Maximizing the Experience with Digital Communication

Using Online Tools for Effective Communication and Data Management

Pat Drennan• Varsity Head Coach & Founder – Xavier HS, NYC• Director HS Boys – Brooklyn Crescents• Executive Director – SchoolYard Lax• 20 years experience youth coach – Executive Director

& 10 year Coach, Brooklyn Crescents, Varsity Head Coach & Founder – St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, NJ

Joey Picard• VP & Director of Communications, MBYLL• General Manager, Mass Bay Colonials• Editor-in-Chief of The Scoop: Official Magazine of

Mass Bay Youth Lacrosse• Co-Director for Mass Bay Select• Coordinator of Mass Bay Select All-Stars• 10 years as youth lacrosse coach and town director

(Melrose, MA / South Boston, MA / Boston United Select)

The Tenants of Effective CommunicationEtc…, Etc…

• Expedience

• Transparency

• Clarity

• Exchange

• Targeting

• Content

What are the communication needs of different constituencies?

• Coaches / Team Managers• Athletes / Families• Officials• Club Managers / Organizational Leaders• League / Conference Administrators

Microscopic Needs• Registration• Schedule• Practice & Game

logistics• Attendance /

Participation• Evaluation

• Health & Safety• Finances• Equipment• Rules & Regulations• Certification /

Qualification• Compliance

Macroscopic Needs• Growth of the Game• Sport Development• Community Outreach• Honoring the Game• Shaping Lacrosse Players into Extraordinary

Human Beings

Functionality Considerations• What can the service do? What makes it unique?• How can our needs be met?• How many of our needs can be met with this one

service?• How stable / established is this service?• How accessible is their support function?• Are there integration opportunities?

Cost Considerations• What are the costs?• Do the costs fluctuate? If so, how?• Are there subscriptions? Contracts? Automatic

renewals?• What discounts / promotions / opportunities

are available?• What is the cost/benefit analysis?

Usability Factors• How easy is it to use?• How quickly can tasks be performed?• How easy is it to re-establish proficiency?• How many errors? How severe? How easy is it to

recover?• How pleasant is it to use?

Other Factors to Consider• Identifying communication leaders• Establishing roles and responsibilities• Clarifying channels and structure• Accountability and protection • Educating and training users• The rollout: selling it to others

Tools for the Administrator-Coach Relationship

Tools for the Coach-Parent Relationship

Tools for the Administrator-Parent Relationship

Tools for the Coach-Athlete Relationship

Final Thoughts• For sustainable success, treat your

organization like a personal business

• The most effective platform of communication is personal connection