all the things that might need help with to run a successful youth league?
Volunteer Coach
The most obvious thing that people think of when it comes to youth sports is to be a volunteer coach. Let’s be honest, this is not an easy commitment. First of all, you have to know something about the game and be able to explain that information to young children in a way that is both fun and meaningful. Besides that, coaches are also usually in charge of practice schedules, working with parents, distributing information and schedules, and sending group messages and updates. They are also present at all practices and games/meets with plans and rosters in hand. It’s a big time commitment for at least a few weeks, of course there is a lot of joy that can be found in coaching youth sports like inspiring young people to love the game you love, the laughter and silliness that usually comes from spending time with kids.
It’s no secret though that it’s a lot of time and patience to be a youth league coach and then there’s no paycheck at the end of the rainbow. Yep, you read that right – youth coaches are doing it for FREE. They give up their time, their talents, their passion, their patience, and many of their evenings or weekends for your kid. There’s no shame in recognizing that you might not be cut out for this level of commitment. But do try to remember that someone out there is willing to take on the commitment so that your kid has an opportunity to play. So at least try to be patient and kind with your youth VOLUNTEER coaches.
League board member
Being a board member is a great opportunity to make decisions about how things work in the league without having to work directly with kids and parents. Youth boards are usually made up of a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer and possibly some other committee leads that are particular to that sport. They meet at least monthly to discuss high level decisions like fundraising, event dates, schedules, concerns, and expectations for the league. Sometimes they work with neighboring communities to create new opportunities for games or events.
Board members are nominated and then voted annually or every two years. This position offers a great perspective of all the moving parts it takes to run a youth league. People who are creative, patient, and good at working with others make good league board members.
Financial sponsorship
If you lack time but have a business, then perhaps being a sponsor is a way you can help your local youth leagues. Youth sports are always looking for businesses that are willing to donate financially to the league in a variety of ways as most youth leagues are non-profit organizations finding creative ways to make ends meet. Team sponsors help fund jerseys/uniforms and event costs. Field sponsorships help maintain fields/courts keeping the space safe for play and spectators. Ads in the program help build up the boosters which in turn supports the purchase of new equipment and paying refs/umps. Posters, signs, and jerseys get plastered with local businesses and companies who financially support kids in youth programs. There might even be opportunities to specifically support kids who need financial help with the cost of registration or uniforms too – just reach out to your league board to see if you can set up a fund to support families who want to participate but maybe can’t due to their economic situation.
If all you have to donate to your league is money – please do it, there is always a need for financial support and it is so very appreciated by the league board and the families who spend their weekends at the court or field cheering on their kiddos.
Special Committee Point Person
It takes a lot of moving parts to keep leagues operating and things to go smoothly during the season. Taking the lead position on any task would not only alleviate the pressure for someone else, but it may bring new and creative ideas that would benefit everyone. Any of the following things may be part of your child’s youth league where help would be greatly appreciated by the person currently doing (or wishing it could be done) these various parts of running a successful youth league.
- Concession stand (buying groceries/supplies, cleaning, stocking, working, re-filling, checking inventory, cooking/baking, creating volunteer schedule)
- Jerseys/Uniforms (point of contact, collecting sizes, designing, distributing, maintaining, storing, cleaning, updating)
- Spirit Sale (point of contact, designing, collecting order forms/money, organizing, distributing)
- Fundraisers (planning, organizing, collecting money)
- Volunteer schedule (organizing, communication)
- Ref/ump liaison (ref/ump scheduling, payment)
- Programs (organizing, requesting business ads, requesting happy ads, printing, distributing/selling)
- End of year party/banquet (catering, venue, registration, money collection)
- Group gifts (end of year, seniors/last year, coaches)
- Social media (creating, photos, sharing, monitoring)
- Team photos (taking or photographer contact, collection and distribution)
- Signs and flyers (creating & sharing)
- Business sponsorship request letters (creating, mailing, point of contact)
- Special events (parades, homecoming, opening day)
Ref/Ump
Youth league refs and umps have a tough job. I wrote a whole post about my gratitude for the refs/umps who do the dirty work of managing little kids with big feelings and their parents who sometimes have even bigger feelings. Refs/Umps usually get financially compensated for working youth games and maybe some free food/drink from the concession stand. Ask any ref and they will tell you that the paycheck is not the reason refs/umps are doing the job – they love the game and want to find a way to stay connected to it by helping young people find a passion for it.
If you think you can handle the pressure of being a ref/ump there are some steps you need to take to get certified – but the need is there! Many leagues are struggling to find refs/umps available and willing to take on games during the various seasons. There is always a need in the leagues that my kids participate in during the year. If you have a teenager – this might be a great first ‘job’ for them. Check with your league to see if they can offer suggestions on what steps need to be taken to become certified (training, dues/unions, etc).
Parent Volunteer
If you can only commit occasional time to the league, being a parent volunteer is an easy way to lend a hand. Sometimes volunteering at least once is a requirement for your child to play in the league, which is understandable considering all the things you’ve seen above to keep the league functioning well. Many of the tasks listed below happen weekly during the season and as the adage goes – many hands make light work!
- spend time cooking or serving in the concession stand
- donate baked goods or food/paper products for the concession stand
- sell programs or 50/50 tickets
- Participate in pre-season field prep days (mowing, painting lines, raking, deep cleaning, etc)
- set up the field/court before the games
- participate on the chain gang, line the field, run the scoreboard, announce the games
- clean the field/court bathrooms
- take photos/video and share with the league
Be a good spectator
At the very minimum, you can help your youth sports league by being a good example to other parents and kids in the way you act, react, and interact during games. If you are competitive person, it can be really hard to remember that youth sports are about learning about the game and the fundamentals. Try to keep in mind that the coaches are volunteering, the kids are still kids, everyone is only just learning and growing, and there are no college or pro scouts at the game.
We should all leave youth sporting events with a smile and gratitude- your kid was out there trying, messing up and trying again, learning from mistakes, making memories with teammates, taking advice from an adult, building muscles and endurance, and managing big emotions. They have their whole teen and adult lives to perfect their talent and skill – youth sports is about learning to love the game and love how it feels to play the game!
- cheer and encourage your team in a positive way
- clap and encourage the opposing team (all the players are learning and growing at this level!)
- be kind and patient to the refs
- be kind and encouraging to the coaches
- participate in the cheers/chants/traditions
- buy 50/50 tickets, support the concession stand, buy a program
- clean up the bleachers/stadium before you leave
Thank the helpers
At the most basic, we should be thanking the helpers. The coaches, the board, the refs/umps, the parent volunteers – all these people are putting in time and effort so that our kids can experience something special; so they can learn and grow and compete.
If you want a great league, you first need to help.
