⚽️ GOAL BONUSES..! Helpful or harmful? Goal bonuses are usually offered with the best intentions! A bit of fun, a way to encourage kids, and often a celebration of their success. But as well-meaning as they are, goal bonuses can have unintended consequences. I've worked with thousands of young players and I’ve seen firsthand how rewards based solely on goals can shift focus away from teamwork, effort, and enjoyment, the real building blocks of long-term development. So what’s a better approach? ✅ Praise their effort! Recognise their work rate, not just their stats. 🎯 Celebrate enjoyment! Ask, “Did you have fun?”, not just “Did you win?” 🙌 Support every role! Goals, assists, tackles, saves! All contributions matter. Parents, your aim should be to support your child's enjoyment and long-term development and unfortunately, goal bonuses can negatively affect that. I see both sides of the debate… but as a coach, I'd always prefer if the children weren't given goal bonuses. I’d love to hea...