Focus on the Coach

Volunteer coaches are at the heart of youth sports. They invest countless hours mentoring, teaching, and supporting young athletes — often without pay and alongside busy personal lives. But today’s youth sports environment is increasingly challenging for those who show up with good intentions.

Balancing Time and Responsibility

Most volunteer coaches are giving their time in addition to full-time jobs, family responsibilities, and other commitments. Planning structured practices, communicating with families, understanding age-appropriate drills, and organizing game day logistics can quickly become overwhelming—especially without dedicated time or support.

Coaches Are Burning Out — and Many Are Considering Quitting

The 2025 National Coaches Survey by the U.S. Center for SafeSport revealed alarming signs of strain among the adults who guide our young athletes. While most coaches still find coaching personally meaningful, a large share report feeling overwhelmed and under pressure.(2025 National Coaches Survey Report)

• Nearly 85 % of coaches report experiencing burnout in their coaching role — a condition marked by emotional exhaustion, frustration, and decreased satisfaction.

• About 65 % of respondents have seriously considered quitting coaching altogether because of the stresses and demands they face.

These numbers show that burnout and thoughts of leaving are not rare exceptions — they’re a widespread reality for many who serve kids in sport.

Lack of Training or Resources

Being a great coach isn’t just about knowing the sport — it’s about teaching, motivating, and supporting young athletes. Yet many volunteers don’t have access to training in coaching fundamentals, positive communication, or youth development, leaving them uncertain about how to handle skill development, conflict, or diverse needs on their team. Resources and support for training and education was the top suggestion in the 2025 National Coaches Survey for improving the coaching experience. (2025 National Coaches Survey Report)

Emotional Labor and High Expectations

Parents often bring different expectations about playing time, competitiveness, and outcomes. Volunteer coaches can find themselves mediating expectations, managing frustration, and maintaining positive team culture — all without formal support or compensation. This emotional labor can be just as demanding as planning practices or game strategy. The 2025  National Coaches Survey showed that parents are the most identified source of verbal harassment, abuse, and even threats. (2025 National Coaches Survey Report)

Financial and Logistical Barriers

Even though volunteering doesn’t typically require payment, there can be out-of-pocket costs for training, team supplies, field fees, or equipment. Volunteers may also struggle with transportation challenges, scheduling conflicts, or limited access to facilities. These barriers can deter even passionate, committed community members from stepping into coaching roles.

Why This Matters

Volunteer coaches are the backbone of community sports. They create safe spaces where kids can play, grow, and belong. Yet when the role feels overwhelming or unsupported, many potential coaches step back — and teams go uncoached or under-resourced.

At Game On, we recognize that supporting coaches is essential — not just recruiting them. When coaches feel prepared, confident, and connected to resources and training, they are better able to foster inclusive, positive experiences for every child.

How Game On Helps Coaches Thrive

To address these challenges, Game On provides:

• Tips to simplify coaching

• Connections to coaching resources and practice plans

• Communication tools and templates to simplify team management

In the future, we hope to provide:

• Mentorship and peer support networks (Join below!)

• Training workshops on youth development and inclusive coaching

• Equipment grants and stipend opportunities

We believe that by empowering coaches, we empower entire teams — and ultimately, communities. When volunteers feel supported, kids benefit from better experiences, greater confidence, and lifelong love of sport.