Page 13 | Coaching - not a single thank you

Startyabastard · 06/11/2023 20:49

maxandru · 05/11/2023 10:18

I’m a teacher and take school trips in the holidays every year (unpaid). I have to pay for childcare for my own 2 year old whilst I’m away. Last time, out of 34 kids, only 2 said thank you, and one parent was 90 minutes late to pick up at the airport and didn’t even say thank you, let alone apologise !

I have refused to take a trip this year due to the lack of gratitude from the parents and children.

That's bloody terrible!!!

TheCadoganArms · 06/11/2023 21:22

A typical exchange down the rowing club I coach at.

"Hi, do you offer beginner classes for juniors"

"Yes, we have an eight week course starting next saturday. Three sessions a week led by two qualified coaches. Its £120"

"Oh you charge"

"Well yes, the charge covers the use of all boats and land equipment, petrol for the launches, insurance, snacks and refreshments and the coaches time"

"Will you do it for £50"

"No"

"£60"

"It does not work like this, the price is fixed and we feel it is a fair"

"That's expensive"

"Your son will be coached by two former olympic athletes and we are cheaper then x,w and z clubs down the road"

"What days are the sessions?"

"Saturday and Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings"

"Oh Charlie can't do Wednesdays as he has football, can you change it to thursday"

"No, we can't do that"

"You are not very flexible are you"

"There are 11 other kids on the course, we are not going to switch days to accommodate the needs of one person"

"Can you coach him separately"

"No"

"If he only does the weekend sessions only will you charge less"

Etc etc

Throw into the mix the regular very late pick ups after sessions because someone's oh so important job means the coaches have to wait with said children until the parent arrives without so much as an apology or any appreciation that maybe the coach would like to go home too. Or badgering the coaches to select their kids in certain positions, not telling coaches they are on holiday thus buggering up any training plans with a no show.

DevonWindyWeather · 07/11/2023 12:14

TheCadoganArms · 06/11/2023 21:22

A typical exchange down the rowing club I coach at.

"Hi, do you offer beginner classes for juniors"

"Yes, we have an eight week course starting next saturday. Three sessions a week led by two qualified coaches. Its £120"

"Oh you charge"

"Well yes, the charge covers the use of all boats and land equipment, petrol for the launches, insurance, snacks and refreshments and the coaches time"

"Will you do it for £50"

"No"

"£60"

"It does not work like this, the price is fixed and we feel it is a fair"

"That's expensive"

"Your son will be coached by two former olympic athletes and we are cheaper then x,w and z clubs down the road"

"What days are the sessions?"

"Saturday and Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings"

"Oh Charlie can't do Wednesdays as he has football, can you change it to thursday"

"No, we can't do that"

"You are not very flexible are you"

"There are 11 other kids on the course, we are not going to switch days to accommodate the needs of one person"

"Can you coach him separately"

"No"

"If he only does the weekend sessions only will you charge less"

Etc etc

Throw into the mix the regular very late pick ups after sessions because someone's oh so important job means the coaches have to wait with said children until the parent arrives without so much as an apology or any appreciation that maybe the coach would like to go home too. Or badgering the coaches to select their kids in certain positions, not telling coaches they are on holiday thus buggering up any training plans with a no show.

All very self entitled questions lacking awareness of the needs of others.
Awful isn't it

XelaM · 07/11/2023 13:33

TheCadoganArms · 06/11/2023 21:22

A typical exchange down the rowing club I coach at.

"Hi, do you offer beginner classes for juniors"

"Yes, we have an eight week course starting next saturday. Three sessions a week led by two qualified coaches. Its £120"

"Oh you charge"

"Well yes, the charge covers the use of all boats and land equipment, petrol for the launches, insurance, snacks and refreshments and the coaches time"

"Will you do it for £50"

"No"

"£60"

"It does not work like this, the price is fixed and we feel it is a fair"

"That's expensive"

"Your son will be coached by two former olympic athletes and we are cheaper then x,w and z clubs down the road"

"What days are the sessions?"

"Saturday and Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings"

"Oh Charlie can't do Wednesdays as he has football, can you change it to thursday"

"No, we can't do that"

"You are not very flexible are you"

"There are 11 other kids on the course, we are not going to switch days to accommodate the needs of one person"

"Can you coach him separately"

"No"

"If he only does the weekend sessions only will you charge less"

Etc etc

Throw into the mix the regular very late pick ups after sessions because someone's oh so important job means the coaches have to wait with said children until the parent arrives without so much as an apology or any appreciation that maybe the coach would like to go home too. Or badgering the coaches to select their kids in certain positions, not telling coaches they are on holiday thus buggering up any training plans with a no show.

Wow this is shocking. I must say, it does not happen with my daughter's show jumping club. The yard owner would not tolerate any of that crap. Maybe horse people are lot more direct/scary and don't take any shit (it's also a lot more expensive than £120!).

LadyChilli · 10/11/2023 21:54

Diorama1 · 01/11/2023 10:06

I have been coaching for about 5 years now but this year I took on a role as head coach to an U16 girls football group. The season was 18 weeks long, we had about 40 training sessions, 9 matches. We got to a final at the weekend which unfortunately we lost but was still a great achievement
.
I did 16 hours coaching training to upskill my coaching qualification. I spent many hours planning training, organizing matches, recruiting new players. We got 7 new players this season, no other team in the club has done this.

Our season is over now and I put up a message on the team chat (for parents) to say well done to the all girls, it was great to coach them etc and not a single response did I get. Not a single thank you for your time.

I gave up 2/3 evenings a week, rushing home from work, no dinner and straight to the pitch. I put in a huge effort to ensure the girls were trained well, were fit, skills improved, confidence build as individuals and as a team.

I understand that people who havent coached before dont understand the level of time commitment it takes but they do see the training and matches.

WTF is wrong is people. I dont coach for thanks as I know you dont get it but seriously AIBU in thinking it is just plain rude and entitled.

I wanted to say that this thread made me think when I read it that I've never properly thanked the sports coaches etc who give up their time for the many clubs DS goes to, though I am inwardly very grateful. I've been messaging them this week to say thank you as a direct result of reading your thread. So to answer your original question you were not being unreasonable at all, but please don't think you're not appreciated. Thanks for bringing it to my attention and hopefully others!