Introduction
Christmas Day. A moment to pause.
“Best part about this community.”
What are you grateful for in your coaching journey?
The Hidden Rewards
Beyond the Obvious
Coaching rewards often mentioned:
- Winning games
- Player development
- Trophy moments
- Recognition
But deeper rewards exist.
The Real Gifts
What coaches cherish most:
- Relationships built
- Growth witnessed
- Impact made
- Purpose found
Gratitude Categories
Players
Grateful for:
- Their trust
- Their effort
- Their growth
- Their personalities
- The privilege of coaching them
You didn’t have to be their coach. They didn’t have to have you.
The match-up is a gift.
Parents
Even challenging ones teach something.
Grateful for:
- Those who support
- Those who trust
- Those who volunteer
- Those who understand
Fellow Coaches
“I always learn something from your posts.”
Others on the journey:
- Share their knowledge
- Offer perspective
- Provide support
- Challenge thinking
Coaching community is a gift.
The Game
Football itself:
- Universal language
- Development vehicle
- Joy creator
- Purpose provider
We get to spend time with the beautiful game.
Opportunities
The chance to:
- Influence young people
- Develop ourselves
- Be part of something bigger
- Create memories
Not everyone gets this chance.
Practising Coaching Gratitude
Post-Session Reflection
After every session, note:
- One thing that went well
- One player interaction that mattered
- One thing you’re grateful for
Three minutes. Significant impact.
Season Journaling
At season end, record:
- Favourite moments
- Growth witnessed
- Relationships built
- Lessons learned
Future you will thank present you.
Player Appreciation
Regularly consider:
- What each player brings
- How they’ve grown
- What you’ll miss when they leave
Appreciation changes how you coach them.
Community Acknowledgement
Tell people in your coaching community:
- What they’ve contributed
- How they’ve helped
- Why they matter
Expressed gratitude multiplies.
When Gratitude Is Hard
Challenging Seasons
Some seasons are tough:
- Losing streaks
- Difficult parents
- Player departures
- Club politics
Gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring difficulty.
Finding Gratitude Anyway
Even in hard seasons:
- What are you learning?
- Who has supported you?
- What opportunities exist?
- What will you value when it’s over?
The Perspective Shift
“One day you’ll coach your last session.”
Every session is finite. Every player relationship ends.
This awareness creates gratitude.
A Christmas Coaching Reflection
This Year
What happened this year that you’re grateful for?
- New players
- Developed relationships
- Learned concepts
- Achieved goals
- Overcame challenges
This Community
Who has contributed to your journey?
- Fellow coaches
- Mentors
- Players
- Parents
- Club volunteers
This Opportunity
Why are you grateful to coach?
- Impact made
- Purpose found
- Joy experienced
- Growth achieved
Conclusion
Christmas Day. Pause from coaching.
But coaching doesn’t pause from mattering.
“Best part about this community.”
The people. The journey. The growth. The purpose.
Grassroots coaching is undervalued by the world.
But those who do it know the real value.
Today, be grateful for your coaching journey.
Tomorrow, continue building it.
Merry Christmas, coaches.