Your coach deserves meaningful recognition, based on the effort put forth and the quality of the experience he or she has created for the team. Determining the size and type of appropriate recognition entails several steps. First, you need to ask yourself some questions. How much time did the coach give to the team? What was his/her commitment and enthusiasm level? Did he/she have a love for the game and passion for the team? What was his/her knowledge level and did he/she successfully share that with team members? Most importantly, did he/she display good sportsmanship and act as a good role model?

Next, you should talk to your coach and ask some questions. Find out his/her other interests.  Get ideas about what might be useful or meaningful to your coach. With that information, you can select an appropriate way to recognize him/her.

Last, you need to determine your budget. Will each team member be contributing for the coach gifts? If so, how much? Establishing a budget early on will determine the level of gift you can give. 

How can you recognize your coach in a meaningful way?

Smaller gift ideas include thank you cards, flowers, a small gift card, a small coach trophy, a signed team ball, an engraved coffee mug, or a small coach plaque. You can also combine small things around one theme. For example, you can put a Starbucks gift card in a personalized coffee mug.

Larger gift ideas to consider include a gift certificate to the coach’s favorite store, restaurant, or movie theater. More personalized gifts are a picture plaque with a photo of the team, an engraved clipboard, clothing signed by each team member, a signed team ball with display case, a book about the sport with messages from each team member, or a gold  whistle or silver whistle in a wood box.

If your coach has gone above and beyond, consider a nice piece of embroidered clothing, a 24k gold whistle in a walnut box, a scrapbook or slideshow with photos, memories, and personalized messages. A combination of the above ideas will also be appreciated. For example, get the coach a larger gift certificate, or something relevant to his or her unique interests and hobbies.

Personal calls or messages at the end of the season can be as important as tangible gifts.
Coaches provide guidance, leadership and more to their players. Regardless of the size of your budget, you can find something that acknowledges and recognizes your coach in a meaningful way.

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