'The Ultimate Newsletter for Minor Hockey'

Winter 2004 ISSUE 3

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WELCOME to WELL SAID! - 'The Ultimate Newsletter for Minor Hockey'.  This third issue from The Hockey Source is a creation by Kevin Huhn and his support team.  Their focus is the betterment of minor hockey around the world.  This newsletter, along with the comprehensive website, television show and product lines is part of that vision.  Whether you are a Player, Coach, Manager, Official, Trainer, Scout, Agent, Parent or Fan, you are sure to find valuable information on hockey topics.

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****  IN THIS ISSUE  ****
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• Honesty is the only policy!
• Blessed are the parents…
• New SMEs and on the road
• All for one or one for all?
• Dressing room floors have a pal
• Tips to being financially accountable

People have raged around a variety of topics such as the cost of minor hockey, business versus sport and volunteer versus business in hockey.  Sub-topics such as budgeting, cost of ice, decision making and accountability have parents and team administrators looking at ways to find common ground for the increase in the costs.  This is an issue that carries geographic variations as well as dependencies on the various caliber levels.  It is not possible to set a standard cost for minor hockey that fits all situations.  There will always be some people who feel that any cost is too high, while others will pay whatever it takes to play.

But what challenges comprehension are the growing number of stories involving families who claim that they were not aware of the cost until it was too late or that they agreed to a certain amount, only to be told later that the price had increased.  Situations such as these should never occur if the proper processes are used in the financial management of the hockey team.  The entire topic of financial management should be frequent, transparent and inclusive of all involved.

A coaching staff that is well organized and prepared will first realize that anyone being asked to put forth financial assistance for anything has the clear right and expectation to know exactly how and for what that contribution is being used.  It also makes sense that the coaching staff will need to have considered the potential actual costs of managing a team for a season in order to even be prepared to seek contributions from the members of the team.  Thus, in an organized team, one should expect to see a forecasted budget for the season that provides as much detail as is possible.  This can be presented in a fashion that calculates a “per player cost” assuming that the only source of financial support is the families of the players.  Finally, this information should be presented to each potential player and his/her parents prior to them agreeing to sign with the team.  Now there are no surprises for anyone and all decisions are being made with total transparency of facts and figures.

A good coaching staff will now realize that communication for the rest of the season should continue along the same vein – open, inclusive and honest.  Regular discussions involving parents should be a given activity.  Presentation of a monthly financial status should be a regular agenda item for parent/coaches meetings.  Topics involved in these dialogues will relate to such things as fundraising, tournaments, jacket purchases, etc. and they will involve regular reporting back to parents about the financial status of the team.  There will be changes in the detail of the forecast as the season proceeds.  It is the timing and content of the communication related to these changes that is so important in the desire to have all team members on the same page.

Parents know what they are willing and able to pay for the pleasure of their son and/or daughter to play minor hockey and that decision is theirs solely.  It is the responsibility of team management and hockey decision makers to enable families to make such decisions in an open, honest and informed environment.

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*** THE INSPIRATIONAL CORNER   Blessed are the parents… ***
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Each family situation is unique in its details, but they all share the commonality of effort, dedication and energy levels that are unbelievably high in order to keep up with the schedule of life and hockey.  Most parents and guardians are committed to helping their children get the most out of hockey.  In doing so they pay considerably, both in financial and time commitments.  They also ensure that the opportunities available to their children will be a fun experience for them.

So whether it is the hockey mom who drives her two sons to and from Toronto, ON on the same day back to Pittsburgh, PA so they can see the Hall of Fame Game; or whether it is the wife and husband from Calgary, AB who are blessed with four sons playing hockey, thus spending all the non-working time of at least half their year going in opposite directions to games and practices – it all comes down to the one common reality. 

All of this is possible and continuously happens because parents and family members see being involved with this game as a great opportunity to enhance one's life experiences.

The Hockey Source would like to recognize the tremendous efforts made by all parents and family members in the wonderful world of minor hockey by sending out a sincere Thank You.

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*** ABOUT THE SOURCE    New SMEs and on the road ***
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The Hockey Source is pleased and excited to announce confirmation of new members to its illustrious group of Subject Matter Experts. 

Francois Allaire (Consultant) – Goaltending

Linda Boryski (Physical Therapist and Coach) – Power Skating

Francois and Linda come to The Hockey Source with the same intention to help those involved with minor hockey.  You can read more about them and their bios in our Subject Matter Experts section at www.thehockeysource.tv/sectioninsidesource/sourceexperts.php

On December 30th and 31st, The Hockey Source will be the focus of attention at the Hockey Country Tradeshow.  In between its 2 booths will be The Hockey Source Centre Stage being held in the Bell Sensplex in Kanata, Ontario (just outside Ottawa).  This event is part of the Bell Capitol Cup Hockey Tournament, the largest tournament of its kind in the world.  For those of you who will be in the Ottawa area at that time, come check us out in person and be one of the first people to view the television show pilot which will be played continuously during the tradeshow.  Guests will also have 2 chances to win a Hockey Source prize package by filling out a ballot.  Presentations, interviews and a book signing for “Hockey-ology” will be the focus of the Centre Stage.  Find out more about this event at www.expocorpinc.com/Hockey2004.

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****  FACE-OFF:   FUNDRAISING – All for one or one for all?  ****
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If you were asked, “How should the team divide the money raised through team fundraising”, your first thought might be to have all the money go towards the team and be divided equally amongst families.  But what if you are the one who is a go-getter and raises half the fundraising targeted dollars?  Are you ready to share with the families who do nothing and don't participate?

History would substantiate that most persons involved in hockey support the concept of fundraising.  Every dollar obtained from sponsors or fundraising events means more money for the team and less cash outlay for the parents.  Establishing a team philosophy and policy related to team fundraising initiatives is the most important ingredient.

There will be parents who do not want to participate and would rather just sign a cheque for the “per player amount owing”.  There will be parents who want to participate but want the amounts they raise going towards their amount owing.  There will also be parents who say money raised should go into the team account, thus reducing the “per player amount” equally for all families.

When a combination of all these positions exists without any clear policy, fundraising becomes a One for All or an All for One activity for families.

To fundraise or not to fundraise is not the question…how to allocate the funds is the hot topic!

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***  SHOP THE SOURCE  ***
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… where you can purchase products that help make your life in hockey more enjoyable.

Featured Product – FloorPAL

Hey Players!  Tired of getting your feet and socks wet?  Hey Parents!  Ever consider the number of germs on the floor of a change room in the average arena?  Are you frustrated with having to buy several pieces of carpet remnants during the season?  Then you need to look into the FloorPAL.

The FloorPAL is composed of a black, non-woven nylon fiber with a backing made of black nitrile, which is a soft, solvent resistant, latex substitute.  It will not tear!  It will not wear out!  It will not unravel or disintegrate!  And it is made to withstand 100,000 machine washes which means that it is always clean and germ free making the formation of mold impossible.  You will never have to buy another product.

Because of its flexibility, it can be rolled up or folded up and easily carried in your hockey bag.  It can be used for any activity where protection of the feet is a concern, especially for those involved in figure skating or swimming.

The FloorPAL is exclusive to The Hockey Source and can be purchased for $39.95.  So keep your corner of the room clean, warm and comfortable and do it in style.  It makes for a great gift for hockey players of all ages.  To purchase your FloorPAL, go to www.thehockeysource.tv/sectionshop/shop.php

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****  TIP OF THE ISSUE     being financially accountable ****
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The role of a hockey coach and team manager can be time consuming.  The burden of this onerous task is lessened proportionally to the enjoyment and comfort level felt by the player's parents and family members throughout the season.  And few topics can challenge the composure of a hockey parent faster than a surprise change in team finances that results in them having to write another cheque.

8 GUIDING PRINCIPLES TO POSITIVE TEAM BUDGETING

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