Players Of Week Are More Than A Slice Of Pizza

We all remember that feeling well, the exciting burst of pride we would get with a player of the week award in our hot little hands, ready to collect that pizza with a smile on our face as large as the slice we were about to devour. It was the best feeling in the world and you felt as if all eyes were on you, the winner, the best player out there! But what we didn’t see as kids, is the power behind the player of the week award.

It is a message from a coach to a player that says “I saw you out there.” It lets a child know the coach took the time to recognise them and their efforts. Anyone who is involved in junior sports will know that telltale larger than life, boastful grin that stretches across a child’s face when the coach hands them the player of the week award. That little piece of paper can be a secret weapon in a coach’s artillery when it comes to players who don’t always take to the field like a bull at a gate. It is a great way to reward the smallest of achievements, that can help boost the confidence of a nervous player, coaxing them out of their shell and proving to them that they are achievers on the field, and an asset to the team no matter their confidence level. Not only do they get to enjoy free pizza, they also walk away feeling seen and encouraged, with a new lift to their confidence and mindset. Man of the match and player of the week have had a significant presence in sport throughout the years and remains to have a powerful presence today and into the future.

– By Jamie-Lee Farley