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Team travel isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s about building the bonds that transform a group of individuals into a cohesive unit with a shared identity and purpose. Whether you’re coaching a varsity volleyball squad or planning a family vacation, the journey itself can be as valuable as the destination when it comes to strengthening relationships.

I know this firsthand as a #girldad of two teenage daughters and the volunteer coach for every team they’ve ever played on.  But I also know this because Team Culture is one of the most popular topics for the 3.5M sports parents and coaches that read our iSport360 youth sports newsletter.  So let’s talk practically about how team travel builds team culture.

Mounting Anticipation

The magic begins long before the bags are packed. In the weeks leading up to team travel, excitement builds as players discuss logistics, plan activities, and imagine the adventures ahead. As a coach, I love overhearing my players excitedly planning who’s bringing the music, who’s waking up early for the free breakfast, or what time they’re meeting at the hotel pool. And if we’re being honest, parents get in on the action too, coordinating their own “grillin’ and chillin’ ” social activities during tournament downtime. This pre-trip buzz creates a shared experience that players and families anticipate together, setting the stage for a great trip.

Breaking Bread Together

There’s something deeply connective about sharing meals that transcends age, sport, and competition level and that’s why we look for IHG Hotels and Resorts like Garner or Avid that offer a convenience market and in some cases outdoor grills. When my team is eating together we’re laughing (sometimes at my expense), telling stories and making memories. Unlike rushed interactions during practice or games, meal times create space for players to truly get to know each other as people rather than just teammates. The simple act of passing plates and enjoying food together strengthens the invisible threads that connect team members.

The Magic of Unstructured Time

Some of the most powerful team-building moments happen when teams get “stuck” together at the hotel—during rain delays, after a day of games, or downtime during the tournament. Without the structure of practice or competition, players naturally create their own fun: spontaneous dance parties at the hotel pool, card games under a gazebo, TikTok challenges in outdoor space, or simply conversations that wander into deeper territory. These unplanned moments often become the memories that players cherish most, as they discover connections beyond their shared sport.

Parent Buy-In Creates Team Success

There’s no question that for a youth sports program, the team parents will either be part of your process or they will become part of your problem (as we like to say in our newsletter articles).  Smart coaches and team organizers recognize that parent culture directly impacts team culture. When travel plans consider parent needs—affordable accommodations, convenient locations, flexible scheduling, and opportunities for adult socializing—the entire team benefits. As an example, we love to choose Holiday Inn, where kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal, or Staybridge Suites that all offer on-site laundry rooms.  When parents feel that their time and resources are respected, they become enthusiastic supporters rather than reluctant participants. Their positive energy reinforces team values and creates a supportive environment where players can thrive.

Strengthening Family Bonds

Despite the 32 teams that I’ve coached over the years, admittedly, none is more important than my team of 4 at home.  And when we travel, we like to fuel up, huddle up and then freshen up at IHG Hotels and Resorts.  Like a sports team, families make memories on the road that endure long after the travels end. For busy families like ours juggling academics, multiple sports, and social commitments, travel creates rare opportunities for undistracted family togetherness, the ultimate way to strengthen the most important team any of us will ever belong to.

About the author: 

Ian Goldberg is the CEO of iSport360 and the Editor of the largest and fastest-growing newsletter in youth sports. In addition to being a frequent speaker and industry thought leader, he is a suburban NJ sports dad of two teenage daughters and has over 2,000 hours of volunteer coach time.  Ian and his iSport360 team provide 3.5M players, coaches, parents
and sports administrators with the articles and tools they need to have a great sports season.  Ian has spent most of his career in digital product development and marketing. His career started at the White House, where he worked for the economic advisors to two U.S. presidents.