Is it the coach's responsibility to pay for an end-of-season t-ball party or is it appropriate to ask the parents to pay for themselves and their child (ex: pay for their buffet and their child's buffet at a pizza place)??
I own a sports-themed restaurant and we host LOTS of parties like yours. It is very rare for the coach to pay. Usually everybody gets separate checks and they pay for their own family. Sometimes parents will chip in and pay for the coach or coaches.
No, it is not the coach's responsibility to pay for the team and the families buffet at the end of season party. Totally reasonable for everyone to pay their own way. I was always "team mom" for my daughter's teams and we made sure to take up a collection for a nice coach's gift for all the hard work and time they donated to the girls.
Separate checks, or individual orders, OR group buy in on "x" number of pizzas.
Coach sooooo does not foot the bill.
Nope, not the coaches responsibilty...each family pays their own way. Why not have a pot luck at one of the parents homes, if money is an issue for everyone? You can take as long as you want to visit and allow the children to play. Everyone provides the food. (If the coach is willing he/she could provide the hamburgers or hotdogs for everyone) You also have uninterrupted time to give out trophies and awards and discuss whether you will stay together as a team for the next season.
If you are going to CiCi's, they will give discounted rates for groups- just thought I would throw that in there. My husband and I have coached many different teams with our little ones and each time, every parent paid for their own family.
My son has had the same coach for 4 seasons.. whenever the party has been at a pizza place, etc. he was able to get a discounted rate, and we paid for our own buffets, etc. One year he had it at his house, and everyone brought a side dish and the coach provided meat, etc. for the cookout. For sure, the coach is NOT responsible! I always feel like I need to be buying him something at the end of the season. :)
i've been to both. some people have the money... I know if I was coach... i wouldn't have the money.. My son's last coach said there would be an end of year pizza party.. it would be 5. per child... if familes decide to stay .. they wil have to run their own tab.... so many people went..we had a great time... the coach talked to the pizza place upfront.. you figure the 5 dollars will cover on piece of pizza and soda.. he said if you child wants another slice..the cost would be 7 dollars... if you figure it out.. you order pies and pitchers of soda... the 5 dollars or 7 dollars... should be enough to cover a tip too.... good luck
On all the teams we've played on over the years, the parents pay for the party as well as chip in for a coaches gift. Unless it is a paid coaching position, the coach has donated his time and talent to your children and no more should be expected.
I would think parents not the coach. We always had a snack and drinks parents took turns at games but the party should be everyone pitch in. Ginger W
Parents responsibility.
Absolutely NOT the coach's responsibility. He has already volunteered his time and probably a lot of his own money for equipment and other things the team needed. The parents on the team should be treating the coach and his family to the dinner, as well as buying some sort of small gift.
coaches are volunteers they don't get paid. It is very appropriate for the parents to pay for themselves and their children. We had a picnic after each season and sometimes it was at a place where we all paid for our own sometimes it was at a park and we all brought dishes to pass and paid a dollar or two each to pay for the meat.
someone down below mentioned a coaches gift. It is a really good thing to give a gift to the coach he has donated hours and hours and hours of time to your children. We always did this also.
You have already given of your time. A coach should not have to pay for the party. But you should choose something that everyone can afford and that is reasonable and of course age appropriate! You could print out awards for each of the kids -- like best attitude, MVP, etc... and give those to them along with a picture of their child or a team shot for everyone.....the kids and parents tend to love that. But parents expect to chip in for a team party! Have fun!
It is absolutely appropriate for the coach to ask for help in paying for a party. We've been on several teams and it's been done several ways. Once, at a place where you order at a counter and then they had a room we used for our party, so each family paid for their own meal and then we met in the room to celebrate. One mom did bring a cake, but she offered. Another party was at the coach's house. Someone brought a cake, and everyone brought a dish to fill out the party. Other times we've met at a Cici's, again, everyone pays for their own and then you just stake claim to a portion of the restaurant to do your party. A final thought is to have the "party" right after the last game. Just have the normal after game snacks and just plan to hang at the park after the game to celebrate and get trophies.
Everyone should chip in. The Coach should not have to pay for everyone, that would be crazy.
Dear Erinn:
No, it's not the coach's responsibility to pay for the end-of-season party. In fact, for all the time a coach puts in it's appropriate for all the parents to not only pay for themselves and their children, but to also pay for the coach's portion! At least that's what we did when my child played soccer when she was little. Coaching takes time, patience and a lot of energy. Coaches need to be thanked and rewarded for all their hard work!!
Lynn F., mom of a 14-year-old daughter
Wow, that's a really good question and one I probably never would have thought about. I think it's fine to ask the parents to pay for themselves or chip in. Just explain, "I can't foot the bill for all of it" or "I will pay for all the sodas if you can just chip in for the pizzas". I really think, if people aren't willing to chip in, then just skip the party or have a potluck picnic or something. But don't take offense if no one offers - they may not have given it a second thought but would be really willing and ready to give some money if asked.
Everyone pays there on. The coach is not a paid person. Really you thought he should pay?
It has been my experience that when the coach takes the team out for ice cream they have paid for the team (not the family's). It was my assumption they would because they invited everyone to go. If they didn't want to pay then they simply shouldn't extend the offer. When they do it is a very nice gesture but is not necessary. We have been on many of teams that did not celebrate the season and that is perfectly fine too.