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Post by soccerlegacy on Feb 25, 2020 13:57:18 GMT -5
I'm sure you're right Soccerhouse... I've always wondered if the coaches/clubs read this board (more specifically, the clubs, as I know some on here already stated they are coaches)... but what frustrates me is that they, therefore, must see the complaints written here... like yours about the need for better communication... and yet I never get the sense that it is being addressed.
It would be nice to have a new section on this site for Q&A's to the clubs. A member on here could pose a question and wait for the corresponding club to respond to it. I know it would never happen, but one can dream!
It would go a long way to addressing these issues that feaster, help to stop negative rumors a club might have, and provide insight to the players and the parents... easing the minds of those left wondering. Anyway, it was just a thought I had after reading your post.
P.S. It could help take out the "us" vs "them" mentality and bring the soccer community together as a whole... crazy though, I know...
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Post by atlfutboldad on Feb 25, 2020 14:21:16 GMT -5
Each club is a different entity though. The answers would be different for each club.
I think the answer to this is that clubs need to appoint a family liaison. Above all they need to understand that more communication is better than less. Most have social media, to different effect (I follow several clubs as does the board =>).
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Post by soccerlegacy on Feb 25, 2020 14:56:20 GMT -5
Each club is a different entity though. The answers would be different for each club. I think the answer to this is that clubs need to appoint a family liaison. Above all they need to understand that more communication is better than less. Most have social media, to different effect (I follow several clubs as does the board =>). Yes. That is what I meant. If they could have a verified representative of the club have a membership on this forum. The questions could be directed to them specifically as well as have a "pinned" general questions thread. Not every club has to sign up and do this, but the ones that did, I think, would have some very appreciative supporters. Again, I know this is just my crazy thought... but if my club was responding to its members on here, I might feel like they cared and be more willing to give then the benefit of the doubt when questioning my families next moves. Would you like if your club was able to address questions you might have? This is a business... and most businesses that takes the time to respond to its customers usually get some good will for their efforts. |
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Post by Soccerhouse on Feb 25, 2020 15:03:30 GMT -5
Each club is a different entity though. The answers would be different for each club. I think the answer to this is that clubs need to appoint a family liaison. Above all they need to understand that more communication is better than less. Most have social media, to different effect (I follow several clubs as does the board =>). Agree. Experienced family liaisons would be huge. |
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Post by sanesoccerdad on Feb 25, 2020 15:18:23 GMT -5
It would be great, but the problem is that the question most parents really want answered is: "What is going to happen to my son/daughter if X happens?"
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Post by mistergrinch on Feb 25, 2020 15:57:35 GMT -5
Each club is a different entity though. The answers would be different for each club. I think the answer to this is that clubs need to appoint a family liaison. Above all they need to understand that more communication is better than less. Most have social media, to different effect (I follow several clubs as does the board =>). I'd be happy if clubs simply had a method for anonymous feedback.. from parents and players. Obviously you're going to get some really bizatchy people, but I'd bet you could gain some good information. |
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Post by slickdaddy96 on Feb 25, 2020 16:50:25 GMT -5
Each club is a different entity though. The answers would be different for each club. I think the answer to this is that clubs need to appoint a family liaison. Above all they need to understand that more communication is better than less. Most have social media, to different effect (I follow several clubs as does the board =>). I'd be happy if clubs simply had a method for anonymous feedback.. from parents and players. Obviously you're going to get some really bizatchy people, but I'd bet you could gain some good information. Absolutely agree. I believe some here probably use this forum as semi-anonymous feedback to be honest. I know I vent sometimes, and I really don't care if the club reads it and knows who I am or not. |
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Post by Soccerhouse on Feb 25, 2020 17:20:56 GMT -5
At one point we created a "section" for questions for clubs -- had some good comments/questions, but then just wasn't being utilized enough. Really needs to be almost moderated to the point that only "certain" people are allowed to reply etc.
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Feb 25, 2020 18:50:32 GMT -5
I'd be happy if clubs simply had a method for anonymous feedback.. from parents and players. Obviously you're going to get some really bizatchy people, but I'd bet you could gain some good information. Absolutely agree. I believe some here probably use this forum as semi-anonymous feedback to be honest. I know I vent sometimes, and I really don't care if the club reads it and knows who I am or not. I agree with all the posts about communications, family liaisons and especially the anonymity factor. slickdaddy96 you are probably well versed in the game and know what to ask without coming off as a neophyte or worse yet ignorant. But sadly many parents are new to the world of soccer and are apprehensive about what to ask, when to ask, etc... Good idea btw about the anonymous feedback... |
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Post by soccerlegacy on Feb 26, 2020 10:30:21 GMT -5
Yep, agreed to all of you. And the reason I thought it would be nice to have the Q&A on this site IS because of the anonymity. Their customers could get the feedback they are looking for and the clubs that did participate would be able convey a message of truly caring... which could end up having a ulterior consequence of helping them drive parents and players to their clubs.
I'm sure mistergrinch is right, their would be some bizatchy comments... along with those that are the"What is going to happen to my son/daughter if X happens?" like sanesoccerdad stated.
But I wouldn't expect them to feel they have to answer to the individualized questions. I was thinking more about responses to the broader questions about their club, the climate in Georgia soccer, where that fits in within the region... or being a guide to kids looking to advance in level, or looking to go to college and what to expect, etc.
It would need to be moderated, where only certain verified people could respond. It wouldn't be utilized often as you described, but again ya'll this is just my daydreaming, I know it's not going to be a reality. The clubs would have to 'want' to participate.
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Post by footballer on Feb 26, 2020 12:10:10 GMT -5
Yep, agreed to all of you. And the reason I thought it would be nice to have the Q&A on this site IS because of the anonymity. Their customers could get the feedback they are looking for and the clubs that did participate would be able convey a message of truly caring... which could end up having a ulterior consequence of helping them drive parents and players to their clubs. I'm sure mistergrinch is right, their would be some bizatchy comments... along with those that are the"What is going to happen to my son/daughter if X happens?" like sanesoccerdad stated. But I wouldn't expect them to feel they have to answer to the individualized questions. I was thinking more about responses to the broader questions about their club, the climate in Georgia soccer, where that fits in within the region... or being a guide to kids looking to advance in level, or looking to go to college and what to expect, etc. It would need to be moderated, where only certain verified people could respond. It wouldn't be utilized often as you described, but again ya'll this is just my daydreaming, I know it's not going to be a reality. The clubs would have to 'want' to participate. This proposed liaison would be paid? Or just volunteering their time to go back and forth with parents and club? I think as far as a club rep answering questions, you can ask your coach or director face to face whatever questions you want by setting an appointment or calling them. I doubt any club will put themselves out on a forum anonymously or not, rather they will have one of those chatrooms on their website to handle that. The parent/club liason sounds like a good idea and like people on here have said "parents should be part of the solution" if we want soccer to grow in a great environment. I would think that person needs to get paid, whether its by both parents and clubs or usys or ussoccer. |
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Post by Soccerhouse on Feb 26, 2020 12:16:12 GMT -5
every age group could have a formal point of contact with the club -- anonymous or not.
(this is often the coach from the top team in each group -- might not be formally announced and communicated, but this often the pyramid)
The key is to have some form of formal communication where players/parents can take the necessary steps and its not perceived they are going above their current coach.
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Post by mistergrinch on Feb 26, 2020 12:36:22 GMT -5
Well, the anonymous feedback idea (vs something like this forum) is more for all the people who may want to politely say 'hey.. we'd prefer not to have this coach back'.. or 'please keep our coach and ignore the bizatchy parents'. A LOT of parents are afraid to bring up things like this, fearing that there could be retaliation.
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Post by slickdaddy96 on Feb 26, 2020 13:21:54 GMT -5
Well, the anonymous feedback idea (vs something like this forum) is more for all the people who may want to politely say 'hey.. we'd prefer not to have this coach back'.. or 'please keep our coach and ignore the bizatchy parents'. A LOT of parents are afraid to bring up things like this, fearing that there could be retaliation. Bingo, that would be what I would use any anonymous feedback for. I would use it only for negative stuff that I feel there might be repercussions if I said it directly but things that need to be addressed none-the-less. Positive stuff I wouldn't have an issue saying to someone's face. |
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Post by mistergrinch on Feb 27, 2020 11:32:35 GMT -5
Well, the anonymous feedback idea (vs something like this forum) is more for all the people who may want to politely say 'hey.. we'd prefer not to have this coach back'.. or 'please keep our coach and ignore the bizatchy parents'. A LOT of parents are afraid to bring up things like this, fearing that there could be retaliation. Bingo, that would be what I would use any anonymous feedback for. I would use it only for negative stuff that I feel there might be repercussions if I said it directly but things that need to be addressed none-the-less. Positive stuff I wouldn't have an issue saying to someone's face. I've definitely seen parents try to be delicate and discuss issues with the club, only to have the coach in question dragged directly into the conversation. Awkward. |
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Feb 27, 2020 11:43:33 GMT -5
Have we thought about having a team liaison whom everyone can go to and conversely can give feedback to the club and it's leadership about the mood and temperature of the people(customers) on the front lines? This liaison would be informed of minor and major happenings at the club. Ideally, this person would have been at the club for some time and better yet have an older kid who would have gone thru the experience already. Sometimes this is the TM but other times a TM is not as engaged and tends to have a contentious relationship with the team parents since they are the face of and point of contact for changes in practices, games and the dreaded collection of dues, fees, etc.
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Post by soccerlegacy on Feb 27, 2020 14:40:23 GMT -5
I don't know how to set up one of those "polls" on here, but it would be interesting if one were set up to validate the interest on the subject of liaisons/Q&A's .... and one that would tally who is a parent, player, coach, director, admin for a club... all anonymously, of course.
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Post by Soccerhouse on Feb 27, 2020 14:48:29 GMT -5
As a former TM etc, sometimes it got overwhelming dealing with general TM work and then all the ?s -- I often just said, look you need to talk to the coach etc - just shoot him/her an email.
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