Athletes and coaches maintain a close working relationship, are in regular contact – sometimes even daily. The nature of this collaboration can be both demanding and fulfilling for both parties. Yet, amidst this dynamic, it’s worth pondering how often athletes express their gratitude to their coaches for their unwavering commitment and the significant time and effort invested in honing their skills.

In my line of work, I’ve encountered numerous coaches who display remarkable dedication, regardless of whether they operate on a voluntary or national level. However, this level of commitment can sometimes take a toll, leaving coaches feeling drained, especially after extended training periods or intense tournaments that can extend for weeks.

Coaches are a constant presence, striving to meet people’s expectations and consistently working in the best interests of their athletes. Yet, how often do they hear a simple “Thank You“?

This question prompted the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE) to conceive the idea of Global Coaches Day a few years ago. This year, Global Coaches Day falls on September 25th, and it serves as an opportunity for athletes and organizations to express their gratitude to their coaches, both in person and on social media. There are various creative ways athletes (and even their parents!) can convey their appreciation.

They can send a heartfelt personal message to their coach, create a brief video expressing their thanks, share a dedicated social media post using the hashtag #ThanksCoach, or simply invite their coach for a casual coffee or ice cream outing. The possibilities for showing gratitude are diverse.

The German Olympic Sports Confederation has thoughtfully prepared templates for clubs and athletes to use, along with a video featuring Team Germany athletes expressing their gratitude to their coaches. If you’re interested, you can explore their offerings on their website (please note that it’s in German). Or you can have a look at the video the Wisconsin Badgers created for their coaches.

Personally, I will inform the athletes I work with this week about Global Coaches Day and encourage them to express their appreciation next Monday. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture like a video or a social media post; sometimes, a simple “Thank you, Coach” after training can mean the world.

Lastly, I’d like to express my gratitude to all of you in this community of sport psychology professionals who are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of athletes and coaches. Thank you for your unwavering commitment.