Ali + Julie
Co-Founders, GroupTogether.
Life’s busy. That’s why we’re here to make it easy for you to collect money from a group. Less wasted time, less packaging waste, and spending a little less but giving a lot better!
Card Message Inspo
What to Write in a Coach's Thank You Card
Are you organizing a team gift for the special coach in your life? Or maybe you’re giving a personal gift and you’re looking for the right words to say, “Thanks coach!” Either way, we’re here to help. Read on for some great ideas to write on a card for your coach.
By Ali + Julie
March 17, 2022
As a young person, your coach is more than just a mentor. In fact, 87% of parents said that their child's coach has had a positive impact on their child's life (i9 Sports).
30 WAYS TO SAY, “THANKS COACH!”
Heartfelt
- Dear Coach, words cannot express the depth of my gratitude for your unwavering support, guidance, and belief in me. You have truly been a pillar of strength and inspiration in my athletic journey.
- Coach, thank you for not only teaching me the skills of the game but also instilling in me the values of discipline, perseverance, and teamwork. Your mentorship has shaped me into a better athlete and a better person.
- I am forever grateful for your tireless dedication and countless hours spent helping me improve. Your commitment to my growth and development has made a profound impact on my life, both on and off the field.
- Thank you, Coach, for pushing me beyond my limits and showing me that I am capable of achieving more than I ever thought possible. Your belief in my abilities has given me the confidence to strive for greatness.
- Coach, your passion for the sport and your infectious enthusiasm have ignited a fire within me. You have taught me to love the game, to embrace challenges, and to always give my best, no matter the circumstances.
- I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for your patience and understanding during moments of struggle and setbacks. Your encouragement and guidance have helped me overcome obstacles and grow stronger, both mentally and physically.
- Thank you, Coach, for not only teaching me about the game but also about life. Your wisdom, advice, and mentorship have shaped my character and taught me important life lessons that I will carry with me forever.
- Coach, your belief in my potential, even when I doubted myself, has been a constant source of motivation. Thank you for pushing me to reach new heights and for always reminding me of my capabilities.
- I am grateful for the countless sacrifices you have made for our team. Your selflessness and dedication have created an environment where we can thrive and succeed. Thank you for investing so much in our growth and success.
- Coach, I want to express my deepest gratitude for being more than a coach to me. You have been a mentor, a role model, and a friend. Thank you for believing in me, inspiring me, and for the profound impact you have had on my life.
Appreciative
- Dear Coach, I am immensely proud to have been under your guidance. Your dedication and expertise have transformed us into a formidable team, and our success is a testament to your exceptional coaching skills.
- Coach, I couldn't be prouder to call you our leader. Your ability to bring out the best in each team member, fostering their growth and maximizing their potential, is truly remarkable.
- Thank you, Coach, for cultivating a winning mentality within our team. Your unwavering belief in our abilities has inspired us to achieve greatness and surpass our own expectations.
- I am filled with pride when I see the remarkable progress we have made under your guidance. Your strategic game plans and meticulous attention to detail have propelled us to new heights.
- Coach, your leadership has not only shaped us as athletes but also as individuals. The values of sportsmanship, resilience, and teamwork that you have instilled in us will stay with us for a lifetime.
- I am proud to be a part of a team led by a coach who exemplifies integrity, passion, and dedication. Your unwavering commitment to our success sets an exceptional example for us all.
- Coach, your ability to inspire and motivate us is truly commendable. Your speeches before games never fail to ignite a fire within us and remind us of our capabilities.
- Thank you for pushing us to our limits, Coach. Your relentless pursuit of excellence has made us realize our true potential and shown us that we are capable of achieving greatness.
- I am proud to have learned from a coach who prioritizes personal growth and development above all else. Your focus on honing our skills and nurturing our talents has been invaluable.
- Coach, I couldn't be prouder of the positive impact you have had on our lives. Your guidance extends beyond the playing field, shaping us into confident individuals who are ready to conquer any challenge.
Humourous
- Dear Coach, thank you for teaching me how to catch a ball without breaking any windows—my neighbours are eternally grateful!
- On behalf of the team, we would like to thank you, Coach, for being the master of motivational speeches that are often one-part inspiration and two parts comedy. Your knack for incorporating witty jokes never fails to put a smile on our faces, even in the face of defeat.
- Coach, we would like to extend our deepest appreciation for transforming our team into connoisseurs of unconventional celebrations. Thanks to your creative ideas, our post-game dance routines rival those of a professional dance crew (or at least that's what we like to believe)!
- Coach, your impeccable sense of timing during practice breaks has not gone unnoticed. We appreciate how you always manage to pause the session right when we're about to collapse from exhaustion, giving us the perfect opportunity to catch our breath and contemplate our life choices.
- Coach, thank you for introducing us to the world of "sports fashion experiments." Who knew mismatched socks and wearing our jerseys inside out could bring us good luck? Your innovative fashion sense has made us the trendsetters of the sporting world!
- Coach, thank you for turning a bunch of clumsy misfits into a team of slightly less clumsy misfits—we appreciate the progress!
- Coach, we appreciate your talent for turning even the most mundane tasks into entertaining challenges. Whether it's a relay race to gather equipment or a game of "find the missing ball," you always find a way to make even the simplest activities enjoyable and hilarious. Thank you for infusing laughter into our practices!
- Thank you, Coach, for reminding me that coordination is not a prerequisite for participating in sports. It's the effort that counts, right?
- Dear Coach, we wanted to express our gratitude for your exceptional talent for organizing "mystery practices." We never know what surprises await us, whether it's a surprise water balloon fight or a sudden visit from a friendly mascot. It keeps us on our toes, quite literally!
- Coach, thank you for teaching me that sportsmanship also includes pretending to be disappointed when the referee makes a bad call in our favour.
READY TO SHOW APPRECIATION FOR YOUR COACH?
Your coach has been there for you through thick and thin. Isn’t it time to let them know how much you appreciate their efforts? Saying, “Thanks coach!” is a great start, but what about organising a team gift or card?
Here at GroupTogether.com, that’s exactly what we’ll help you do. How does it work? You can create a link in 2 minutes and share it with your entire team. All they have to do is click, pay, and sign the card online. Then you’re ready to print and give the card to your coach—easy as that.
Click here to learn more about our easy-to-use service that takes the hassle out of gift-giving.
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Gift Ideas
30 Unique Gift Ideas for Coaches & Sport-Lovers
How do you pick the perfect gift for the sports enthusiast in your life? Kids’ sports coach, a farewell gift for a gym junkie colleague… whoever it is, we’ve rounded up the 30 best gift ideas for the sport-lovers in your life.
By Ali + Julie
February 19, 2024
Gift Ideas For The Coach
Coach gifts can be tricky because no coach will say that they want a present; but if they did a great job with your child, no doubt you would want to say thank you somehow.
But how much do you want to spend on the coach? And what gift could you get that you know they would love? What about the manager?
We find that most people like to spend around $20. Well, $20 might buy a nice card and a box of chocolates…but how much better would it be if the whole team joined together and each put their $20 together! With an average of 15 kids on a soccer team, $20 each would mean a present to the value of $300. Nice!
You can organise it easily online with GroupTogether, and even split the money collected to give a gift to both the coach and manager. Just share a link in your team chat and let everyone chip in and sign the card online. Easy peasy.
So what are the best coach gift ideas?
Let’s start with what they DON’T want. Here are a few gifts to avoid as told to us by coaches.
- Best Coach mug – “I have 23 mugs at home that say I’m the best coach – I can only drink from one at a time!”
- Photo frame with a picture of the child
- Best coach underwear – “One year I got a pair of briefs which had ‘Best Coach Ever’ written all over them. It must have taken them a while to find something like that, but really, it was just awkward!!”
Lots of coaches we spoke to were really happy to avoid the novelty “coach” gifts and instead receive one great gift from the team such as an eGift Card so they could choose what they wanted or needed.
With this in mind, here are some gift ideas for the coach.
#1 Tickets To A Sporting Event
VIP or Grand Final If your coach is a true sports fan (and didn’t just draw the short straw on the first week) then they’ll LOVE tickets to their favorite game. Try for a VIP experience or tickets to the grand finale to really show your appreciation. Just make sure the coach doesn’t already have tickets first!
#2 Good Quality Sport Jacket
The kids may love those muddy training sessions and games, but chances are your coaches do not! A fantastic group gift is some quality wet (and cold) weather gear or a sports jacket - it’s almost guaranteed to bring them back next season. We love Kathmandu, The North Face, and the more premium jackets from Nike and Adidas. If it’s a winter sport, maybe grab a matching beanie and gloves!
#3 A Tour for Explorers
Gifting them an explorer tour in parts of America is bound to create amazing memories. It's not just a gift—it's an opportunity for them to push their limits, connect with nature, and embrace the spirit of adventure. Whether it entails a journey through iconic destinations like the Grand Canyon, New York City, Niagara Falls, or Yosemite, there's a choice suited for every kind of enthusiast.
#4 GroupTogether AnyCard
Give your coach the gift of choice with the GroupTogether AnyCard. They receive a beautiful digital gift unwrapping, and can then choose to swap their AnyCard from 70+ leading retailers including
Let everyone chip in online with GroupTogether, Australia's leading group gift platform. You can even give a beautiful group card with your gift!
#5 Massage or Float Tank
Perfect for erasing the stress that comes at the end of a long season. A massage or float tank experience is a therapeutic way to say thank you for all the hard work.
#6 Favourite Team Jersey
You can never go wrong with giving your manager or coach an official jersey from their favorite team. Whatever the code, everyone loves getting the real deal.
#7 A Night Out
A dinner voucher for a meal at a nice restaurant is a really nice way to say thank you to your hard-working coach…and to let them spoil their long-suffering spouse!
#8 Great Scotch
A long-standing favourite coach gift, you can’t go past a great bottle of scotch. This gift is great for the manager too! By the whole team chipping in a little, you can give them something really nice that they wouldn’t normally get for themselves.
#9 ClassPass or Professional Lessons
Give your coach the choice of local fitness and wellness classes with a ClassPass Gift Card. Maybe they’ve always wanted to try hot yoga - now they can simply book a class online! Otherwise, if you know their favorite hobby then give them some professional lessons (e.g. professional golf lessons).
#10 Card From The Team
Never underestimate words of thanks from the kids and parents! Even more powerful is seeing the whole team’s messages and photos together in one card (and much less waste!). Show your appreciation with a group card from GroupTogether. So thoughtful!
Gift Ideas For Sport-Lovers
We all have a sports lover in our life. They can tell you who won the grand final in 1997, take backyard cricket a bit too seriously, and are your biggest supporter whenever it’s time for a health kick. Here are some gift ideas for the sports enthusiasts in your life.
#1 Bucket List Equipment
We all know how expensive good quality sports and exercise equipment can be - whether it’s a road bike, surfboard, or a new golf club. But for someone who might be using it a few times per week, having the best gear makes a huge difference. That’s why bucket list sports equipment makes the perfect group gift. Everyone chips in a little, but it adds up quickly, and the lucky recipient can put it towards their dream gift (maybe don’t buy it for them unless you know the EXACT specs).
#2 Sports/Smart Watch
A good sports watch is a no-brainer for anyone passionate about health and fitness. They usually start at a few hundred dollars, so it’s the perfect gift for everyone to chip in a little. You’ll need to find out what brand they want (Garmin, Samsung, Apple, etc.). If you’re not sure - give an eGift Card to Best Buy instead.
#3 Adventure Experience
From hot air ballooning to skydiving! If your friend enjoys a bit of adrenaline, consider a once-in-a-lifetime adventure experience. You can pick something for them if you know they’ve always wanted to go rally driving or give them an eGift Card to 'Global Experiences Card' which has hundreds of truly amazing experiences.
#4 PT Sessions (or Broga!)
Spoil your friend with something they’ve always talked about wanting to try. Maybe that’s PT sessions at the local gym or “Broga” (Yoga for Men) classes.
#5 Workout Gear & Shoes
A sports lover can never have enough workout gear! Chances are they’re also wearing it to drop the kids off, shop for groceries, and…well…pretty much anywhere they can! If you’re not sure about their favorite styles, an eGift Card to Lulu Lemon or Dick's Sporting Goods is always a winner.
#6 A Peloton
Possibly THE bucket list exercise equipment of 2022 (if you haven’t heard of a Peloton, just watch the latest Sex and the City). It’s home fitness at its most luxe, with a huge library of workouts all centered around the iconic Peloton spin bike. This might just be the ultimate group gift of the year.
#7 Nutribullet
Healthy eating goes hand-in-hand with an active lifestyle, and the Nutribullet is a game-changer! It’s brilliant for whipping up healthy smoothies, plus it’s quick (and easy to clean) when you’ve got a jam-packed day.
#8 Sport Headphones
We love a great pair of over-ear headphones, but they’re just not practical when doing exercise. You might want to gift your sport-lover a pair of sports headphones that will stay put during a workout and are often sweat resistant too. Some may even have fitness tracking features built-in.
#9 Subscriptions: Strava, Kayo Sport, etc.
Why not gift your friend an annual subscription to sites like Strava (health and fitness tracking) or Hulu for sports streaming.
#10 Tickets to a Grand Final Game
There’s nothing more exciting than watching the Grand Final from seats in the stadium. The atmosphere, the crowds, the excitement – it’s a gift they will always remember and treasure.
Gift Ideas For Sporty Kids
There are lots of great gifts out there for sporty kids. But there comes a point where they just don’t need ANOTHER soccer ball. GroupTogether with family and friends to give one great bucket list gift instead. Here's a few ideas!
#1 Sports Equipment
Definitely clear it with the parents first - but equipment for their favourite sports is an absolute winner. A cricket ball machine, basketball hoop, golf club or backyard soccer net.
#2 Go-karting, trampoline parks, mini-golf, and ice-skating
There are tonnes of great activities for kids - we love the new trampoline parks (so fun for kids!). But they’re often a little expensive - so why not GroupTogether and gift a pass to their favorite place.
#3 Tickets to a Game
Remember the first time you saw a sports game in a stadium? Incredible! Maybe their favorite team is playing close to their birthday - tickets to watch it live is a gift they’ll never forget.
#4 Birthday Wish from an Aussie Sports Star
If you’re looking for a unique gift then check out Cameo - personalized videos from your favorite sports stars. They’ve got a great line-up including big names from wrestlers, Basketball, Football, and even BMX.
#5 Dance & Gymnastics Mats
Buying a gift for a budding gymnast? Kids tumbling mats are great for gymnastics, dancing, yoga and much more.
#6 Bike
A bike is the ultimate group gift for kids! Nuff said.
#7 Kids Sports Watch
A great way to help introduce an active lifestyle, sports watches can help track activity and sleep while some also have built-in games and challenges. They have a parent-controlled app for peace of mind.
#8 Coaching Lessons
Great for a teen - if they’re keen on a particular sport they might appreciate some coaching lessons with a pro.
#9 Favourite Team Jersey
You can easily pick up great fan gear for kids from Amazon, and there’s no doubt it will be worn every day!
#10 Trampoline
A great gift for kids that will be loved for years to come, and with more safety features than the trampolines we remember - they’re a great gift for kids of all ages.
Meet the experts
Ali + Julie
Co-Founders, GroupTogether.
Life’s busy. That’s why we’re here to make it easy for you to collect money from a group. Less wasted time, less packaging waste, and spending a little less but giving a lot better!
