How to Prepare for Your First Competition as a Team

Your team’s first competition is a big milestone. Whether you’re heading to a gymnastics meet, volleyball tournament, or tennis event, that first outing can set the tone for your season. Preparation goes far beyond the routine or playbook, it’s about planning the experience.

What to do:

  • Hold a parent-athlete meeting to explain logistics, expectations, and team rules.

  • Pack in advance: uniforms, backup gear, snacks, water, and printed schedules.

  • Assign roles: designate who brings medical kits, who keeps time, who leads warm-up.

  • Do a mock competition: simulate event-day timing and pressure.

  • Remind athletes that this is about learning, not just winning.

The first competition is an opportunity to bond, build confidence, and lay the groundwork for a strong team culture.

Is It Worth Having a Practice Uniform in Addition to a Competition One?

Short answer? Yes. Practice uniforms offer benefits that go far beyond just “looking coordinated.” They support your team culture, logistics, and budget in ways many coaches don’t realize.

Here’s why it makes sense:

  • Consistency in training: When athletes wear the same thing to practice, it reinforces discipline and creates a focused mindset.

  • Branding: Even during training sessions or local scrimmages, a branded practice uniform helps your team look organized and professional.

  • Preserve your competition gear: Athletes won’t wear out their premium gear before big events if they have a dedicated training set.

  • Budget-friendly for new members: New athletes might not be ready to invest in full competition uniforms right away. A more affordable training set can be a great first step.

You don’t need to go all-out. A branded t-shirt, tank, or leotard with matching shorts or leggings can be enough. And if you work with Bold&Grit, we can design your practice set to complement your competition look, while keeping it affordable.

What You Can Learn from the Team Next Door

Team Next Door

It’s easy to focus only on your own athletes, your own goals, and your own challenges. But great coaches know that observation is a powerful learning tool, and the team down the road might have a few lessons to offer.

What to look for:

  • How they manage logistics: Do they arrive early? Are their uniforms organized? Take note.

  • Team culture: Do their athletes support one another? Do parents show up prepared?

  • Communication style: How does the coach address the team? Is there a tone of respect, urgency, or inspiration?

  • Visual identity: Is their branding consistent and polished? What can you take inspiration from?

Studying other teams means being inspired, identifying gaps, and always growing as a leader.

How to Plan Your Competition Calendar with Budget in Mind

Competition Calendar

Competitions are exciting, but let’s face it, they’re also expensive. Travel, lodging, entry fees, and uniforms can add up quickly. Planning your competition season with a clear budget in mind can help reduce stress and keep your program sustainable.

Here’s how to approach it:

  • Start with last year’s data: Look at how much you spent and where the biggest costs came from.

  • Prioritize key events: Focus on competitions that matter most for development, exposure, or progression. Not every meet is essential.

  • Plan early: The earlier you decide, the better you can coordinate carpools, group rates, and fundraisers.

  • Balance timing: Avoid back-to-back weekends that drain both energy and funds.

  • Build in uniform planning: If you know your biggest meets are in June or July, start ordering uniforms now to guarantee that everything will arrive on time.

Being strategic with your calendar keeps your team focused, your families prepared, and your program financially healthy.

What If Parents Had Uniforms Too? Ideas to Strengthen Community

Had Uniforms

We’ve all seen it: a team of athletes on the floor, and a row of cheering parents in the stands. Why not make them part of the visual identity too?

Giving parents “uniforms” doesn’t mean matching leotards, it means branded t-shirts, hats, or hoodies that build school spirit and show support.

Ways to bring parents into the look:

  • Offer event-specific apparel: Create limited-edition shirts or hoodies for special competitions.

  • Encourage team colors: Even without full merch, encourage families to wear your team colors to events.

  • Celebrate their role: Make them feel recognized, consider a “team parent of the month” feature with their custom shirt.

When parents feel included, they’re more likely to volunteer, cheer louder, and represent your team with pride.

How to Make Your Merch Appeal to Parents and Fans Too

Make Your Merch Appeal

Merchandise isn’t just for athletes. Parents, siblings, and fans want to feel part of the team too. And when you include them, you’re not only creating community, you’re boosting your team’s visibility and fundraising potential.

Here’s how to make merch that resonates with the whole team community:

  • Offer inclusive options: Think beyond uniforms. Hoodies, tote bags, polos, and t-shirts are great for spectators.

  • Design with pride: Use bold colors, clear logos, and team mottos that spark emotion and pride.

  • Highlight relationships: Add “Proud Mom”, “Coach Dad”, or even fun slogans like “Team Grandma” or “#GymFam”.

  • Bundle it: Create packages for parents or families, especially around competitions or showcase events.

When merch makes people feel part of something bigger, they wear it proudly and your team brand grows stronger.

How to Document This Season to Make the Next One Easier

document season

Ever find yourself thinking, “What size did we order for Julia last year?” or “Which vendor delivered on time?” Then you know the pain of not documenting.

Keeping simple records throughout the season helps you save time, improve planning, and avoid repeating mistakes.

Here’s what you should be documenting:

  • Uniform orders: sizes, quantities, delivery times, and vendors.

  • Parent communications: what worked best? Email, text, or printed reminders?

  • Team highlights: collect photos, feedback, and notable wins.

  • What went wrong: missed deadlines, sizing errors, or unexpected costs.

Keep everything in one folder (digital or printed). Next season, future-you will thank present-you.

Monthly Checklist for Busy Coaches

monthly checklist for coaches

Being a coach is like running a small business. You manage athletes, communicate with parents, coordinate logistics, and keep track of uniforms, competitions, and team goals. To stay on top of everything without losing your mind, a monthly checklist can be your best friend.

Here’s a sample checklist to guide you through each month:

  • Week 1: Review your season goals and adjust training plans. Check in with athletes one-on-one if possible.

  • Week 2: Confirm any upcoming uniform or merch orders. Check inventory of training gear.

  • Week 3: Share updates with parents. Highlight achievements and upcoming events.

  • Week 4: Reflect and record. What worked this month? What can improve? Document it for next season.

A consistent monthly rhythm saves time, reduces surprises, and helps you feel more in control. It also sets the tone for a well-organized team culture.

How to Get Accurate Sizes for Your Team (and Make It Easy)

Get Accurate Sizes for Your Team

Uniform sizing shouldn’t be a guessing game. That’s why we created our Sizer Sets, a super simple way to get the right fit for everyone on your team.

Here’s how it works:

  • Choose a day before or after practice to schedule the fitting.

  • Use our pre-labeled Sizer Sets. Each set includes the full range of sizes for girls or boys, so every athlete can try their fit.

  • Measure and record the size that fits each athlete best. You can use our purchase order.

  • Submit the order, pay, and that’s it.

With proper sizing, you avoid the stress of exchanges and ensure that everyone feels comfortable and confident from day one.

How to Keep Your Team Motivated When There Are No Competitions Ahead

keep team motivated

No meets? No problem. Sometimes the off-season is where the magic happens. Keeping your team motivated during quiet months is an art and a huge opportunity.

Keep Your Team Motivated

Here’s how to keep the spark alive:

  • Set micro-goals like mastering a new skill, improving flexibility, or nailing a routine element. Short-term wins boost morale and give athletes something to work toward.

  • Celebrate effort, not just outcomes: Weekly shout-outs, small awards, or team voting on “Most Supportive Teammate” add meaning to practice.

  • Switch things up: Themed practices, partner challenges, or even a playlist made by the athletes can make workouts feel fresh and fun.

  • Create leadership moments: Ask different athletes to lead warm-ups or cool-downs. It gives them ownership and strengthens confidence.

Motivation doesn’t only come from medals. When training is meaningful, creative, and full of small wins, the team stays engaged even without a competition in sight.