Little League Football Officers' Manual

22 COMMUNICATIONS

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Too many Leagues fail to realise the importance of this topic. Communications keep people informed, help generate enthusiasm, good ideas, help prevent misunderstandings, help keep the funds rolling in etc.

Committee meetings are not just to make decisions - they are also to give and receive information. All the committee should attend (in some large Leagues, there is sometimes a different method - see Section 6) and minutes must be prompt and specifically issued to everyone. Stale minutes are useless.

Newsletters keep parents advised / interested. They help breed enthusiasm, show that your League is alive, encourage volunteers. They should also be sent to Sponsors and people you wish to influence - such as local authority councillors, the local paper, the local sports shop etc.

Notice board are useful; not just for fixtures and results, but also for forthcoming events, items of news, photos. Items in local papers give your league a higher profile and attract outsiders.

Team Managers also need to develop communication skills in advising and enthusing their players about such matters as fixtures, training in terms that the children can understand.

The Little League Football web site www.littleleaguefootball.com can give information to those looking for somewhere for their kids to play. Your own web site can do so much more.

Sponsors can contribute major amounts each year - but too many Leagues only ever make contact once a year (with a request for money) and then wonder why they give up. The effort and expense to send them newsletters, fixture lists, invites to opening days, cup finals, photos of their team, is quite small, and most will probably decline the invites. But they like to be asked, and to feel appreciated.

Likewise the effort in cultivating good relationships with important outsiders pays off if you work at it. Get to know the people on the local authority who deal with pitch bookings, pitch maintenance, the Councillor in charge of the Leisure Committee. Invite the Mayor to openings days. Send them all newsletters. Make sure they know what a good job you do for the local children. Their support may well help keep pitch charges down and provide opportunities and favourable responses to your needs.