In many cases parents help pay for the patches or buy the patches for the coach.
The approach that seems to work best to get parents to help pay for the patches is:
- If you are a Travel Team coach you probably don't have a concern about asking parents to pay for things because Travel Team parents are used to donating money to the team, and the patches are a cheap to motivate players and have more fun. However, Rec parents aren't used to paying for anything, and some don't care, so it needs to be approached in the right way. Keep in mind that if you "ask permission" or take a vote, there is a good chance someone will be opposed. The reason won't matter - it could be a fear that some kids might be rewarded more than others or the idea that incentives are bad or that rewarding individual achievements is bad (possibly for fear their kid might not be the best), but if you are a Rec coach and ask permission and some parent opposes the idea, then you probably can't do it. We've sold over 2 million patches and you can read over 200 Testimonials for the patches on SoccerHelp, so a great number of coaches use the patch motivational reward system and buy the patches regularly. It is a proven, inexpensive, easy, fun motivational program that works.
- Keep in mind that there are different types of parents. Some want to help and some don't. Some are well off and some aren't. Some appreciate a good coach and some don't. Some would like their child to have a good soccer experience, and some just see it as a way for their kid to get some exercise. Some want the team to play well and be competitive and some don't care. Think about who has offered to help, the parents whose kids are good players, those who would like to see the team do well, those who appreciate you coaching the team, those who come to practice, and those who are financially well off - they are the ones who are most likely to support your efforts and contribute to buy the patches.
- Unless you have used the patches before with your team, first either buy some patches yourself or ask a parent or several of the parents who you know support you to buy some patches for the team. This will allow you to try the patches so the parents can see how much the players love them and how the patches motivate the players. Don't call a group meeting, because you would have to invite everyone and some parents might feel pressured. Tell the parents who you think might buy the patches about the patches and how you think they can help the team and ask them to go to SoccerHelp.com to look at the patches and to read the 200 Patch Testimonials.
- The parents will quickly see the benefits of using the patches.
- Once the parents have seen the benefits from the first order of patches, individually talk to the parents who are likely to support you and tell them you want to continue the patch reward program, but that you need help to do so. Don't call a group meeting, because you would have to invite everyone and some parents might feel pressured. Tell the parents you call what you have in mind and that you are hoping to find several parents to sponsor the patch reward program. Don't ask everyone to donate a specific amount such as $5 because some parents might feel pressured. If you ask if anyone wants to be a sponsor, you might get one or two parents who will pay for the patches. If I was a parent on your team I would be glad to be a sponsor in appreciation for all the work you do as the coach. If a parent contributes $77 to buy 200 patches (or $70 if you use the 10% off Coupon Code from Premium or from Coach Doug's site), that isn't much money for a lot of people. A lot of people would rather make a donation than coach the team.
- To Explain the Motivational Patch Reward Program, ask the parents who are receptive to go to SoccerHelp.com and look at the patches, read the 200 Patch Testimonials at and read how the patches can be used in a motivational program at SoccerHelp's Patch Handout (the Sample Patch Handouts page).
- If you know some of the parents well, or if some are big supporters, ask them if they would contribute.
- Be careful not to give the impression that you are collecting money or pressuring parents. Some leagues are sensitive to that because they are worried about some sort of scandal. You don't want a parent calling to complain because they feel pressured to contribute.
- Another idea is to let the parents or Team Mom or Team Manager know that if they are going to buy you a present at the end of the season, that you would rather they buy some patches so you can use them this season to help the team.