Q: This is my first time as a team parent. What are my responsibilities?
Each league is different, but here is a list of the duties most often required of the team parent.
Make a duty roster for the other team parents to bring snacks for each game. Players will always bring their water bottle to each game as well as to each
practice. At the game half-time, AYSO recommends orange slices for the players. One parent will bring cooled orange slices while
another parent will serve snacks and drinks after the game. Snacks and drinks may be further split between two parents. You may want to call or e-mail
parents a few days before when it's their turn.
Start the phone tree in case of changes in practice time or location or cancellation of games or practices. Some coaches may prefer to do this rather than the
team parent.
Copying and distributing practice and game schedules.
Coordinating all aspects (forms, location, times) for pictures.
Coordinating a team gift for the coaches at the end of the season.
Coordinating the team awards (trophies, medals, soccer balls) in case the league does not furnish you trophies.
Decide where and what type of team party the team will have after the season. See the notes below concerning team parties.
Q: What will I get in return?
You will get to be part of the team. I have always felt that the team parent should receive a team trophy just like the coaches.
You will get the coaches' undying devotion.
You may get a small gift at the end of the year.
Your child will get to see a real role model in action. It is important that we show our children that you don't always do something in order to receive a reward.
Q: Is there anything else I will have to do?
As a general rule nothing else is really expected of you. In some cases the team parent will take up a collection of enough money to provide drinks or Popsicles
after each practice. In the summer almost anything cold will work.
You may become a lightning rod for comments about the coach or coaches but this is not part of the team parent job description, so don't put yourself in the
position of a go-between the parents and the coaches. You are a team parent not the team manager.
Q: What kind of gift is the team expected to give to the the coaches after the season?
That varies from league to league but most coaches do not expect anything of excessive value and would probably be embarrassed if an expensive gift was given
them. A sentimental or unique gift which reminds them of the team is best. Some of the best gifts are: framed pictures of the team, a ball, plaque or picture autographed
by all the team members, or a small trophy.
Special Notes:
There is no rule that the team parent must be a 'mom'. There have been plenty of team dads in recent years who have done a good job just as there have been
plenty of female coaches who have excelled in what was primarily a male coach's role in the past.
Do not let yourself become a babysitter at practices or games or a taxi service for parents who can not get their children to games or practices.
In today's litigious society you should also be sure that you are not alone with any child that is not your own. Always have a second adult on hand.
Stay organized. Be sure to have a calendar available for team dates as parents will often call and ask for time and dates of games or practices since they have
lost their own schedule.
If you are giving a hand-out to players at practice be sure to write the name of the player on the top of the page. By doing that you will be sure that everyone
gets a copy and there are no questions when a parent later complains that you did not give a copy to their child. At younger ages it makes sense to place the hand-out
or envelope directly in the parent's hands when possible.
There is a website that allows you to order Team Parent Handbook and Software. Several excerpts are shown here:
http://teammom.net/excerpt.htm
Revised from Ken Gamble - DecaturSports
November 1998
To My Soccer Kid
The following poem was written by a proud soccer mom, Leslie Prichard, of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She
has two girls who have played AYSO soccer for about six years. Leslie has also coached for four years.
Soccer balls and soccer games,
Sometimes I think I'll go insane.
Bouncing through the house all day
In your soccer player way,
I've watched you grow as you play
In many, many important ways.
You've learned to run, dribble and shoot.
You've learned to juggle and make quick moves.
All of this does make a good player,
But there's more than that in playing soccer.
You've learned to work as part of a team,
Even when you wanted to scream.
You've learned to always believe in yourself
And not give up when it's seven-zip.
You've learned that you don't always win
And when you fall you get up again.
I really do love to watch you play.
That's why I'm at the fields all day. From Soccer Now - Winter 2002
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