Summit

[DannyG]

I apologize to Rich, and all IHC's readers that I have been innundated with work and have yet to do justice to the report I am writing on last week's industry summit meeting...as Rebecca and others have alluded, there are some major, defined proponents taking action on moving our sport forward, as a result of the past week's conclave...

I promise to have my report to Richard no later than 12:00 noon, MDT, Thursday, (tomorrow)...

<font color=purple>DannyG</font color=purple>

[SpiderRat]

I understand that nobody from TORHS nor MLRH was at the summit. Were they excluded from the invite list?

Blah Blah Blah, Shoot the puck already

[DannyG]

Nope...much "shop-talk-gossip" and derision, however, were pointed toward those not in attendance. I don't know Tony, but I feel as though I do now from all the stand-up routines I heard around the table remarking upon his absence.

This was indeed a major highlight of the event: everybody was asked to be part of this. If you chose not to do so, you made it obvious that you do not want to be part of the solution to our sports problems.

more to come today...

<font color=purple>DannyG</font color=purple>

[NJRHA]

In defense to Tony from TORHS, he does own a home in Biloxi Mississippi and he is going through a lot of hassle from insurance companies from the Hurricane Katrina.

I was originally schedule to appear at the meeting also but I had to cancel my trip to my job here at the Sports Center.

Chris Gosha
Tab Ramos Sports Center

[johnny2suede]

CG said: In defense to Tony from TORHS

I learn something new everyday. Tony's middle name is "from".

[DannyG]

See what I mean about stand-up...this thing must have been in Las Vegas, nowhere else...

<font color=purple>DannyG</font color=purple>

[RichardGraham]

Hi Dan,

I am currently working on a large feature article about the Summit for Inline Hockey Central's readers.

I have information from a variety of sources, including yourself, and I appreciate all the hard work all of you have done to get me information about the Summit, since I was unable to attend.

I am in the process of sending out e-mail to many of the participants at the Summit to get their reponses to questions that I've come up with, based on what I heard about the Summit and what was discussed there. It will take a few days to get all of their responses and to put all the information I've received into the article.

I thank everyone for their patience.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[DannyG]

I have now been taken to task for the above comment...acknowledge this perspective on my post....meant in jest, no offense meant...sorry, I apologize that offense might have been taken.

I am guilty, sometimes, of taking a familiar bent with individuals that I am not personally acquainted with, and something comes across in electronic print other than intended.

Obviously, there are reasons why any given individual was not able to attend the event...and equally obvious, while an very good attempt was made to have this event be inclusive, it would be impossible to have every single entity included, even if only through neglect.

USA Hockey InLine is to be highly commended for doing this!

Thanks!

<font color=purple>DannyG</font color=purple>

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

I've e-mailed quite a few Inline Hockey Summit attendees and will post a series of articles on Inline Hockey Central soon. I have so much material that I'm trying to figure out how best to use it all.

The good news is that there are a lot of people in our industry who recognize many of the problems facing inline hockey. That's the easy part. The hard part will be coming up with the solutions.

Stay tuned. Thanks for your continued patience.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[CoachFoo]

So after reading the minutes of the meeting, maybe all is not lost for the sport. Two things jump out at you. 1. Talk of unification between usa hockey inline and usars. 2. NHL sending a letter to usa hockey expressing a desire by the NHL to be involved in inline hockey and support it.

If this is all true. We could see so major changes the next few years.


Coach Foo
Colorado Blizzard

[RichardGraham]

Hi Rich,

Yes, it's good to see some momentum in the sport. IHC readers can download a PDF version of the meeting summary by going to:

<A HREF="http://www.usahockey.com/inline/main/home/" target="_new">http://www.usahockey.com/inline/main/home/</A>

I am busy with a couple of freelance deadlines and hope to get my story on the meetings up on IHC very soon.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

Daryn Goodwin of the North American Roller Hockey Championships brought the following handout outlining his ideas on how to solve our sport's problems to the USA Hockey InLine-organized 2005 Inline Hockey Industry Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada.

I am still working on the story for IHC, and I'll simply provide a link to this message in that story, so that all of the the following information, which is important, won't have to be repeated there. It should also help get the discussion about the meeting going here on IHC:

***

Starting points for discussions on Roller Hockey Issues
by Daryn Goodwin, NARCH

Problems in the Tournament Business:

· Need for clarification - what are events trying to accomplish?
NARCh - Championship with regional qualifiers
USAHIL - Championship with regional qualifiers
State Wars - Championship with individual state tryouts
Pacific Cup - Regional tournaments with regional championship (CA, AZ, NV)
TORHS - Championship with regional qualifiers and point system
Top Cat - Regional or National? Freestanding events?
Six Pac - Regional or National? Southwest?
Coastal Cup - Southeast based regional events with Championship
Too Hot For Ice - Regional or National? Southeast?
Echo - Regional or National? Southeast?
AAU - Regionals with Championship. Junior Olympics and USARS Championships?

Each event should explain what they're trying to accomplish so we all have a better understanding. We need to look at each business and ask ourselves if they're truly benefiting the sport or just benefiting FROM the sport.

· Scheduling Event - communication has improved recently but is still an issue. Some tournaments release a schedule then change it drastically after it has been released, so even when people try to work around it it's impossible to avoid conflict.

· Saturated Markets - Tournaments do not work together, or maybe their business model is to do as many events as possible, but it creates a market where there are too many tournaments competing with each other, which results in poorly attended events, cancelled events, or rescheduled events. While the rink owners should also share the responsibility of scheduling too many events, this gives the whole tournament business a bad wrap. Tournaments definitely shouldn't be adding events in markets where their events the previous year had marginal attendance. If tournaments are canceling 2 or more events per year it shows that they're either greedy by scheduling too many events, spread too thin and lack the time to do quality events, or simply don't know the business that they're in. Throwing darts at a map and hoping some stick in not logical thinking.

· Entry Fees - The most effective and efficient tournaments can be ran when you get the entry fee in advance. Some tournaments accept entry fees at the event. This leaves the leverage with the customer. If they don't like their schedule or just don't feel like showing up, it impacts the whole event, and future events for that matter.

Standardizing Ideas for Tournaments

· Roster Lock Dates - Pacific Cup already does this and it does not apply to State Wars or the one time only events. One of the main issues in our sport is the fact that players can bounce all over from team to team. NARCh already has rules and regulations to prevent this, but we need even more. NARCh is going to lock rosters 14 days after the first event in which a team qualifies for our FINALS. A written release form will be created and it will be between the coach and the parent to clearly communicate if a release is needed. If a team opts not to go to our FINALS, then that player may be added to another team assuming he meets all other qualifications. We only allow one move per season. If other events implemented the same rules, or even similar rules, it will help unify the sport. (example)

· Roster Forging and Proof of Age - For those of us that have roster regulations and follow them, this is an issue. Anyone caught forging a roster should be banned from all roller hockey events for a year. The team that is associated with the roster should be disqualified from the event. Proof must be attained by the tournament. This should also apply for POA. (example)

· Require Coaches to be Certified - If USAHIL were to give coaching clinics at the NARCh FINALS and other events throughout the year, I would be open to mandating that all of the coaches that coach at NARCh be certified. If other tournaments did the same it would help in the education and overall development of the sport.

· Communication - A conference call between tournament organizations once a month, maybe the first Wednesday of each month, would help in every way. Identify problem people in the sport: coaches, check bouncers, general issues. USAHIL should be the facilitator.

Need for Structure and A Clear Path

· The sport needs structure to attract and keep players. There should be a ladder of progression that everyone recognizes.
1. Beginner level with instruction - house league
2. Inner-league play with other local rinks
3. Grass-root tournaments with beginner travel teams
4. Ultimate goals in the sport - NARCh, State Wars, College, Select Camps and Team USA, Pro.

At the entry level, child development should be stressed such as physical and social benefits. Even the entry-level players should be aware of the ultimate goals in the sport. Clear goals are needed and a way to accomplish those goals should be laid out. A lack of this is part of the reason that players choose other sports after a while.

At the local level rinks must create a fun, socially entertaining environment. For example, throw a potluck awards banquet at the end of each league at the rink.

Grassroots Efforts

· Need to identify marketing strategy - what is working to get new kids in the sport? What has been tried and doesn't work? Basic marketing ideas: Use other sports as avenue: Hand out fliers at T-ball, soccer games, etc. Promotions such as bring a friend to sign-up and pay half dues. Contest for player that gets the most kids involved with the prize being head to toe gear or a pair of skates. Market ice kids to play in the off-season. Local media? When is the last time the news did a story? Try to plan it around league sign-ups! Market through schools. Parents of players place of employment.

· Larger Markets need to link with NHL Club Support - With the NHL wanting to expand their fan base, there's no reason that local rinks shouldn't be working with the local team, cross-promoting the sport of hockey. Parking lot games before NHL Games, a booth at the facility, etc. When a 7 yr old goes with his dad to a great game and is walking out thinking, &quot;I'd really like to start playing hockey,&quot; he should walk right by a booth that shows him how and where he can get involved.

Random Thoughts on Important Issues

· Growth from proper exposure and credibility - This is one area where USAHIL can do a better job. The magazine does not do the sport justice. There's still resistance from much of the ice world. What has USA Hockey done for USAHIL? NARCh has worked hard to legitimize the sport through NARCh Player Program, relationship with NHL (roller games on NHL.com), rules and regulations, overall structure. In addition to this, the very best players play in NARCh, which also adds credibility. I have examples to share where there's been missed opportunity on the part of USA Hockey and USAHIL.

· Big picture growth through television - Golf does it with the FIRST TEE Program. Why not do the same with roller? At the end of the commercial there should be an 800 number that rings in the USAHIL Office to connect interested participants with rinks. Follow-up would be key to avoid disconnect. I'm sure budget will be the main issue with this going forward, but bigger ideas such as this need to be explored.

· What is the One Goal Program doing for roller hockey? - Do they realize that roller players are hockey fans? Are they aware that a lot of ice kids start in roller and many go back and forth? I've brought this up with the NHL as well. There should be roller presence in their efforts.

· State of High School Roller Hockey - In California over the last number of years there's been a major push to make it a CIF Sport. While originally this looked to be a great thing to advance the sport, many are now viewing it differently. The benefit is that roller hockey is recognized by the school as a legitimate sport. The drawbacks are as follows: Players cannot play in other roller hockey events during the CIF season, they can only play for their school. While many travel team coaches are paid professionals, most high school coaches are parents. Athletic Directors already have a lot of sports on their plate, are they really going to look out for this sports best interest? An additional issue with high school roller hockey is the lack of standardization in eligibility.

***

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[Rebecca]

Hey

How is the story coming? This was monumental and people should still be talking about it!

Rebecca

http://www.collegerollerhockey.net/bb/files/avatar_stallion.gif

[RichardGraham]

Hey Rebecca,

I'm working on it right now. Several people I sent e-mail questionnaires to have yet to reply, and a few sent replies that were so few on details as to be useless. So, I am powering on without them.

Remember, anyone who wishes to can read the summaries of the summit that area already linked to in this thread. There's a lot of information there already.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central