Do you give gifts to volunteer parent soccer coaches?

[Anonymous]

My son has paid to join a county soccer for a season. There were 3 parent volunteer coaches for 6 weeks of weekend game with 1x/week practice. What is the culture if I should give them giftcards at the last game?

I have never given any giftcards to any paid classes. However since they are parent volunteer, so I just want to be one of the few not giving giftcards if I should have.

[Anonymous]

Usually a parent (not one of the coaches), organizes a collection and gives a group gift card

[Anonymous]

A 6 week session seems very short for a gift. I'd donate if asked, but I sure wouldn't spearhead anything.

[Anonymous]

Agree with 12:01 - people sometimes do a group collection but typically no one gives individual gifts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A 6 week session seems very short for a gift. I'd donate if asked, but I sure wouldn't spearhead anything.

Agree, kind of short. Usually someone like a coach's spouse or good friend on the team will collect.

[Anonymous]

When my kids did soccer with parent volunteer coaches, I sent an email to the other parents saying I was buying thank you gift cards if anyone wanted to contribute. Every single family did, and the kids all signed a card.

It’s a fair amount of work (takes planning and organizing beyond what you see), so I was grateful people stepped up.

[Anonymous]

I have similar situation with 3 parent coaches for 6 weeks of weekend game with 1x/week practice this season in dmv area. How much should I contribute to the group giftcard? This is the first time we join a new team with a player's parent step up to organize this, so I have no clue how much I should contribute.

We plan to join winter sessions which split into 2 separate seasons with game only (1x/ week for 6 weeks each session with no practice), and coming spring. I wonder if we are expected to contribute for each winter session as well? We plan to stay at this team for the next few years, so it will be fall, winter (2 sessions) and spring. It is a big team for 13 kids for now.

[Anonymous]

My husband has coached and my kids have played sports for years. Sometimes people give individual cards (no $) or an actual gift card. Often there is someone that coordinates a group gift. It’s also okay to not give anything and give a verbal thank you or an email. Nothing is expected but any thanks is appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have similar situation with 3 parent coaches for 6 weeks of weekend game with 1x/week practice this season in dmv area. How much should I contribute to the group giftcard? This is the first time we join a new team with a player's parent step up to organize this, so I have no clue how much I should contribute.

We plan to join winter sessions which split into 2 separate seasons with game only (1x/ week for 6 weeks each session with no practice), and coming spring. I wonder if we are expected to contribute for each winter session as well? We plan to stay at this team for the next few years, so it will be fall, winter (2 sessions) and spring. It is a big team for 13 kids for now.

Directly ask the person collecting. Tell them you know anything is fine but could they please tell you what most people are contributing since this is your first season and you don’t know what is standard. I’ve always received replies when I’ve asked and they have varied widely.

[Anonymous]

Since there are 3 parent coaches & 13 kids in a team, maybe donate $20 for every season? Is $20 considered too little or average or above?

[Anonymous]

Someone usually organizes a gift from the team and I contribute. I appreciate that they volunteer to coach so I don't have to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since there are 3 parent coaches & 13 kids in a team, maybe donate $20 for every season? Is $20 considered too little or average or above?

Average.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A 6 week session seems very short for a gift. I'd donate if asked, but I sure wouldn't spearhead anything.

I disagree. Volunteering is just that.
If you’d prefer to prorate your gift for weeks do that. Or don’t give a gift if it’s 12 or 24 weeks either. Because The sentiment is the same….. “ thank you for taking your personal time to do this task, which you did not have to do, and which you will not get paid, and which you have likely used your personal resources/money for.”

[Anonymous]

People who do not gift their volunteer coaches blow my mind! My husband has coached almost every sport our children have played, and it is unbelievable the amount of time coaches put in. It’s not just that they’re showing up to the practices, they put in hours of their personal time off the field to make sure the team runs smoothly, etc. even more, they have to deal with all the shenanigans when the kids are at a younger age, behavioral issues, etc.

Even a written, thank you note from your self and your child is a good gift.

[Anonymous]

My husband volunteered coaching the rec team My daughter played basketball for.

I know he did a lot - changing his work schedule to get home by practice time, his travel schedule to be home on practice nights, studying before hand on how to coach 7yo girl basketball, buying pinnies and cones and other props; dealing with tantrums, parents coming late, chauffeuring kids home, picking kids up; volunteer training beforehand, meeting with the commissioner, sending emails and texts, setting rotations so it would be fair, giving pep talks. etc.
Having not really dealt with the volunteer kids, sports world before, he was not expecting anything. In fact, he was pretty uncomfortable accepting it. he received a Sports Authority gift card and a toy basketball and photo of the team all signed the frame. So maybe $15 donation from each parent. That was appreciated. That said, thank you. If it was a $20’Starbucks gift card or even just the signed picture would’ve given him same message.