Step 4

Making the Presentation

Set up a time with the rink owner/operator to meet to discuss your program. You should be prepared to discuss issues such as practice times, practice session and coaches fees, how you are going to recruit skaters, etc. Here is a short list of the most important areas you should cover:

• Program Organization – Explain/introduce the coach and program coordinator (In most cases the coach is both). Let the rink know that in order to skate USARS Sanctioned races they will need to complete a team charter (cost is $50). Explain to them “a day in the life of”… talk them through what takes place during a practice. Show them the Team Handbook. You want to make a good first impression so it’s wise to dress appropriately (neat and clean) and to have a good-looking presentation packet.

• Practice – Take a look at the existing session schedule and try to “piggyback” one or two of these sessions. I would not suggest asking for more than 2 practices per week in the beginning. Try to get at least one weekend practice and one weekday evening practice. Agree on practice times and dates. I would suggest ending practices at the same time a session begins so that the session skaters see the speed skaters coming off the floor. This tends to generate interest amongst the session skaters.

        Recruiting - I would suggest marketing the “kickoff” of the new program for at least two consecutive weekends using the following methods:

1.       Announcements during sessions, especially during the races.

2.       Posting flyers (examples included in this packet)

3.       Having “sign-up” flyers available (included in this packet)

4.       Sending a Press Release to the newspapers (included in this packet)

5.       Calling together informal meetings between any interested skaters and the coach during these two weeks

6.       If you are located in close proximity to an outdoor recreational area where roller-bladers skate, you might want to hand out flyers to them also.

Once the team is up and running, you want to continue with the same recruiting efforts..

If you have a team website, add the new rinks. If you don’t have a team website, I would suggest creating one. If the rink has a website, propose adding information about your team to their website.

·         Costs –

To the rink:

·         $50 sanctioning fee (annually)

·         $$$ associated with keeping the facility open during practices

To the skaters:

·         $$$ Practice fee per practice session ($$$ to the rink and $$$ to the coach)

·         Equipment

·         Uniforms

·         Meet Fees

·         Amateur card fees

Benefits –

·         Positive press / exposure to the rink

·         Positive press / exposure representing your city

·         If the team grows large enough, better than “break even” revenues for practices

·         Skate sales from the pro shop

·         Annual meets or invitationals held at the rink(s)

Once you have discussed the particulars with the rink owner/operator you should establish the kickoff meeting time and date.

Now the coach is in place, you have a “home” rink, you’ve set the stage to start a speed team… all you need now is speed skaters!