Budgeting sounds intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. You don’t need to be an accountant or build complicated spreadsheets to stay on top of your team’s finances. What you do need is clarity about what money is coming in, what’s going out, and how to stay prepared all season long.
Step 1: List all expected expenses
Start by writing down everything you know you’ll have to pay for during the year:
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Competition registration fees
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Practice and competition uniforms
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Transportation and lodging (if applicable)
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Extra training sessions or clinics
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Awards, medals, or end-of-season gifts
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Team merch for parents or fans
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A cushion for unexpected costs
Break it down by month if you can. That way, you’ll spot the times of year when your spending spikes.
Step 2: Estimate your income
Where is the money coming from?
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Athlete fees
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Uniform or merch sales
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Sponsorships or grants
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Fundraising events or raffles
This helps you plan when cash will come in and how much you can realistically allocate to each area.
Step 3: Set your priorities
Not everything is urgent or equally important. Ask yourself:
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What do we need in order to function?
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What can wait?
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What could we skip or adjust if money is tight?
Having these priorities helps you stay calm when things don’t go exactly as planned.
Step 4: Use simple tools
You can do this in a notebook, a Google Sheet, or with a basic budgeting app. The key is to review it monthly and adjust when things change.
Step 5: Share the load
Work with your team. Budgeting isn’t just a leadership task, it’s a chance to teach responsibility and transparency.
Budgeting isn’t about limiting yourself, it’s about being ready. When you know your numbers, you can make decisions with less stress, avoid last-minute scrambles, and focus on giving your athletes the best season possible.