Celebrating your success is innate in human nature.
In fact, some anthropologists claim that celebrating after a scored point happens in the same spirit in which our distant ancestors celebrated after a successful hunt. In other words, you’re just responding to your own anthropological and sociological needs.
Also, keep in mind that being an athlete takes a lot of discipline and dedication. It takes denying yourself some basic pleasures. For instance, you can’t drink, party, or actively smoke during the season if you want to maintain your performance.
Some athletes (especially in combat sports) are known to maintain celibacy during the competitive part of the year. All of this leaves a gap in one’s heart, which has to be made up for in order for the person in question to maintain their sanity.
In other words, a sports party is a way to blow off some steam, but it’s even more than that. It’s commemorating your successes, paying tribute to the gods of sport, and, as such, it is an inevitable part of your athletic cycle.
Fast and feast – the recipe for success since the dawn of time. Still, hosting a sports party is far from simple. Here are several tips to help you out.
Night of Hedonism
The first thing you need to understand is that this is the night where you get the reward for all of your hard work and self-sacrifice.
So, if you had a strict diet in order to fit a certain category, now might be the time to have a pizza. Having some treats like baked goods and all those snacks that you had to avoid like a plague prior to the event is a great idea.
Second, your sleeping regimen is due to a break, as well. For the majority of dedicated athletes, going to bed early and getting up at dawn is a way of life. So, don’t be afraid to stay up late.
Even if the season isn’t over, this one night really won’t disrupt you by that much. According to experts behind some of the most prestigious event venues in Minneapolis, one of the things that clients are interested in the most is the closing hours.
As far as alcohol and tobacco go, it’s up to you. Giving yourself a break on this one evening definitely isn’t going to ruin your sports career.
Gifts & Rewards
If you’re inviting your entire team over, it might be the time for some recap. First of all, you may want to organize the events so that you can honor your teammates.
You can mention their individual exploits and praise them for their commitment to the team. Even in individual sports, a team is what makes all the difference.
These are the people that work hard to improve your performance or handle menial tasks so that you can give your full attention to the match at hand.
One of the ways to make this thematically more fitting is to give them quality pieces of equipment as a reward. This way, you’re making it more pragmatic.
Keep in mind that official trophies and titles tend to fall under a completely different category, but those you issue on your own can have a higher sentimental meaning. Ordering some online is relatively inexpensive, and it could mean the world to everyone involved.
Just keep in mind that this too needs to be budgeted, so try to avoid overspending here.
The Guestlist
Deciding who you should invite is a massive challenge on its own. First of all, the total number of guests will decide the cost of the event, the choice of the venue, and, in some scenarios, even the schedule of the event.
Who should be invited? Well, this question is not an easy one to give. For starters, it depends on whether it’s a team sport or an individual sport. A team sports event needs to make a major decision right off the bat – is it a closed or an open event.
Namely, do all the players get to invite whoever they want. Remember, some sports have 20-plus player teams, not counting coaches, therapists, etc. Inviting management is also a nice touch.
Lastly, if it’s a celebration, you might also want to invite the fans. In that scenario, you would need to hire a huge (preferably outdoor) venue.
Commemoration
It is not uncommon for a themed party to have a speech. So, try to keep it short, witty, and to the point. Remember, in these situations, emotions speak louder than words. It might also be a good idea to use visual means to illustrate your point.
Making a slideshow or a video with highlights and the most important aspects is always a smart choice. It will make the audience even more immersed, even though they were your target audience, to begin with.
Keep in mind that making an athletic highlight reel isn’t a simple thing either. It takes a lot of attention to detail and some formidable editing skills.
You could invite guest speakers or ask other event participants to share a few thoughts with the crowd. Remember, chances are that you’re hosting a closed event where everyone is well-acquainted.
In that scenario, a speech doesn’t even have to be scripted. Saying a few words to your teammates is simple, but inviting someone to the speaker’s podium is still a nice touch.
***
In the end, the reason why learning how to throw an efficient sports party is so important is mainly that it’s a skill that you’ll get to exercise time and time again.
Keep in mind that you need to be clear about the objectives of the meeting. You want to let people blow off some steam, improve team unity, and celebrate the success that you’ve made in the previous period.
You should also remember that you’re not limited to a single objective per event.
Finally, it’s still a party, and you need to make sure that everyone is having the best of time. So, think about the entertainment, the schedule for the evening, the catering, the refreshment, and more.
This will keep the spirits high and your party a success.
