Post by Michael (Admin) on Jun 13, 2014 16:49:24 GMT -5
Managers,
I hope that the stress of tryout season is dying down. You've made some offers, had to deal with players/parents hedging their bets (seriously, just let them go. You'll thank me later) and now you've got most of a roster. What now?
First - get a nice detailed email out to new families. Most of this you should have already covered before the kid even tried out but good to get it all down. Cover: Uniforms, fees, payment deadlines, summer and fall schedule, broad strokes of Winter and Spring. If you can, cover parental and player expectations. If there is some sort of online communication system, get them signed up. Be available for questions and be honest. If they were oversold on a program that promises second team players opportunities to get called for college showcases with the top team, break it to them gently that it probably won't happen (maybe after you collect their first check). Got an offseason training plan? Circulate it now.
Second - be sure to communicate with returning players and parents who the new girls are, share contact information.
Third - Think Social! These kids were likely competitors during tryouts and on prior teams. You've got the summer to start getting that team spirit back and helping the kids recognize that their Great Adversary for years is just another kid and not a threat. Plan a pool party, World Cup viewing party, BBQ. Get as many as possible together for a Spirit game. Plan to get to the local college's pre-season games in August. Got a team residential camp? Even better!
Fourth - Open a beer.
Fifth - email everyone that you'll cut back on the emails except for the few administrative items such as uniforms and let everyone take a little bit of time off and decompress. The kids need time to do non-competitive things.
And you, dear manager, should take a nice sip of that beer and pat yourself on the back for a job well done. You need some time away from the ridiculous thing that is DC Area soccer. Forget about leagues, teams, player cards, schedules, tournaments, pre-wrap, caring for the wounded egos of kids or parents, stats, weather cancellations, snow in April, blood kits, binders, guest players, refs, STARs, concussions, broken bones, dislocated thumbs, wins, losses, draws.
At least, forget about ours! Go watch the World Cup with your kids. Cheer and let them dream. August will be here soon enough and it all starts up again!
I hope that the stress of tryout season is dying down. You've made some offers, had to deal with players/parents hedging their bets (seriously, just let them go. You'll thank me later) and now you've got most of a roster. What now?
First - get a nice detailed email out to new families. Most of this you should have already covered before the kid even tried out but good to get it all down. Cover: Uniforms, fees, payment deadlines, summer and fall schedule, broad strokes of Winter and Spring. If you can, cover parental and player expectations. If there is some sort of online communication system, get them signed up. Be available for questions and be honest. If they were oversold on a program that promises second team players opportunities to get called for college showcases with the top team, break it to them gently that it probably won't happen (maybe after you collect their first check). Got an offseason training plan? Circulate it now.
Second - be sure to communicate with returning players and parents who the new girls are, share contact information.
Third - Think Social! These kids were likely competitors during tryouts and on prior teams. You've got the summer to start getting that team spirit back and helping the kids recognize that their Great Adversary for years is just another kid and not a threat. Plan a pool party, World Cup viewing party, BBQ. Get as many as possible together for a Spirit game. Plan to get to the local college's pre-season games in August. Got a team residential camp? Even better!
Fourth - Open a beer.
Fifth - email everyone that you'll cut back on the emails except for the few administrative items such as uniforms and let everyone take a little bit of time off and decompress. The kids need time to do non-competitive things.
And you, dear manager, should take a nice sip of that beer and pat yourself on the back for a job well done. You need some time away from the ridiculous thing that is DC Area soccer. Forget about leagues, teams, player cards, schedules, tournaments, pre-wrap, caring for the wounded egos of kids or parents, stats, weather cancellations, snow in April, blood kits, binders, guest players, refs, STARs, concussions, broken bones, dislocated thumbs, wins, losses, draws.
At least, forget about ours! Go watch the World Cup with your kids. Cheer and let them dream. August will be here soon enough and it all starts up again!