The Unsung Heroes Behind Your Child’s Sport — How a Simple ‘Thank You’ Can Make All the Difference

Today, I had the privilege of attending a knowledge exchange seminar at the University of Ulster. The theme was simple but powerful: Where do we see coaching in sport in Northern Ireland in 2025? The room was filled with researchers, policy makers, national governing bodies, and coaches — all coming together to reflect, share ideas, and strategise on how we can strengthen the delivery of sport coaching across Northern Ireland.

One of the keynote speakers was Julian North, Director of the Centre for Sport Coaching and Professor in Sport Coaching at Leeds Beckett University. Among his many insights, one question struck a particular chord with me:
"How much are coaches valued in clubs and society?"

When we think about the people who coach our children week in, week out — many of them volunteers — we have to ask:

• How often do they hear 'thank you'?

• How regularly are their efforts acknowledged?

• Do parents, clubs, and even the children themselves always recognise the commitment these coaches give?

The reality, sadly, is that coaches are often undervalued. And yet, they continue to show up, driven not by praise, but by passion. If recognition and validation were the only rewards, we wouldn’t have many volunteer coaches left.

How can we show our coaches more value?

The answer isn’t complicated. It’s about the small, genuine gestures that remind them their efforts matter. Here are some simple ways we can start:

For parents:

• Say thank you after each session.

• Send a message of appreciation every now and then.

• Drop in with a coffee or a small treat to say, “Thanks for your time and effort.”

For clubs:

• Host an annual coaches' recognition evening or a simple coffee morning to celebrate their work.

• Present a small token of appreciation at the end of the season — nothing grand, but something thoughtful.

• Create opportunities for coaches to upskill and grow, showing them the club is invested in their development.

For coaches themselves:

• Don’t forget to say thank you to the parents who make the effort to bring their kids each week.

• Acknowledge the children for turning up and giving it their best.

• Build a culture where gratitude flows in all directions.

These gestures may cost little in terms of money or time, but they can make a world of difference in how valued a coach feels. And when coaches feel supported and appreciated, the knock-on effect is huge: better coaching, stronger clubs, and most importantly, a more positive experience for the children.

A simple truth

At its core, coaching is about people. It's about building relationships, nurturing potential, and creating environments where kids can fall in love with sport. Valuing coaches doesn’t require big campaigns or expensive programmes — it starts with simple, human moments of appreciation.

Let’s not wait for another seminar to remind us of this. Let’s start today.

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