How To Establish Your Michigan Sports Recognition Program

Getting recognition is an important consideration for kids when they decide whether to stay with a sport or move on to the next one. TNS Worldwide recently conducted a survey that reported that more than 76% of parents encourage and support the recognition of a player’s contribution to the game. Aside from receiving awards and recognition, these parents also highlighted feedback from the coach as another strong motivator for children.

Here are some pointers to consider when putting up your own sports recognition program. Whether the program is for school, for the little league, or for your own personal fun, take note of the following guidelines to help make the entire sports experience an enjoyable one for all.

#1 – Plan ahead by looking forward to the end of the season

At the end of this season, what type of recognition program would you want to have? Make sure to check with the sponsorship committee about the availability of ribbons and trophies, and organize a way to collect them this early on. It’s better to have everything you need from the start to avoid disappointing a player later on.

#2 – Keep notes about each player

Throughout the season, maintain a logbook or small notepad about each player’s progress and contribution to the team. You can use any old notebook or you can open up a file using your smartphone. The key is to have the notepad handy so you can jot down notes on the go. Without these notes that track each player’s improvement, it could be hard to assign awards at the end of the season.

#3 – Take action shots of each kid

Ask the help of other parents to catch each kid in an action shot. Choose the best shots and you can have them printed out to go along with the trophy or award to be received at the end of the season.

#4 – Turn it into an event

Don’t just distribute ribbons and certificates like they were report cards. Recognition deserves to be celebrated, so plan an event at the end of the season. This is a perfect way for non-coaching parents to get involved with their kid’s sports life. Distribute assignments and meet regularly to follow up on certain tasks.

#5 – Be specific

The kids deserve serious feedback so don’t just magically come out with feedback. Worse, don’t give generic feedback that won’t help construct the player’s character. This is why taking down notes is very important. Review your notes and dig up certain aspects that each player can focus on.

#6 – Don’t wait until the end to give recognition

Remember that it is better to give recognition regularly because this will create build-up and confidence within each player. You can give feedback and praise after every training session and after every match or game. Point out the positive traits that each player is exhibiting. Next, point out new skills that they can learn, such as discipline and good sportsmanship. Again, be sure to give out specific comments instead of general statements that are non-constructive and vague.

Building your own sports recognition program is not limited to the six items stated above. Feel free to come up with your own tips and share them with fellow coaches and parents. The goal is to come up with a recognition program that will enhance each player’s potential so they can keep recognizing their hidden skills in the years to come. Moreover, this will add to your credibility as a coach.

If you are looking for customizable trophies, medals, plaques, and other suitable awards, you can visit our website at http://www.greatlakestrophies.com. We carry high quality awards for any occasion. You can drop by our shop at 32635 Ford Rd, Garden City, MI. Or you can give us a call at 734-266-1815 to inquire about our large supply of awards and other promotional products.

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