The last game is done, the end-of-season party is coming up, and somebody has to make every kid on the team feel special. If that somebody is you, here's how to do it well without spending a fortune on trophies.
Give every player an award, not just the MVP
The kids who remember the season fondly are the ones who were noticed. Instead of one big trophy, give each player a certificate that names something they actually did: the kid who never missed practice, the one who cheered loudest from the bench, the one who improved the most.
Some award ideas that fit almost any player:
- Most Improved Player
- Best Teammate
- Hustle Award
- Never Give Up Award
- Practice Champion
- Unsung Hero
- Comeback Kid
The End-of-Season Team Awards Pack has 24 of these ready to print, plus a blank custom award. You type your team name, season and coach once and it fills in on every certificate, so you only add each player's name and sign them. It works for football, soccer, hockey, baseball, basketball or any team sport.
Make the party an event
A game at the party beats standing around eating pizza. The Lost Game Ball is a printable football-themed escape game where squads race to crack codes and recover the missing game ball. There's no hiding needed, and it works for any team size.
Get organized for next season now
If you were the one chasing snack sign-ups and dues all season, a single spreadsheet makes next year much easier. The Youth Sports Team Manager Spreadsheet keeps the roster, parent contacts, schedule, dues, snack and carpool sign-ups and budget in one place, and works in Excel, Google Sheets and Numbers.
Or get all three
The Coach's Season Kit bundles the spreadsheet, the awards pack and the escape game for $15, instead of $22 separately. If someone in your family is coaching this year, it makes a good thank-you gift too.