"Razor's Rant is another form of presenting concepts and ideas that require discussion.
Your response and reaction to what you hear completes the loop of communication that drives positive change. So feel free to react to 'The Rant'. I will respond." Jack 'Razor' Ray

(Feb. 11, 2012 Show 13) "Managing a Team"

Well, you agreed to be Team Manager. How is it going so far? Are you glad you accepted the position, or are you wondering how and why you got here? Are you appreciative of all the training and insight you were given before taking on the job? Bet not!

Minor Hockey mandates that Coaches are carded and go through several courses related to qualification and training. It is the law, and it should be because Coaches have a huge responsibility for the development of players. They are one of the integral influences on our children’s lives.

Minor Hockey mandates that Trainers are carded and go through various levels of qualification and training. It is the law, and it should be because Trainers have a huge responsibility for the care of injuries experienced by players, right from the moment of occurrence through to the medical approval to return to play.

The selection and training processes for these two positions is significant, as it should be. And they know their duties by the time they step into the job.

So why is it that the selection process for the Team Manager…the most important “off-ice” role in minor hockey is usually not much more than the Coach pulling some unsuspecting parent from the stands or asking his/her spouse to do the job? And in all that training and certification that the Coach went through, how much of it pertained to the Role and Selection of a Team Manager?

The Team Manager must also be carded, but that is where the process stops. There is no clarity or detail about the duties of the position. There is absolutely no information about the significant onus thrust upon this person for budgeting, fundraising, collecting registration fees, paying bills, banking, acquiring supplies, communicating with sponsors and Association officials, registering in tournaments, booking travel and accommodations. No one described the stress of dealing with, and keeping 15-17 sets of parents on the same page for the entire season, ensuring that their off-ice issues are heard and dealt with, and that their on-ice beefs receive attention from the Coaching Staff.

People who take up the position of Coach or Trainer come back year after year. Organizations complain that Team Managers hardly ever repeat, and yet they can’t figure our why? Well, wake up folks! If we assessed the skill set required, provided a clear outline of the job, and then ensured the person got trained, might we spend less time each year going through the search for Team Manager? It seems to be working for the Coach and Trainer positions. If it is done right, can you imagine the headlines? “Parents ecstatic over a registration refund!”; “Association’s Team voted the most organized operation ever!” And all because somebody finally took the roll of Team Manager seriously and dealt with it professionally and responsibly.

Send your e-mail with questions or comments to razor@thehockeysource.tv with 'Hey Razor' in the subject line and then be sure to check your inbox for a response from Razor himself!