Team MomHandbook

2016

Thank you for volunteering to be a Team Mom for your team.

Your efforts will be greatly appreciated. Your primary job is to assist the coaches. A coach’s job can be demanding and you can help with behind the scenes work. For the most part, the coaches handle everything on the field, and you (with your coaches' help) will handle everything off the field.

Have fun with it!

Team Mom Coordinators

Roseanne Flanders, rpf0826@yahoo.com 937-554-6986

Meredith Monturo, meredo@sbcglobal.net 937-271-1225

Julie Glasgow, julie.glasgow@waters.nestle.com 937-206-9029

Prior to the season starting

Parent Meeting and Handouts: usually first night of practice-(Wednesday of Eval Week) The parent meeting is your first opportunity to officially communicate with the parents on your team. Confirm with your head coach when he wants this scheduled – not only the date, but whether it be at the beginning of practice or at the end of practice. After your team has been announced, you or your coach will want to inform your parents when your team will be having the parent meeting. The meeting is generally that first official practice, but it can be any time the first full practice week (starting August 1st.)

Typically, the coach will introduce himself and inform the parents of the goals he wants to accomplish during the season. You will also introduce yourself as the team mom.

You will want to provide your parents with some information and handouts. Examples include: an outline of the activities you plan to have throughout the season. a calendar listing the practices and events. a volunteer list. a contact information sheet listing the coaches and yourself . a way of collecting parents' contact information, like names, phone numbers, email

addresses, etc.

Please make sure you verify email addresses and cell numbers at this meeting for each parent, as this will be your primary way of communicating throughout the season. We generally do not give any printouts out after our initial meeting as we have then verified how to contact everyone via email. A lot of team moms have liked using an app for communicating with parents as well. A good one we have used is Team App to share and coordinate calendars, schedules, directions, even pictures.You can also find out if a player has allergies (food or bee stings). You might want to add a column on your contact sheet for allergies.

We will also have you collect signatures verifying correct player's names and numbers for end of the season trophies. This will need to be turned in to us when complete.

Parent Volunteers/ScheduleThroughout the season you will need parent volunteers to help during the home games. During your parent meeting, let the parents know that you will need volunteers for the following positions and provide a sign-up sheet: Photographer – every game (optional) Videotape – every game (Coaches like this to review game tapes) Statistician – ask your coach about this one – some coaches have an assistant coach as

the statistician Chain Gang –need 3 at each game

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Announcer Time Clock Spotter

Descriptions of these positions are listed in the section – During the Game Responsibilities.

Weigh-ins: Since we are with a new league our weigh ins can be conducted internally, but all weigh ins need to happen on the same date. Our weigh ins will be scheduled on Saturday, July 30th at School House Park starting at 8am. Boys must be in athletic shorts. Stripping down to just underwear is NOT permitted.

All players must weigh in regardless of weight. If a player doesn’t weigh in or make weight, he can’t run the ball - League Rules.

In some cases, players cannot avoid missing the general weigh-in date and will be weighed as “hardship.” A written letter from the parent explaining this hardship (previously scheduled vacation, etc.) must be submitted to us by Wednesday July 27th. All hardship weigh ins need to take place Wednesday, August 10th at Schoolhouse Park (usually before practice), and player is not permitted to run the ball until hardship weigh in has occurred.

There is a specific range of weight for players to carry the ball. In 4th grade, for example, only players weighing less than 100 lbs. may carry the ball. If the player weighs between 90 and 100 lbs., his weight must be re-certified at end of year weigh ins, however there is an allowance of an extra 5 lbs during this time. So if a player weighs 99lbs at time of first weigh in he is required to re-weigh but is allowed to weigh up to 104lbs at end of year weigh in to still carry the ball.

1st and 2nd 75 lbsThird 85 lbsFourth 100 lbsFifth 110 lbsSixth 125 lbs

Summary of Dates: Hardship letters – July 27th- sent to Roseanne Flanders Weigh-ins – July 30th Fundraiser starts July 27th

money due to Team Moms by August 16thmoney due to Holly Boehmer or Cherie Buhler by August 18th

Battle of the Borders - August 7th Picture Day - August 7th Hardship Weigh-ins – August 10th Regular Season begins August 13th

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Midseason Reweigh-ins – October 12th Playoffs begin October 15th Super Bowl tentatively scheduled for November 5th at Wayne High School

Forms and Physical Forms/Pre-Weigh-In Check:All forms must be turned in prior to stepping foot on the field. Physical forms, coach codes of conduct forms, and birth certificates need to be turned into Wee Elks, then we will check over information and redistribute player info so you can fill out your official roster. We must have a correct and complete roster done immediately after draft, to be prepared for weigh ins on July 30th.

Background Checks: Every coach and team mom will need to complete a background check. The GCYC and the Wee Elks take the extra step to make sure our players are in safe hands. Go to www.ncsisafe.com and click on "Start Your Background Screening Now" and follow the steps.Enter Self Registration number 76003578, enter information that is requested, then provide legal authorization and certification. Please make sure you use your full legal name and double check your social security number as incorrect information will delay your approval. You are required to have these done before you are able to step foot on the field just as the coaches.

Nick Names and Announcement Rosters/Recordings:Typically, when the players are announced at the beginning of every game the announcer sheet will list the players name or nickname and number (i.e.#32 Nick the Quick Gardner). Confirm with your head coach if he even wants the players to have nicknames. If he says yes, confirm with the parents/players what the nickname should be. You will provide this on the announcer sheet. Most teams get a cd made with names announced and some kind of music possibly. Regardless of having a cd recording, you are still required to have an announcer sheet for each game delivered to the press box/announcer's booth for the game announcer. Game announcers need to identify each player during play calling. A printed roster is also necessary should there be the occasional technical difficulties where the recorded announcement cd doesn't play.

Stickers for the Helmets:Wee Elks will be supplying number stickers for the player helmets. Each player needs to have his number identified on his helmet and the cost for this comes out of team fees. Usually the cost is around 20.00. You will likely need to pay this upfront and reimburse yourself after you collect your team fees.

Calendar for The Season:You will want to provide your parents a calendar of events at the initial parents meeting and update that same calendar with your team schedule once it is known. An easy way to provide the updated calendar is to email it to your parents. If some of your parents do not have access to email, you will want to provide a printed copy.

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Budget and Team Fees:Team fees cover additional expenses incurred by the team. It is important that you keep a detailed budget of your expenses. Please keep copies of all your receipts in case a parent wants to see how much an item cost or how you spent the team's money. Team fees are $65.00 per player. Please let your parents know of the due date as to when you need all team fees turned in to you. If parents paid their team fees as part of registration, we will let you know that, as well as cut you a check for those payments. We always tell parents that we need their team fees before we can release their jersey. Below is a level overview of a budget.

Game drinks/snacks $10 per player3 Events (Pool & Pizza Party, Ice Cream Social, Fall Cook-Out) $16 per playerBanquet (net of Wee Elks donation) $5 per playerAppreciation gifts (players, coaches, volunteers) $30 per playerMiscellaneous (paper goods, copies, folders, etc.) _ $4 per player

Total per player $65

Weeelks.org:You will want to continue to remind your parents to check the wee elks web site for information regarding important dates, directions to other schools’ fields, GCYC site, forms and documents, etc. – www.weeelks.org.

Fundraiser:We have a new fundraiser this year. We are selling food items and coupon books. Each child will be required to sell 12 units, books or food. Some parents might have bought out of the fundraiser at registration. We will get you those lists. You will not need to give a sample coupon book to those families that have bought out. For families participating in the fundraiser and not buying out, the child will be given a sample book to use to sell and it is free to keep after the sale is completed. ALL other books MUST be turned in to Team Moms or they will be charged for them. We will NOT be accepting any cash. We can take ONE cashier check/money order from each seller for their ENTIRE order. Please see the fundraiser letter and packets from Holly Boehmer and Cherie Buhler for more details and information.

Decals:Car decals are $10 each. Use separate order form for each different decal ordered. Order forms are available on the website under forms and documents. These are due to Laura Ryan by August 2nd, so you should collect them from your team ASAP. Please remember we cannot accept personal checks so these must be turned in with a money order or cashier's check to Laura.

Picture Day:All teams will have their picture taken on Sunday August 7th. Picture schedule will be emailed and posted on the website when available. Pictures will take place at Schoolhouse Park. It is the team mom’s responsibility to fill out the form which provides

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the names of the players in how they are seated. They will take a football only picture, a cheer only picture, and a picture of football and cheer together.

Please inform your teams to arrive 20 minutes prior to your time and have picture envelopes completed.

For the 6th grade players only...veteran pictures will also be taken on Picture Day. Veteran Players are defined as football players who have played for at least 4

years for the Wee Elks Organization. Note: Years need to be consecutive. Please remind your parents of scheduled time.

GCYC Schedule:Scheduling this year will be done electronically. We should have the schedule by the first week of practice this year. It will be emailed to you to distribute to your team as soon as we have the final schedule.

As the Season Starts You may want to organize a snack schedule for your parents (especially at the

younger grades) to take turns bringing snacks and drinks for each game day. Your parents will also need a gentle reminder each week as to whose turn it is, along with game details like times, directions, etc.

Battle of the Borders Aug 7th – does not count towards regular season. Black teams will play at Schoolhouse Park and White teams will travel to Miamisburg. The Board has been trying to find a preseason opponent for the Gold teams.

Regular season begins the weekend of August 13th and 14th. Every time you are the home team, remember you need to provide your parent

volunteers to help staff your game.

During The Season

Weekly Newsletter: There are several styles of newsletters. You can have bullet points, calendar style, or, if you’re a writer, be a bit more descriptive. But, remember, people are busy. They don’t have time to read everything. Put your next game information first (including directions to the game and which family brings the snacks for after the game, any possible after game plans etc.) Snacks are very important up until 4th grade. Grades 5th & 6th are not so concerned with after-game snacks, but they do like the drinks. When we give the directions, Iwealso advise bringing “camp” chairs depending on the field. It helps to talk to the other

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parents/team moms who’ve been to the field before in case you need some pointers as to what to let your parents know ahead of time. Next in the newsletter, list the practice schedule for the week and then describe the social events (Parent’s Night Out, Ladies Bunco/Get-Togethers, etc.) and then always list the Wee Elk Web site at the end of the newsletter.

Forms:GCYC Weigh-In Roster will need to be kept on you for each game. It is suggested that you keep all this form in plastic covers in a notebook which you need to keep with you at all times. If it rains, the plastic protects the important documents. Also have your roster with parent contact information. Your coach may also give you a stack of Minimum Play Sheets that he will want you to prepare (record the players’ names in jersey number order) and give to him right before the game. Don't forget to keep copies of your announcement roster (and recorded cd) to deliver to the press box at each game.

Wee Elk Night:Held at Centerville High School, this is a very exciting opportunity for the players and cheerleaders to get the “Big Game” experience. The players and coaches are introduced to the stadium crowd during the pre-game and then line up to create a pathway for the Varsity players to run through. It’s very thrilling for everyone!

Players dress in their jerseys (no helmets, pads or game pants) and admission is free for players in jerseys. Admission is approximately $7 for everyone else.

Tailgating: (if you have a social team) is a lot of fun. Meet in the parking lot between 5:00 and 5:30 pm. Get a headcount of participants and see if anyone has a portable tent and tables. It can be as easy as hot dogs in steamers, condiments, chips, and cookies. A couple of families can bring drinks. Some teams order sandwiches and some do fried chicken boxes. You can have the families pay for themselves (collect the money beforehand and get a volunteer or you go pick it up). Not all families tailgate, so we generally don’t pay for the players out of the team fund. Some teams like to combine their tailgates with the other teams in their grade level or other teams on the same color.

At the Stadium: Game time is 7:30 pm, and you can organize your players in a few ways. Meet at the “Bell”; meet at the “Back Gate”, etc. whatever works to get your players together. Make sure you have at least two coaches to take the players into the stadium. When it’s over, station yourself as near the gates near the restrooms/concessions as you can. Players will come through those gates. It’s very important to emphasize to parents that they meet their children by the gates. Make sure you have their cell phone numbers and that the kids are all accounted for. Wee Elks Night is crazy, especially for the Bantams and 3rd graders. It may also helpful to make a sign such as “Bantam Gold” and hold it up above the crowd.

One and Done:

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Each family is responsible to complete a 3 ¼ hour site assignment shift per participant. Families with more than one child in the program will need to work 2 shifts. Each color football team/ cheer squad will have a primary schedule date, opposite of their game day. Team moms will be responsible for filling the day’s schedule and sending out reminders to the families. Families who are unable to fulfill their obligation on the primary schedule date will be scheduled for a later date in the season when needed. As team mom, once you receive your date you can either just fill in parents names or pass the sheet around at practice and let the parent pick a time to work that day. Anyone not signed up; you can put them into the open spots and let them know.

The different assignments that your team could be responsible for: concession grill front gate back gate

When the parent/family member reports to the field they will need to sign in. All volunteers must be at least 15 years of age. Depending on shift assignment, volunteers will be expected to assist with set up, clean up, and other miscellaneous duties associated with site maintenance.

Parents Day: Parents day is a Wee Elk tradition! Same colored teams are scheduled for the same day (usually in October) at a Schoolhouse Park home game. Parents and players (some teams have just the players and their parents, some have entire families) line up in the end zone approximately ½ hour before game time and are introduced by an announcer of your choosing (or, if you have a very savvy announcer, they can pre-record your introductions and get all the pronunciations correct!) as they walk to mid-field and are greeted by your head coach. Wee Elks will have a photographer taking pictures for every team. We present the families with those pictures the night of the banquet. You will get copies of your teams pictures to distribute when you see fit.

Events:The following are suggestions of events you can plan throughout the season. Please consider inviting your cheerleaders. Remember – you are all one team. The cheerleaders also have a team mom. Contact her/him to get started planning!

o Pool Parties: Great event to schedule right before the season starts. It’s hot, players get to know each other, and you can order pizza. Consider wherever you’re a member. Pay for the players and anyone swimming can pay their own way. Check around for good deals on pizzas (or encourage families to grill.) Team fees can cover the coaches and the players. Generally, plan about $5 for guest passes. You can assign people to bring desserts & drinks, bring a long roll of plastic tablecloth and paper products for easy clean up. Normally pool parties are from 5 to 8 pm. or a little earlier for the younger players, but

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whatever works for you. If you cannot find a pool – you might consider a cookout in someone’s backyard or at School House Park under the shelter.

o Pep Rallies – It is fun to kick off the season with a pep rally. Please try to invite your cheer squad. They can perform their half time dance and a few cheers. Some cheer squads will bring a sign for the players to run through. A treat will complete the night with donuts, cupcakes, or cookies. Please try to coordinate with other teams at the same grade levels to maybe have a big pep rally. We are all ELKS after all.

o Hayrides - Many teams schedule a hayride at one of our local pumpkin patch/hayride establishments. This is a good event to include both the football and cheer families. It is helpful and fun when like-colored teams organize their hayride/cookouts together because of siblings. It’s just easier for the families in the fall to only schedule one event. Try to schedule it for a crisp (we hope) fall day and head out to a pumpkin patch. Players should be pre-paid (team fees) for the hayride and a pumpkin (as the kids get older, you may wish to dispense with the pumpkins, the little ones love it). If you do a hayride and you have older players, you may want to have a “scary” ride or a corn maze. At the younger levels, it’s best not to have scary characters. It should be fun! The team generally provide hot dogs (inexpensive), condiments, paper products and utensils. Remind parents to bring metal roasting skewers (for hotdogs over a fire if necessary). Assign other items (salads, chips, drinks, etc.) to your families.

o Ice cream socials: Vanilla ice cream, Hershey’s syrup, whip cream, M&M sprinkles and cherries, it’s about the cheapest event there is. You’ll need to cover the tables (Activity Center, Schoolhouse, wherever), provide paper bowls (not too small) and spoons. Bring plenty of wet ones/wipes. Sometimes at the Ice Cream Social, team moms give the parents a little gift such as a cowbell painted with their player’s number (can buy them in bulk and coordinate with another team for best prices) or a pin to wear. It’s just a fun social/spirit event. Other times, you can use the time at practice to bond with your other parents and make some of these items together.

o Dinners: Potlucks after practices are fun. If you have involved parents, some have portable tables, generators, whatever. A terrific way for the team to bond, too, is to go out after the games. It is also fun to have a spaghetti dinner at a family's home before a game. Parents can bring breads, salads, their own drinks and the host family can make the spaghetti and sauce. Just an idea.

o Tips for Toilet Papering (starting at 4th or 5th grade): Get permission slip signed by football parents Work with cheer team mom to get:

o List of cheerleaders’ addresses

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o Cheerleaders Parent’s verification of address and signature permission

Plan drivers and parent helpers (avoid taking siblings) Map route around Centerville to each house on Mapquest or

Google Maps (plan for a restroom break or two) Fax signed cheerleader parent permission slip to Washington

Township and Centerville Police prior to TP night Plan to meet for quick dinner (best on Thursday night before

teacher in service) – use team fees for dinner. Have each player bring 12 or 18 pack of toilet paper, water bottle,

sweatshirt Team fees should cover large box of toilet paper from Sams or

dollar store Copy route, permission slips, and parent cell phone numbers for

each driver If players get caught at a house, they do their chant in the yard! BE CAREFUL…Mandate safety first, fun second at this event!

o Snacks for the players after practice: Please confirm with your head coach how often he wants his players to have snacks. You might consider two or three times throughout the season. Suggestion - if it is really hot you might do popsicles, cookies, when it turns cold - hot chocolate, donuts, etc.

Team Mom Game Day Responsibilities

Game Day responsibilities differ for home games and away games. There are, however, some duties that apply to both situations.

Every Game Day:Forms - A very important duty for game day is to have your required paperwork on hand. You will need your official roster and your minimum play sheet.

Announcer Sheet - Before the 4th quarter of the game preceding your, (or as soon as you arrive if you are the first game of the day) you need to provide a roster to the announcer’s booth. Your roster should be in numerical order and should include your head coach. You can add other coaching staff if you want. The cheerleader’s Team Mom will provide a cheerleader roster to the announcer, so you don’t need to take care of that. Make enough copies of this roster to last the whole season and keep them in the folder with your other required paperwork, and then you will always have one handy to turn in. If you made a recording of your intro that should also be delivered to press box/announcer's box at this same time.

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Snacks and Drinks - Most teams have some sort of snacks and drinks on game day. Some provide half-time bottled waters and/or fruit. Game day team mom needs to be sure there are several (4-6) FILLED water bottles on the sideline for the players. You can get these at Dick’s. The beginning of the season will be very warm so we recommend having a large cooler filled with ice water on the bench to refill water bottles as needed. Most teams provide a drink and/or snack after the game. You may use team fees for this, or you may assign families dates to bring these items. It’s your decision on how you’d like this to work for your team. On game day, you would just need to confirm that your drinks and snacks are on site. If you have half-time items, you need to make sure they are waiting for the team wherever the coaches would like them to be.

Game Tunnel - At the end of the game, most teams have parents form a tunnel for the players and cheerleaders to run through after they shake hands with the opposing team. Lead parents to an area on the sideline immediately following the game to congratulate your team for their efforts. As the kids reach the older grades, some coaches feel this tunnel is unnecessary, so check with your coach before your first game.

Home Games:Volunteers - When you play at home, you are responsible for volunteer assignments for the game to run smoothly. You must provide 3 people to be on the “Chain Gang” during your game. The volunteer must be at least 16 years old. These 3 volunteers stand on the opposite side line and move the chains as directed by the officials. Because they are considered part of the officiating staff, they are not allowed to cheer for your team or their child, or have their cell phones on them. This is very important! Typically, you will find a few parents who love this job and will want to do it every game. If not, you should have a volunteer list from the beginning of the season to draw names from. Your volunteers do not need to have experience to do this job. The officials will tell them what they need to do.

You also need to provide 3 people in the announcer booth: an announcer, a spotter, and a clock runner. The announcer announces both teams at the beginning of the game and provides highlights throughout the game. (i.e. who the ball runner is, how many yards gained, who made the tackle, etc.) The spotter provides information to the announcer. (i.e. what yard line they are on, player numbers, etc.) The clock runner runs the clock. There is training provided. The clock and sound system are supposed to be pretty simple to run. If you can find volunteers to do this job for you every home game, the Wee Elks Board can provide training to those new to these jobs. Just let us know.

Away Games:Your first priority for an away game is making sure everyone arrives at the correct place at the correct time. The easiest way to do that is through a caravan. Not everyone will be able to travel with a team caravan due to siblings in the program, but getting as much of the team together as possible is a good idea, especially at the younger grades.

Some Caravan Tips:

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Have parents let you know if they plan on joining the caravan or not, so you know who to expect.

Depart for the field promptly at the time you say you are going to depart. This will help keep those late arriving parents from making everyone late to the game. Typically, coaches want to be on the field an hour before game time, so leave yourself enough travel time so that you arrive on time.

Many teams meet somewhere at Cross Pointe if they are heading north and at old Stein Mart parking or Toys R Us if heading south.

There are directions to every field we travel to on the Wee Elks website (www.weeelks.org).

Keep all parents’ cell phone numbers with you in your phone, so you can call and check on player whereabouts if they haven’t arrived on time to an away destination.

End of Season

Banquet:Location:Remember with family you are going to be looking for a space big enough to seat around 100 people --- this eliminates many facilities. Some have used the high school and their catering department.

Try to find a cordless microphone, you are usually in large rooms with a lot of people.If you plan to show a DVD, make sure you have the equipment you need to show it - computer, projector, DVD player, screen or TV, speakers.

Food:o One option is to have team money pay for the main course ---- chicken --- pizza ---

hamburgers and hot dogs, and each family brings an assigned dish and a two liter bottle of a beverage. Always bargain with your vendors, most will give you a discount or throw in something free.

o Check website www.daytonspectacular.com they have weekend 50% off gift certificates for local eateries.

o Pasta is a favorite of kids. It’s cheap and goes a long way!o We have found most people are more than willing to bring side dishes, drinks, etc. if

asked. This frees up money for other things.o Another option is to do a theme dinner --- italian, mexican, all-american, barbeque.o Full meal catering is also an option but tends to be very expensive.o Another option is finger foods and appetizers only.o Cake or cupcakes are norm for dessert

Michelle Palmer – 885-7366 does a great football field cake or Centerville cupcakes

Kroger’s on 48 has donated sheet cakes in the past

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Decorations: If you wait until right before the banquet you will not be able to find football “stuff”,

so shop early. Centerpieces can be found at Wal-Mart or the Party Supply store. Put a football in a cleat (wash it thoroughly) and put pom poms around it. Make centerpieces by cutting a “c” out of wood, painting it and sticking 5 wires with

curls on the end that held random pictures of the season. Teams had pictures made at Sam’s club (15¢ each). They made enough for each boy to take one home.

Balloons are a nice centerpiece but can be expensive. Check the tables at your location to see if you will need table cloths --- get a roll to

save money. Don’t forget your paper products. Plates, napkins silverware, cups. If you are using a

restaurant, many times they will supplies these. Seat the players together at one table and decorate with a nice “football” table cloth

and you can put their end of year gift in their seat. To keep some order some teams seat the player in jersey number order.

You’ll need room for a trophy table and dessert table. Everyone is different, you might not want to go overboard on decorations - once

everyone is there, it is hard to see anything anyway. Keep more money for gifts.

Agenda: First you should limit your banquet to a couple of hours. Try to work with your coach to limit the amount of talk time for the trophy

presentation. It is nice for a coach to say something about each boy. You may want to start this at the beginning of the season and take notes for the coaches....funny things the kids said or did. You can break it up so each coach has 4 or 5 kids.

Get the kids to write down the best thing about playing football, their best memory, what they are going to miss most when it’s over, etc. This takes some of the pressure off of the coaches to talk about each boy.

Things you might want to include:o Welcome Greeting --- 5 minuteso Dinner – 30 - 45 minuets o Gift presentation to the coaches - 5 minuteso "Thank you"s to volunteers – 5 minuteso Players presentation ---- thanks to all – 10 minuteso Player trophy presentation – 30 minutes o Dessert – 15 minuteso Closing – 5 minutes

DVD:Game DVDs -o This is time consuming but you could offer a DVD after every game to each family. End of Year DVDo Assign someone to this very early before the season begins.o This person may or may not be the same as the team photographer – if not they may

need to work together. This is a HUGE job so be sure the person is up to the task and

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is working on it throughout the season. Many parents take pictures during the season...be sure to have them mark the dates and submit them to the person making the DVD periodically.

o Have it playing while everyone is arriving or while you are eating. 15-20 minutes is plenty of time. Give a copy to each boy.

o Be sure to include lots of blank DVDs in your budget.o Try to have all players get equal time . Individual DVDso If you have the right person with the enough time they could do a DVD for each

player --- include his / her best game and still shots.

Communication: Reserve the date early in the season . Choose a date when there would not be a game. Let your parents know to save the date as soon as possible. If you need numbers ask for them early. Weekly reminders via newsletters. One call the night before.

Fee for parents and siblings: Depending on the food option you choose or the room rental fee, you may have to

charge for family members --- budget early.

Money from the Board: Most years the board will contribute $10 per player to be used for the end of year

banquet --- these check are not cut until very late in the season so you may have to spend some of your own money and be reimbursed later.

Coordination with cheerleaders: It’s very important that the cheerleaders know they are a part of the team. Be sure to

speak with the cheer team mom early in the season to find out what their end-of-season plans are and plan accordingly.

If you include your cheerleaders, remember that they will have budget money for this event as well. Also remember that you need to include the number of your cheerleaders and their families.

If you do not include the cheerleaders - An idea is to invite just the girls and the coaches to attend but encourage them to have their own banquet.

Gifts:Always budget money for end of year gifts for the players and coaches at the beginning of the season. Try to work with other teams to get better pricing on gift items.

o Ideas for Players’ Gifts T-shirts Hats Bags/Blankets

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A team had a dad take pictures of the kids with a cool background and went to Sam’s Club and had them blown up to poster size ($6) and bought inexpensive frames ($5)

Give each player a copy of each article written for each game with a cover sheet that has who they played, date, score and a great action shot of the game. Put in a binder with sheet protectors for each boy. Make a cool cover (ie “A year in Review") be sure to give credit to the writer!

Custom Footballs Hoodies Trinkets

o Framed pictureo Candyo Gift cards

o Ideas for Coaches Gifts Elk wear Same shirt or hat as the boys (just bigger) Scrapbooks Autographed footballs Candid team photo, have the boys sign the matting

o Make sure you have enough people to help set-up before the party. o Make sure you schedule enough time to set-up.

Clean-up:o Make sure you have enough people to help clean-up after the party.

Uniform Hand-In:At the end of your season, after your last tournament game, your players will need to return their helmets, game pants, and shoulder pads. Please ask your parents to remove all stickers from helmets. Dates and times will be provided at a later time. If parents do not return their equipment, they will be charged. Please remind your parents that they signed a form stating they would be responsible to return the equipment at the end of the season.

At any time, if you have questions or feel lost, reach out to other team moms, or to any of us. We are here to help you!

Let's have a great season,

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Roseanne, Meredith, and Julie

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