I am wondering what methods clubs have used to show their appreciation to and motivate their coaches. Our club is run by the facility we swim in and they pay our coach. Unfortunately this arrangement has led to a certain level of apathy on the part of the club members. I think there is a developing danger of the coach losing motivation if we, the swimmers don't find ways of showing our appreciation and providing motivation. I believe our coach is motivated by his passion for swimming, the amount he is paid to coach us is certainly not sufficient to motivate him. This year he has started coaching the age group club so I think he now has another outlet for his passion for swimming and coaching and I think we need to work harder to make sure he finds coaching us a fullfilling experience. I am sure many other clubs have been in similar situations where a coach who has put in incredible efforts to build the club up from almost nothing starts to suffer from burn out and lack of positive feedback. What has worked for you? I am sure I once read an article on the role that swimmers can play in providing a motivating environment for their coach but I can't remember where it was...
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Originally posted by emmett
Is there anything keeping your swimmers from paying an additional fee each month into a team account that then pays the coach additional salary?
I am hesitant about discussing the clubs problems in public but the conclusion that people seem to have reached is that a scheme like this would adversely affect the relationship between facility management and the coach. Personally I firmly believe that the coach should receive extra pay as the membership grows as I believe the coach is primarily responsible for the growth of the club. I think that pay for time on deck actually provides negative incentive for growing the club.
That said, the strong impression that I get from the coach is that no amount of pay that is a realistic prospect is going to really motivate him without a positive work environment, which is why I am concentrating on that aspect as a starting point.
Originally posted by emmett
Is there anything keeping your swimmers from paying an additional fee each month into a team account that then pays the coach additional salary?
I am hesitant about discussing the clubs problems in public but the conclusion that people seem to have reached is that a scheme like this would adversely affect the relationship between facility management and the coach. Personally I firmly believe that the coach should receive extra pay as the membership grows as I believe the coach is primarily responsible for the growth of the club. I think that pay for time on deck actually provides negative incentive for growing the club.
That said, the strong impression that I get from the coach is that no amount of pay that is a realistic prospect is going to really motivate him without a positive work environment, which is why I am concentrating on that aspect as a starting point.
