Odds & Ends
TEAM COMMUNICATION
Most email providers allow you to set up Groups or Contact Lists. You'll save yourself some time if you start off creating groups for the following:
STP Team Managers
Other club team managers
STP coaches
Other team coaches
Most providers also allow you to set up Folders, having a designated Folder for all team related emails not only helps you stay organized throughout the season but allows you to easily find emails from previous seasons if necessary.
Emailing or using the Chat feature through your Crossbar Team Page/App will also allow you to keep all communication in one spot.
Weekly Update Email
Try sending your team an email at the beginning of every week to remind them about the practices and games the week ahead. This is also a good time to follow up on any other items such as money owed or tournament information.
Team Accomplishments
When your team wins or finishes 2nd in a tournament, create a news post about the tournament along with a team photo from the tournament with their award. Then notify the club secretary about your accomplishment.
Player Patches (Squirt & Above)
When a player gets credited for a hat trick, 3 assists in a game or a shutout, he or she gets a patch for the accomplishment from Missouri Hockey. Each player is only eligible for one patch of each type per season. Generally team managers wait until the end of the season to order these. Don't forget to save your scoresheets from each game to send in with the form. This is not applicable for 8U/6U players.
You can download the form from Missouri Hockey's website here: https://www.mohockeyyd.org/team-manager-resources/team-manager-resources-how-to-s/2155
Team Building
Getting together as a team at someone's house, a park or even bowling can be a great way for your players to get to know one another. It's generally a good idea to schedule something early in the season.
Volunteering
It's a good idea to have your team do community service at some point in the season.
Goal Jar
Goal jars are used to raise funds for an end-of-the-season party. Pick a parent to make a goal jar and be responsible for it throughout your season. When your team scores a goal, they'll pass the jar around and everyone throws in a quarter.
Team Website
Team managers will be given access to manage your team's page on the STP website. This will give you the ability to enter news and scores. Club rules state you are not allowed to post player stats. Some team managers will look into other options such a TeamSnap, we highly recommend that you do not utilize those and just manage all schedules and communications via Crossbar. Team practice schedules change often, sometimes without warning or notification and if you aren't relying on the schedule on the club's website your parents might miss a practice.
The "chat" feature within Crossbar is also very useful for communicating to your team and takes away the needs for a GroupMe or other chat app.
End-of-the-Season Party
Teams often have end-of-season parties. These could be a party at someone's house or just getting together somewhere for something such as bowling or laser-tag. Many teams VOTE (see below) to use left over team funds in addition to money raised in a goal jar. Some teams decide to purchase small team gifts for the players such as custom pucks or T-shirts. Coaches gifts are often purchased as a thank you at the end of the season. Ask for donations from families that are interested. Ex. $25-$50 gift cards are common.
Yearbooks
Yearbooks will be provided to every registered player. STL Digital will take all pictures and create the yearbook for the organization. Specific dates/times for pictures will be sent out usually in October.
Please share the following with your Parents:
Parent's Code of Conduct
Do not force your children to participate in sports, but support their desires to play their chosen sports. Children are involved in organized sports for their enjoyment. Make it fun.
- Encourage your child to play by the rules. Remember, children learn best by example, so applaud the good plays of both teams.
- Do not embarrass your child by yelling at players, coaches or officials. By showing a positive attitude toward the game and all of its participants, your child will benefit.
- Emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit your young athlete. De-emphasize games and competition in the lower age groups.
- Know and study the rules of the game and support the officials on and off the ice. This approach will help in the development and support of the game. Any criticism of the officials only hurts the game.
- Applaud a good effort in both victory and defeat, and enforce the positive points of the game. Never yell or physically abuse your child after a game or practice – it is destructive. Work toward removing the physical and verbal abuse in youth sports.
- Recognize the importance of volunteer coaches. They are important to the development of your child and the sport.
- Communicate with them and support them.
- If you enjoy the game, learn all you can about hockey – and volunteer.
Player's Code of Conduct
At the beginning of the season have each player personally sign the Code of Conduct. Click for Form
Use this time as an opportunity to discuss expected behavior not only on but also off the ice. Discuss rink rules such as no stick handling off the ice and locker room behavior.
- Play for fun.
- Work hard to improve your skills.
- Be a team player – get along with your teammates.
- Learn teamwork, sportsmanship and discipline.
- Be on time.
- Learn the rules and play by them. Always be a good sport.
- Respect your coach, your teammates, your parents, opponents and officials.
- Never argue with an official’s decision.
Spectator's Code of Conduct
- Display good sportsmanship. Always respect players, coaches and officials.
- Act appropriately; do not taunt or disturb other fans; enjoy the game together.
- Cheer good plays of all participants; avoid booing opponents.
- Cheer in a positive manner and encourage fair play; profanity and objectionable cheers or gestures are offensive.
- Help provide a safe and fun environment; throwing any items on the ice surface can cause injury to players and officials.
- Do not lean over or pound on the glass; the glass surrounding the ice surface is part of the playing area.
- Support the referees and coaches by trusting their judgment and integrity.
- Be responsible for your own safety – be alert to prevent accidents from flying pucks and other avoidable situations.
- Respect locker rooms as private areas for players, coaches and officials.
- Be supportive after the game – win or lose. Recognize good effort, teamwork and sportsmanship.
If any parents or players are breaking the Code of Conduct or if you have any issues with conduct related to STP members or Coaches, please contact our Discipline Committee. Contact information can be found on the Organization tab of the STP website.
TEAM VOTING (Updated 7/2018)
Items that require 75 percent vote:
Any tournaments beyond those stated in the minimum tournament requirements and those that fall on holiday weekends, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.
Items that require no vote:
Basic office supplies needed for running team (up to $50)
USA hockey numbers for up to 3 coaches
Fees for refs
Gas for one car, per diem for up to two coaches, one room hotel per each day of travel, if the coach is not a parent
Change in tournament location if unforeseen circumstances keep you from that tournament (e.g. it’s full) as long as new location is within a similar distance.
Fees to open accounts or buy checks
No vote is needed if funds are available (if money must be collected; it's a 75 percent vote or individual pay):
Team outings (limit of $300)
Flowers/memorials for family members (limit of $75)
Coaches gifts (limit of $50 per coach)
Items that require 100 percent vote:
Anything that requires every team member to make a purchase (Example: Practice jerseys.)
* Note: Goal jar money is to be used for team parties at manager's discretion.