| When leading a soccer team, the organization of the | | | | cuts down on needless email chatter and eliminates |
| sports team can often be the least fun part. You | | | | miscommunication. Be sure to include location, times |
| have to balance your players needs, with your | | | | and who is responsible for what. Remember to bring |
| coach's needs, with your league's requirements and | | | | snacks for that half-time energy boost. Services like |
| finally, with the parent's needs. With such a large cast | | | | Qlubb ( has the ability to publish schedules either |
| of characters with sometimes competing interests, | | | | privately within the group or publicly. |
| organizing this chaos isn't easy. Here are just a few | | | | 6. Figure out the budget. Most budgets for |
| organizing (non-coaching) tips to help you get | | | | recreational soccer teams are simple however, the |
| organized and to help ensure your soccer team | | | | numbers do have to add up at the end of the |
| accomplishes its goals. | | | | season. Make sure you account for all costs like |
| Steps | | | | league fees, equipment costs, tournament fees, |
| 1. Get the team roster down. Make sure you get | | | | transportation and housing costs. Remember that |
| every participant's key information like their preferred | | | | having a fundraiser costs money too. Look at ways |
| contact method (email, cellphone, etc.). Set up an | | | | to defray costs through activity fees, bake sales/car |
| email list using services like so that everyone can | | | | washes, sponsorships from local sports stores, |
| send an email to the group email address rather than | | | | subsidies from sports equipment manufacturers, etc. |
| having to list everybody's email address. Publish the | | | | 7. Build on the community. A sports team is |
| roster on the web so that people can get to know | | | | comprised of a group of people that form a |
| each other, set up carpools, and have their own side | | | | community around the common interest of sport. |
| conversations etc. | | | | However, over time as people get to know each |
| 2. Get the 911. Set up the call tree so that you can | | | | other, bonds strengthen. Fostering the community |
| get in touch with people when it counts. People's | | | | through things like photo sharing, team picnics, after |
| preferred method of communication should be taken | | | | game dinners are a great way to have fun while also |
| into account. Last minute rain outs of games and | | | | improving trust and teamwork. |
| other postponements require a quick and reliable | | | | 8. Do something special. Getting your team excited |
| response so that nobody gets stuck. Maintain this | | | | about the sport can help enrich the experience. If the |
| roster online so that everyone has the most | | | | professionals are having a tournament in town, |
| up-to-date contact information. | | | | arrange for a field trip. If you are budget conscious, |
| 3. Understand your goals. Have that first team | | | | you can see some great competition at the college |
| meeting where everyone can get acquainted but | | | | level. Most sports have a hall of fame that you could |
| most importantly get agreement on the goals. Are | | | | arrange a field trip to. And if you ask around you |
| you out to win the championship or to learn and | | | | might be able to find a pro in the area who might |
| have fun? Who is the right person to coach the | | | | donate some time to run a guest practice session or |
| team? Prior to any meeting you should do some | | | | to give a pep talk. |
| informal polling and discussion so that you can go to | | | | 9. Broadcast your accomplishments! Put up a public |
| the team meeting prepared. | | | | web page and talk about your wins! Nothing makes a |
| 4. Ask for volunteers. Don't get stuck doing | | | | team more proud than to let people know what you |
| everything. People are really willing to help if asked. | | | | accomplished. It also lets players send that link to |
| At every meeting look for a chance to recruit | | | | grandma. Sites like Qlubb have the ability to |
| volunteers, especially based on any skills they might | | | | automatically generate a public site based on the |
| have. Some parents may have good soccer skills and | | | | content of the site, which minimizes the overhead. |
| can be an assistant coach during practice. Online sign | | | | 10. Ask for feedback. Keep an open dialog with |
| up sheets are very useful so that everybody knows | | | | everyone and be flexible. It's important to listen. |
| what's been taken and what's left to do and they | | | | Soccer teams live for months to years and needs |
| can sign up on their own time. | | | | change all the time. A good leader will be able to |
| 5. Create the master schedule. Get a master schedule | | | | anticipate these needs by constantly listening and |
| online published as soon as possible. It should include | | | | thinking ahead. |
| all practices, games and tournaments. Putting it online | | | | |