The Benefits of Community Within Our Teams

Youth soccer isn’t just about wins and losses; if that were the case every game day would see half the teams and players accomplish nothing.  Instead, it’s about the many things that young players can carry with them long after the game ends or they stop playing.  Character development, resilience, confidence, humility, and lifelong friendships…becoming better humans!

As parents and coaches, we can help our players build these attributes by fostering a sense of community around their team. Research has shown that being involved in something which provides athletes with a sense of community can lead to members feeling a sense of belonging, attachment, and interest in common goals or values, and increase their chances of success.

Building a strong community within youth soccer is like nurturing the roots of a flourishing tree. But it is not something that will be created by accident.  Building community does require some action from everyone involved.  Here are three key areas to explore:

Creating a Positive Environment:

• Parents: When parents actively engage with the soccer community, they contribute to a positive atmosphere. Their support, encouragement, and enthusiasm matter. Cheering from the sidelines, attending games, and celebrating small victories all foster a sense of community.
• Players: For young athletes, feeling part of a supportive community enhances their overall experience. It’s not just about the game; it’s about the camaraderie, shared goals, and friendships formed on and off the field.
• Coaches: Coaches play a pivotal role in shaping the environment. They set the tone for respect, teamwork, and inclusivity. When coaches prioritize community-building, players thrive.

Personalized Development:

• Parents: Encourage your child’s unique journey. Understand that each player has different strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. Celebrate progress, whether it’s mastering a new skill or showing resilience after a tough match.
• Players: Embrace your individual growth. Soccer isn’t just about winning; it’s about learning, improving, and enjoying the process. Be open to feedback from coaches and teammates—they’re part of your soccer family.
• Coaches: Tailor your guidance. Recognize that every player has distinct needs. Some thrive on competition, while others need gentle encouragement. By understanding each player, you foster a sense of belonging.

Fostering a Sense of Community:

• Parents: Connect with other soccer families. Attend team events, organize carpooling, and build relationships beyond the game. When parents form bonds, players benefit from a network of support.
• Players: Be a good teammate. Celebrate your peers’ successes, console them during setbacks, and create a positive locker room vibe. Remember, you’re part of something bigger—a soccer family.
• Coaches: Organize team-building activities. Whether it’s team dinners, community service projects, or fun outings, these experiences strengthen bonds. Players who feel connected perform better.

Soccer Parenting-Building Community Challenge

Here is a quick take on community within soccer teams from Skye Eddy, founder of our partner Soccer Parenting.  She wrote this as a part of Soccer Parenting’s new CREATE-6 Steps to Being a More Inspiring and Empowering Sports Parent campaign. CREATE asks parents and coaches to focus on Community, Reflection, Education, Accountability, Trust, and Engagement, to improve the experience and raise the value of youth sports.

In today’s society, when families are busier than ever, when children are generally over scheduled, and when family calendars look like a jumbled mess of work responsibilities, birthday parties, sporting events, school functions and more – establishing a sense of community on a sports team requires some effort.

When I speak to parents about how they feel about their relationships with the other parents on their child’s team – parents tell me they don’t know the other parents well, many are not even sure which parents belong to which player. If we want to take the emphasis away from a culture of focusing too much on winning and results, we must create a culture that focuses on life lessons, friendships, and community.

Maybe the parents on your child’s team are all good friends! Or maybe you’re all friendly, but don’t really know one another outside of soccer (other than the families your kids are in school with). Alternately, maybe you don’t even know the names of many of the parents on the team! Regardless of your level of “Community” on the team – it can always get better.

So, what are you going to do about it? I challenge you to choose one of the actions below, or to come up with one of your own…. Something you can do NEXT TIME to help facilitate a stronger Sense of Community with the families of your child’s team:

• Bring doughnuts for the sideline (parents and trailing siblings, not players!)
• Have a chat on the sidelines with a parent you don’t know very well.
• Ready to go “all in” – HAVE A PARTY!!! Family potluck at a local park, or at your house.
• Take some pictures during the game and upload them to your team communication tool.

Click here explore the entire campaign from Soccer Parenting.

Here are some additional resources to explore:

• Red Bull Youth-Making a Community Impact Through Youth Soccer
• Youth Sports Psychology-How Building Community Boosts Confidence in Youth Sports

To review, youth soccer is about much more than wins and losses so, let’s kick off this upcoming season with a vibrant soccer community—one where everyone feels valued and connected!