Team Mom's
As a coach and a mom I truly recognize what it takes to have a kid playing a sport. The endless miles of driving to and from practice and games. The endless smelly laundry, the snack bar, fundraisers and food for your family and sometimes the team. I get it !! That is why I have created this page. Whether your are first time or a seasoned "Team Mom", I have created this page to help make your job a little easier. Thank you for all that you do! Your hard work and effort does not go unnoticed and while you may not hear it from coaches at times. Trust me when I say the players are truly grateful!!
Preparing for Practice
Team Mom's Playbook!
Role & Responsibilities
The Team Mom is an assistant to the head coach who helps manage and organize the other activities outside of coaching during the youth football season. I have listed many of the duties and roles I have seen over the years. Each team handles the parents’ involvement differently. Remember this is only an outline of my experience in the past and not a requirement.
The Team Mom works out the details and duties with their Team’s Head Coach, based upon his/her requests and requirements. The basic duties usually include helping with the administrative/organizing for the team, which then allows the coach to concentrate on coaching duties.
Generally, the Team Mom has the following responsibilities (which can also be delegated to other team parents):
Communication with Parents
Often Your teams Youth football Board will communicate important dates and/or events, information, participation needs, expectations to the Team Moms so that the Team Mom can then communicate those things to the players and parents on the team. I highly recommend you start a Shutterfly page, create a “My Shutterfly. Title your page with your team’s name and the year. This way parents can also upload and share pictures.
Team Shirts ( Not all Youth football teams do this)
Tradition has been that normally each team orders t-shirts with their roster on the back
for the players and family to wear when attending games. It is the Team Mom’s responsibility to get the order forms handed out and distributing the shirts.
Picture Day
Most Youth Football Leagues have a designated ‘Media Day’ where the team pictures for the program will be taken however, the Team Mom is responsible for getting the forms handed out. The company that will be offering the pictures should supply the forms prior to picture day. Also don’t stress if one of your players shows up without their packet. The Media company will have plenty on hand the day of pictures.
Equipment
There will be a designated date/ dates and times to pick up the football equipment. However, once the practice season begins, there are items that may need resizing, etc. The Team Mom should work directly with your team’s equipment manager or coach in charge. There may be player who miss equipment pick up so be prepared to accommodate that family.
Roster Sheet
Establish a contact list of all players and parents including email addresses and phone numbers and keep the team informed of practice schedules and/or schedule changes, game schedules, etc. This is where having a go to website set up for all parents ( Suggesting Shutterfly is the easiest) . This will allow them to fill in volunteer sheets, aware of schedule changes, reminders of dates, times and location of practice and games.
Emergency Contact List
Every team should have an emergency contact list that provides at least one primary contact number and at least one backup number in case of any emergency. Some other suggestions/options would be to include a list of any medications, medical conditions, or allergies as well as the player’s primary care doctor’s name and number. I suggest you have a laminated copy of this and keep it in the front of you players book just to have on hand right away.
Volunteer List
Volunteers will be needed for special events and for weekly duties, especially for games hosted at home. It is the Team Mom’s responsibility to make sure that every position is filled. This can be done by having parents sign up on a first come, first serve basis or the Team Mom can assign these duties herself. If parents cannot fulfill their obligation, it is their responsibility to find a replacement.
As I mentioned in the podcast, if you find no one volunteering , go through your list
A-Z and start delegating positions such as Chains, Down Marker, Snack Bar, Must
play sheets, Gate, etc…If that parent cannot fill that position, it becomes their responsibility to fill
it or change dates with another parent. Remember we are all volunteering for our kids.
Snack List
For every game coordinate one family to bring the team a snack. Be sure to either send out a couple of reminders each week leading up to the game for those forgetful parents or assign a backup to keep snacks on hand. We recommend giving out a suggested snack list to all parents and it is always best to avoid any nut items due to allergy.
End of Season Party
Each team will have an end of season party. The Team Mom would coordinate or confirm that proper communications are delivered to all players and parents. It is
important to recruit volunteers and assign/delegate duties as early as possible.
Parties are best at local parks with Picnic tables. Make it a potluck.
Your youth board will supply the trophies. Your youth board will also supply you with
Little Scholar medallions for those who have excelled academically
Coaches Gifts
It is a tradition to get some form of gift for the coaches to show your appreciation.
Some gifts can be personal items, like signed footballs from the team or gift certificates to a store or restaurant. As Team Mom, you should poll the parents and decide whether to purchase a gift and if so what to get, as well as collect money to purchase the gift.
Another gift would be a framed team picture and have all the kids sign it!
Team Mom Gift
I hope your team remembers to thank you for all that you do for the season!
I would like personally to thank you as a coach! You are greatly appreciated and make our job easy so we can just coach!