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I was talking to some one about AAA hockey. I asked him how his association tryouts were going?

He told me that his association is offering pre-selected apparel. The players and families are limited on what apparel they get to purchase.
To make matters worse he told me the association is going to pick where the last names, numbers, and team affiliation is stitched on the apparel.

Is this typical in other associations?

I find it hard to believe that any association would limit teams to purchase pre-selected apparel.
Anyways I was just wondering if anyone else does this?

Lets hope associations don't tell us where we have to purchase our hockey equipment.

What's next? fair play rule?

our association is doing this too, I think trying to crack down on rogue teams in the association that go out and get team-specific logos, hats, etc. One of our B2 teams last year went a little nuts with this stuff. Not sure what the big problem is.... probably some marketing/branding guru on the board who wants to bring corporate values to our lil ol' association.

I personally like uniformity and can't stand things like nameplates on youth jerseys or white gloves. but it IS just kids hockey after all....

I think one reason is to ensure the entire team has a uniform look. You dont want a handful of players to have one look and then the cool kids go out and get a different set of warmups.

Also, I know for our association, we went to one warm up style for all age groups. I dont think they wanted families to be forced to buy a new set of warm ups every year. If they still fit, why not get a second year out of them? There are a lot of families with 3-4 skaters, and buying that many sets of warm ups every year can get out of hand.

It stifles the creative tendencies of the team moms, but there is something to be said about it helping to bring the entire association together instead of having an arms race to see who has the fanciest warm ups.

zooomx wrote:I think one reason is to ensure the entire team has a uniform look. You dont want a handful of players to have one look and then the cool kids go out and get a different set of warmups.

Also, I know for our association, we went to one warm up style for all age groups. I dont think they wanted families to be forced to buy a new set of warm ups every year. If they still fit, why not get a second year out of them? There are a lot of families with 3-4 skaters, and buying that many sets of warm ups every year can get out of hand.

It stifles the creative tendencies of the team moms, but there is something to be said about it helping to bring the entire association together instead of having an arms race to see who has the fanciest warm ups.

Yeah, you know especially during tryouts and afterward, it's surprising how much animosity there can be between teams and players in the same association. Heck, as zoom points out, even on the same team it can be tough to overcome the cliques, but that's a coach's job. Tougher to cultivate association-wide pride (cue Inigo on worthless boards of directors and unearned and undeserved association pride and the value of the individual over the group).

Thanks. I was just wondering if any other association is doing this. From what I understand parents are ordering the apparel at try outs. So the players aren't guaranteed to have the same apparel even though they're on the same team.
Not to mention they're taking substantial business away from other local hockey stores by doing business with one store.

What is the logical reason why any association would limit what apparel team wear?

Irish wrote:Thanks. I was just wondering if any other association is doing this. From what I understand parents are ordering the apparel at try outs. So the players aren't guaranteed to have the same apparel even though they're on the same team.
Not to mention they're taking substantial business away from other local hockey stores by doing business with one store.

What is the logical reason why any association would limit what apparel team wear?

I'm confused, you want every team in your association to be wearing different warmups? Wouldn't you WANT every single team to be wearing the same warmups (should they choose to want a warmup) in order that you have association unity and overall team pride? I don't understand? Now if multiple vendors can offer the exact same warmup I don't understand limiting the vendors but it makes perfect sense limiting the warmup apparel to a single uniformed deal. I don't understand why anyone would NOT want that. Makes no sense. How do you develop team pride and unity?

My kid has done Squirts, PW (assume Bantam will be same)-
Squirts- TEAM is invited to try on sample sizes of jackets, sweats, t-shirts, hats..."apparel". Apparel is all uniform IE-same color, brand, style. Kids purchase what they want. It is all uniform. All names, #'s, logos are same font, same placement.

Peewees- ditto.

Bottom line- what do you want? Everything 'on your own'? You always have that option I suppose. Not sure why you'd choose that? It's usually cheaper buying in mass and looks 100X's better.

**Also- our association doesn't "limit" us, it's usually the team moms that do all this (unheralded) work for us. Which is great.

JSR wrote:

Irish wrote:Thanks. I was just wondering if any other association is doing this. From what I understand parents are ordering the apparel at try outs. So the players aren't guaranteed to have the same apparel even though they're on the same team.
Not to mention they're taking substantial business away from other local hockey stores by doing business with one store.

What is the logical reason why any association would limit what apparel team wear?

I'm confused, you want every team in your association to be wearing different warmups? Wouldn't you WANT every single team to be wearing the same warmups (should they choose to want a warmup) in order that you have association unity and overall team pride? I don't understand? Now if multiple vendors can offer the exact same warmup I don't understand limiting the vendors but it makes perfect sense limiting the warmup apparel to a single uniformed deal. I don't understand why anyone would NOT want that. Makes no sense. How do you develop team pride and unity?

Like I said it doesn't effect me. But I wouldn't like to show up and be told I have two choices of jackets to choose from. Oh by the way...... We're also going to show you where to place the numbers, team placement, last names. Why? Sorry. It just bothers me.
From what I was told kids are ordering what they want. Problem is when they show up on their new team they're all going to have different style apparel. But on a positive note at least the last names, numbers, and team placement will all be the same for every team. How is this team unity?
Please some one tell me the logical thinking behind this move?

Like I said before. What's next? being told they have to use a certain sports shop to purchase their hockey equipment?

Irish wrote:

JSR wrote:

Irish wrote:Thanks. I was just wondering if any other association is doing this. From what I understand parents are ordering the apparel at try outs. So the players aren't guaranteed to have the same apparel even though they're on the same team.
Not to mention they're taking substantial business away from other local hockey stores by doing business with one store.

What is the logical reason why any association would limit what apparel team wear?

I'm confused, you want every team in your association to be wearing different warmups? Wouldn't you WANT every single team to be wearing the same warmups (should they choose to want a warmup) in order that you have association unity and overall team pride? I don't understand? Now if multiple vendors can offer the exact same warmup I don't understand limiting the vendors but it makes perfect sense limiting the warmup apparel to a single uniformed deal. I don't understand why anyone would NOT want that. Makes no sense. How do you develop team pride and unity?

Like I said it doesn't effect me. But I wouldn't like to show up and be told I have two choices of jackets to choose from. Oh by the way...... We're also going to show you where to place the numbers, team placement, last names. Why? Sorry. It just bothers me.
From what I was told kids are ordering what they want. Problem is when they show up on their new team they're all going to have different style apparel. But on a positive note at least the last names, numbers, and team placement will all be the same for every team. How is this team unity?
Please some one tell me the logical thinking behind this move?

Like I said before. What's next? being told they have to use a certain sports shop to purchase their hockey equipment?

why would you not want it to look the same? look at different sports all the way up--HS, College & Pro--they all wear the same thing--that's why it's called a team....you want your kid to be an indivdual? try snowboarding, or tennis--those are indivdual sports. Sounds like you're complaining just to complain

juiceman- Not complaining just to complain. Once again. These teams will not look the same. The parents are already ordering apparel right now. There is no way every kid is going to show up and look the same. But at least all the kids will have the logo - numbers - name and team placement in the right area.
My buddy told me they're not positive on team placement on the apparel. You know, I would hate to offend anyone. God forbid placing A team on the apparel.

FYI. Looking the same means the teams will actually get to pick what they wear, opposed to some one else giving them two jackets to choose from.

I'm blessed our association actually has more important things to worry about.

We have the same for ALL teams. I like it, you can hand the stuff down from kid to kid.

Irish wrote:juiceman- Not complaining just to complain. Once again. These teams will not look the same. The parents are already ordering apparel right now. There is no way every kid is going to show up and look the same. But at least all the kids will have the logo - numbers - name and team placement in the right area.
My buddy told me they're not positive on team placement on the apparel. You know, I would hate to offend anyone. God forbid placing A team on the apparel.

FYI. Looking the same means the teams will actually get to pick what they wear, opposed to some one else giving them two jackets to choose from.

I'm blessed our association actually has more important things to worry about.

I guess I'm totally missing the point of your complaint ... when did a hockey TEAM become about your kid?

Why is it so important to let the world know your kid is an "A" kid. Congratulations ... now go tell the world!!! YIPEE!!!

Yeah, I still do not understand the complaint. Our association chooses ONE warmup jacket that the whole association can either choose to order or not order but we want some form of uniformity when it comes to warmups and jerseys. I don't see the problem with this. As for other types of apparel like tshirts, sweatshirts, hats etc... there are a bunch to choose from. Also, our association chooses ONE vendor because that vendor in turn returns 10% of all sales to our assoication which helps keeps dues lower. I also don't know why you would ever want to place "A" team on the apparel. I buy the kids apparel big enough to )hopefully) last three seasons AND if it's still in good shape to be able to be passed down to the younger siblings so I love the uniformity from that perspective as well. Yeah, I still do not understand the grip at all.

JSR wrote:Yeah, I still do not understand the complaint. Our association chooses ONE warmup jacket that the whole association can either choose to order or not order but we want some form of uniformity when it comes to warmups and jerseys. I don't see the problem with this. As for other types of apparel like tshirts, sweatshirts, hats etc... there are a bunch to choose from. Also, our association chooses ONE vendor because that vendor in turn returns 10% of all sales to our assoication which helps keeps dues lower. I also don't know why you would ever want to place "A" team on the apparel. I buy the kids apparel big enough to )hopefully) last three seasons AND if it's still in good shape to be able to be passed down to the younger siblings so I love the uniformity from that perspective as well. Yeah, I still do not understand the grip at all.

This is an old argument that has some merit on both sides. You keep asking why any association would do this?

By setting up a standard of what they want people to wear the association can at least attempt to keep costs down (buying in bulk, keeping the customization to a "reasonable" level etc.). They can also try to control teams from going crazy with competition on warm-ups/sweatshirts etc.. There are some parents who make the team clothing a divisive issue right at the beginning of the season when you are trying to bring together the team. They inconsiderately come up with an overly expensive idea (that of course kids will love) without thinking about the cost to all the families.

There are a lot of people out there who are looking for ways to save money in hockey. Having a new team warm-up/sweatshirt every year adds to the cost of hockey. If an association standardizes on a set up, there is potential that parents can re-use the old one a 2nd year or with a younger sibling.

Of course, there are also the overprotective parents who worry that their kid, who maybe didn't make the team they hoped, is going to be bummed each time they see the 'special' clothing for a team. They complain to the board and make it their mission to make sure that no team can show off that they are on a higher level team by putting it on their stuff. The approach they use is to talk about 'club unity' etc. when in actuality they just want to stop certain teams from differentiating themselves from others because they don’t want to have to deal with their kid wanting something different.

Personally, I think it is good to have the association provide a lower cost alternative that TEAMS as a group can choose to purchase. It’s an easy, simple way for teams to get their team clothing. However, I have no issue if a team thinks it’s so important to ‘customize’ that they want to get their own stuff…go ahead and have at it. The only thing I hope is that whatever is done is an overall TEAM decision...not just a few parents.

As with most of these petty issues that seem to come up in associations, if a person doesn't like what’s being done...join the board and have a say in it. When it is all said and done, the important thing is looking like a team when playing the game on the ice not how 'cool' your team clothing is when you walk into the rink.

Maybe I am reading Irish's point wrong. But I think they have more than one option available and people are ordering then before tryouts. So his kids' team will have 2-3 different style of warm-ups and coats.

Would make sense to have ONE style association wide.

I HATE having each team pioneer their own stuff. Two years ago on one of my kids team, the stuff came from some on-line place and was absolute junk. Paper thin pants and UGLY sweatshirts that the kids all hated, so nobody even would wear.

Find a good quality supplier for 1 style and stay with it for a few years to get 2-3 years out of the stuff.

Side note, try having your association change required helmet color!

I don't really care for the association apparel at the youth levels....they look like a bunch of spoiled little brats.

But we all know it's not the kids.

Many associations use the formula that there will be a "line" of apparel across levels. For instance, squirts will wear one style of warmup, while peewees and bantams will wear soemthing different. This allows players to wear warmups for two years in most cases. It also does give a more uniform look to the teams, you could only imagine 8 different squirt teams in Edina going to different sports shops and getting different sweatshirts in different shades of green.
Also, I'm sure it creates revenue for the association. If you allow one vendor to provide all of your apperal, my guess is they make some sort of "donation" back to the association.

Am I on the girl's forum? Worries about apparel?

This Year B-ville decided (Board ) that we would keep registration the same and provide every kid in the association a FREE Hoodie and Hat as team apparrell. The funds used to purchase these were profits from Hockey Moms sales in previous years. (That is money that was spent by our members to purchase warmups hats and other team items from previous years). We are having issues keeping Numbers and as a board we thought that this would keep costs down and provide a community spirit.

You would have thought that we mandated that kids wear thongs to the rink. We have had compaints like you would not believe. I for one am not dissapointed that I don't have to shell out another $150 after tryouts for a warmup to differentiate my kid from the other teams. It just goes to show that you will never make everyone happy.

No worries. Like I said it really doesn't effect me. I just fear some day associations will start telling the parents where they have to purchase their hockey equipment.
I'm happy our association teams have a choice if they want to purchase apparel on their own.

Irish wrote: I'm happy our association teams have a choice if they want to purchase apparel on their own.

As it should be...

It was a tough sell with second year bantams that they should switch to the 'new apparel' when they thought they would get a second year out of the set they had. Than the association went with the same brand warmup, so we could get through a season or two with a slightly different logo. Now, I like the standard because as it sits right now I am not looking at an extra $300 for warmups this year, every kid in the house has a warm up that fits.

Three things: DO NOT PUT kids first name on jackets ever. Makes it far to easy for strangers (pedophiles) to walk up to a kid and act like the kid should know them. "Hey Hannah, how's it going? Remember me, I'm your dad's friend." And I'm not talking about at the rink, kids where their jackets everywhere.

And, buy hats if your team wants to put the team level on something. Get something with color or white so that the kids are not in the parking lot dressed in black from head to toe.

And lastly, if they are bantams don't put their number on anything. If there's a questionable hit some opposing team parents can hunt down the kid/family after the game. Seriously.

DMom wrote:It was a tough sell with second year bantams that they should switch to the 'new apparel' when they thought they would get a second year out of the set they had. Than the association went with the same brand warmup, so we could get through a season or two with a slightly different logo. Now, I like the standard because as it sits right now I am not looking at an extra $300 for warmups this year, every kid in the house has a warm up that fits.

Three things: DO NOT PUT kids first name on jackets ever. Makes it far to easy for strangers (pedophiles) to walk up to a kid and act like the kid should know them. "Hey Hannah, how's it going? Remember me, I'm your dad's friend." And I'm not talking about at the rink, kids where their jackets everywhere.

And, buy hats if your team wants to put the team level on something. Get something with color or white so that the kids are not in the parking lot dressed in black from head to toe.

And lastly, if they are bantams don't put their number on anything. If there's a questionable hit some opposing team parents can hunt down the kid/family after the game. Seriously.

wow--a little over the top?

the_juiceman wrote:

DMom wrote:It was a tough sell with second year bantams that they should switch to the 'new apparel' when they thought they would get a second year out of the set they had. Than the association went with the same brand warmup, so we could get through a season or two with a slightly different logo. Now, I like the standard because as it sits right now I am not looking at an extra $300 for warmups this year, every kid in the house has a warm up that fits.

Three things: DO NOT PUT kids first name on jackets ever. Makes it far to easy for strangers (pedophiles) to walk up to a kid and act like the kid should know them. "Hey Hannah, how's it going? Remember me, I'm your dad's friend." And I'm not talking about at the rink, kids where their jackets everywhere.

And, buy hats if your team wants to put the team level on something. Get something with color or white so that the kids are not in the parking lot dressed in black from head to toe.

And lastly, if they are bantams don't put their number on anything. If there's a questionable hit some opposing team parents can hunt down the kid/family after the game. Seriously.

wow--a little over the top?

That's why she's DMom and not a Hockey Dad