FlipGive would like to give a huge shout out to all of the teams that nominated their managers for our Team Manager of The Year award! Each manager won $500 for their hockey fundraiser on Flipgive. We got to talk to two of the winners and get their best insights on what makes a team successful, and how they inspire their players all season long.
Lindsay Thorley: Team manager, Aldergrove Minor Hockey Association
On being a team manager:
The teams manager is the liaison between the parents and the association as well as the coaches and the parents, they need to ensure all information is shared. They need to support their coaching staff (And have their coaching staff support them). We do everything possible to allow the coaches to coach and not worry about any off ice details. It really is about so much more than getting game numbers booking refs and searching for tournaments.
On her players:
I love the kids, most of these kids I’ve seen go from rink rats to mature teens driving themselves to the rink. I’ve got to be part of their journey. I’ve met some really great people throughout the years and formed some pretty fantastic relationships.
On what it means to be a team parent:
Sometimes I get really stressed out about what's going on, but I always try to remember that these are special moments that won't last foreber. It’s amazing how quickly it goes from tying your son/daughters skates to them driving themselves to their games to no more games to go watch, one day you’ll be sad you don’t have a 5AM practice to drive to. And wine…lots of wine ;)
The biggest challenge:
There can be a few challenges being the teams manger from the panicked moments of hoping the refs show up (Exhaling when you finally see them stripes) to making sure you get your teams in tournaments and have booked a nice hotel! We are also in charge of figuring out the finances, so constantly going to your circle of people with something else for them to support and competing with other teams, associations, groups can be very challenging.
[brands]
Dave Oakes: Team Manager, Whitby Minor Hockey Association
On being a team manager:
I figured I was already spending so much time at the rink, why not pitch in and lend a hand. It also allows the coach to focus on coaching and developing hockey skills for the children on the ice. I believe the manager is the person that ties the team together on ice and off ice.
On being a team parent:
Watching the kids grow to love the sport as much as I do is the best part of being a manager. Hockey is the greatest youth sport around and the lasting friendships these kids make are one of a kind.
On hockey:
Hockey is the greatest youth sport around. The memories these kids make coupled with the skill set it gives them is something I really believe in.
The biggest challenge:
Finances. The team manager is responsible for handling all fundraising throughout the on and off season, and this can become quite a challenge.
[earners]
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS
FlipGive and Cammi Granato would like to thank our official supporters Dallas Stars, Seattle Kraken, LA Kings, Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, Hawerchuk Strong, Jackson Events, Canlan and other donors for helping support future legends as part of the Cammi Granato Girls Hockey Grant.
ABOUT CAMMI GRANATO:
Cammi Granato is a former captain of the United States women's national ice hockey team, Olympic gold medalist and one of the first women to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010. She currently works as a scout for the NHL’s Seattle Kraken organization.
ABOUT FLIPGIVE:
FlipGive is a free tool to make and manage money for your team. Earn cashback toward team expenses, balance the budget, accept fee payments, and more. Managers and parents save time and energy while lowering the cost to play. Teams across North America have earned $29M and counting. Learn more at flipgive.com
