In every team, there are athletes who don’t compete—and that’s perfectly okay. They might be new, not technically ready yet, dealing with performance anxiety, or simply choosing to focus on training for now. Regardless, their motivation matters just as much as that of your top competitors.
Here are some ways to keep them engaged and inspired:
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Set personal goals: help them identify areas they want to improve—like flexibility, stamina, or mastering a skill. Celebrate small wins often.
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Recognize their effort: highlight them in team meetings, newsletters, or even on social media. Visibility goes a long way.
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Bring them to events: include them in your competition day crew. Assign roles like warm-up assistant, timer, photographer, or hype squad.
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Let them lead: give them opportunities to contribute by mentoring newer teammates, planning music, or leading part of practice.
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Create team-building moments: not everything needs to revolve around winning. A game, a challenge, or a group session where everyone shines can do wonders.
Not all athletes need a medal to feel like they belong. Sometimes, they just need to know their presence matters. You have the power to show them that every day.