| Managing hockey goes beyond selecting good players and hiring a qualified coach. It is about understanding finances, administering rules, applying procedures and dealing with people who are on the inside or on the outside of hockey.
The Structure of Management
There are two sides to successful hockey teams:
Hockey Operations: |
This refers to all aspects required to play the game. Players, coaches, |
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trainers, scouts and equipment fall under this section. |
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Administration: |
Sales, office coordination, media relations and communication fall under this |
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category. |
Managing both of these effectively requires a certain amount of money and expertise. Team owners know that they require a business and hockey savvy individual to manage their team adequately.
Key Roles
Administrative responsibilities are primarily relationship building and paperwork. Some roles within minor hockey are:
President:
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Makes decisions for the entire association, league or team. |
General Manager:
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Makes business decisions for hockey teams. |
Team Manager:
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Plans and coordinates events, communications and fundraising |
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with the coach and staff. |
League Official /Coordinator:
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Serves as the liaison for teams, players, parents and media. |
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Provides information and updates. Administers policies from |
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branches and regions. |
Marketing & Sales Director:
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Provides revenue, sponsorship and fund raising for teams. |
Tournament Coordinator:
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Serves as the liaison for teams, players, parents and the |
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community with the tournament specifics. |
Volunteer:
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The community resident who helps a team, league or |
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tournament by doing tasks for no money. |
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What Does Management Do?
Dealing with people is the primary function for most of these positions. General Managers (GMs) of teams, for example, deal with league officials, upper management, coaches, players, parents and in many cases the media. Some of the other positions deal with local community people, corporate executives and fans. Whether you are dealing with hockey related people or outsiders, all interactions need to be professional, courteous and sincere. This is a high profile game in the community and it deserves the respect from those involved.
When dealing with the paperwork side of managing hockey, the tasks can be long, tedious and very drawn out. Registering names, insuring for liability, verifying the facts and all around filing make up the "to-do" lists season after season. These assigned routines make the game safe and fun for the players, coaches and officials on the ice and gives enjoyment for all of us as fans.
Proper Management Makes Hockey Fun
Hockey administration may seem to be complicated but it does not need to be so. There are 3 key aspects of hockey where strong management can improve the game for players, coaches, officials and parents. They are:
1. Insurance:
Imagine that a player gets hurt while on the ice. If disability becomes a factor, then who is responsible? How will the injured person be taken care of? There are safety provisions in place for those who want to play.
If a boy is out playing pond hockey and he gets hurt, he will go home and get help. But what happens in the event of an extreme injury where he cannot move? Is it up to the individual or those around him to handle repercussions? If the boy was hurt due to his own misfortune, then he needs to deal with it. However, if someone else hurt him, then is there police involvement or a liability issue?
In organized hockey, there are insurance policies in place by Hockey Canada and USA Hockey to cover severe injuries and liabilities. Financial benefits help the individual and the family. Committees deal with the extreme violence exhibited by players and coaches. Maintaining and administering these policies requires resources and expertise. This is how we make hockey fun and safe.
2. Registration:
Parents, families and guardians enroll their children in hockey to have fun. They want to expose their children to other children of the same age while enjoying the sport.
Children of all ages enjoy playing unorganized hockey, otherwise known as pick-up. Some children are fully equipped and others are not. How much fun would it be if eight year olds had to play against seventeen year olds? Would the older children get bored or would the younger children be intimidated? Either way it would not be fun for anyone. Administrations keep all age groups together and make sure that everyone complies.
3. Costs:
The game is played in an arena that is usually run by a community or private investors. Unless someone has deep pockets or is generous, the owners of these facilities are looking to make money or at least break even on their land investment. This money comes from those who use the facility. In most cases, an organization or community has to pay for the usage. Here is how management makes this possible:
a) Costs are allocated to the individuals that use it by means of hockey registration fees.
b) Leagues make scheduled timeslots for games.
c) Local companies are offered advertising space to raise money and lower costs.
Knowing how to administer and manage these tasks will greatly increase the effectiveness of management in hockey organizations. These are not glamorous jobs but without them, we would still be playing on the ponds.
Team Management
Managing a team requires many people to do many tasks. In minor hockey and junior hockey, the biggest tasks usually belong to the GM or team manager. This role focuses on handling front office staff, league officials, media, parents and the hockey operations people. Sports management expertise is required. The person who fills this role needs to know how to deal with budgets, corporate sponsorship, negotiations of supplier contracts and process compliance with the leagues. Teams have been successful in minor and youth hockey because of effective management as well as their play on the ice.
Team managers are usually volunteers. They help to organize tasks and work in tandem with the head coach to ensure that the off-ice season is run as smoothly as the on-ice season. Efficient managers make sure that player registration, document submission, fundraising, travel arrangements, equipment needs and communications are carried out and coordinated with the coach's season plan. Dealing with people can be a very tough job, which is why it is important to have a people-oriented personality.
Teams need cash flow like a business to operate. Bills such as ice rentals, equipment, travel expenses and tournament fees all need to be paid. Someone needs to handle it and someone needs to raise it. Working in management requires you to acquire funds in multiple ways. Make sure that you like talking to people, otherwise you will have a hard time handling this position.
A successful season is not about winning and losing. It is about having fun. Making an event run smoothly or explaining what is required from parents and their children will make many people happy. You cannot go wrong if you provide a kind, courteous and upfront policy with those around you.
Fundraising Considerations
Today fundraising is something that most teams need to do to help curb the rising costs of hockey. They also take on that initiative to purchase that little something extra in a season.
If you are a team manager, then before you decide on your next initiative consider that there are dozens of great fundraising ideas in the marketplace but the key success is the plan of action not the quality of the product you could sell.
Here are components you need to incorporate into your budgeting whilst you prepare for your season:
a) Identify how much do you need for your team
You should have a budget prepared that details all your expenditures for the year.
b) Ask for input
Regardless if you need $2,000 or $47,000, you will need to identify people and resources around you that can help the team achieve its targets. Be aware that many parents today prefer to simply write a cheque.
c) Explore your options
Today there are many ways to raise money for a team. You could raise it through corporate sponsorship, selling a product or conducting an event. Speak with your team about opportunities they may be aware of. Some parents may own a business and be willing to provide products.
d) Identify your strengths
Find out the preferences of activities that people would like to do. You may have parents who despise selling chocolates or other products, but have a great string of friends and would gladly invite them to a dinner dance.
e) Divide and conquer
Let’s face it many hands make light work. If 3 people on your team can raise $2000, then it is safe to say that having the other 12 to 15 get involved will surely grow. Create teams of people and make sure they stay in communication with each other.
f) Stay on track
After you have identified the initiatives, the people and you know how much you need to raise, then you need to keep a running total and show everyone the progress. People respond to growth and feel a sense of pride when they contribute. Maintain a communication that is consistent and clear so people can get the sense of momentum.
How to Get Involved in Hockey Management - the 6 Fundamentals
If you want to get involved in minor hockey management either by volunteering or by getting a paying job, then make sure you apply these 6 fundamentals to managing effectively:
- Know the facts - Find out the whos, the whats, the wheres, the hows and the whens of events or situations. Ask questions and listen.
- Speak clearly - When communicating with staff, parents or colleagues, be brief and to the point. People will tune you out if you go on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on . Get the point?
- Make yourself accessible - Allow people to approach you and talk about what is on their mind. You may learn something.
- Be on time - Reply to telephone calls in a timely manner. Arrive at meetings on time. Stick to an agenda if it is your meeting.
- Give respect - Show others respect before you demand it from anyone. Do not ignore people. Even if you do not have an answer, acknowledge requests from people who call or e-mail you.
- Look professional -As a representative of a team or organization, dress appropriately. Be aware of your hygiene - brushed hair, good breath, brushed teeth. It is not very pleasant to stand in front of somebody who should have taken a shower three days ago.
It is all about being the best you can be. It is exactly what we try to teach players. Why not do what you want them to learn? The best way to teach is to be the role model. Actions speak louder than words.
Learn more about MANAGING and ADMINISTERING HOCKEY |
www.eteamz.com/icehockey
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