League Commsioner Advice

[ajahaana]

Maintain Your Standard Maintain It! We Have The Same Problem Out Here In The L.a League (1) Mission (2) Dues (3) Recruit (4) Exposure(the Garage Look Is Cool,but Think About A Mall,rec-crt,sports Bar. The Comishes Job Is To Maintain! Elect A Venue Official,next A Sergent At Arms To Deal With The **************s!!!1 Create A Fundraiser! Media Out Here In L.a We Went 2 Ktla Channel 5(our Program Was Called Arm Chair Qb (hosted By Gail Anderson) The Slackers R Slugs And U Know What They Due To The Crop!!! This Fall Eric And Dave R Hosten A Tourney With Support From Many,also It Will Be Extermination Day For The Slugs Of L.a!!!electric Football Is 4 The Enthused A The Motvated!(like The Marines! The Few And The Proud!!!! This Is'nt For Everybody!!!! Like A Frat!!! A Chosen Few!(example: We Have People Inquiring About Leagues Here In L.a County,but The Don't Show Up For Open Run To See Whats Going On!(mr Pasadena) Again We Have Coaches From Vegas And San Diego(reason For Fun Raisers,travel Expenses, The Individuals Up In Frisco They Tryin To Get Established But Have They Ventured To See The Established League? No! But Then Ask Yourself R U Being At Your Best? If The League Is Not 100% Would U Get Involved?(feel Free To Call For Some Knowledge(310-405-3948 Ajah Laefl(vikes)

[artlax]

I just completed my first year in the league that JWoopie is the commish of. First of all they are all great guys and I love just being around them and their passion for the game. They have made my re-entry into the game a great experience after many years away.

[Shabby J]

Speaking as an outsider and my first experience with an established group of friends and experienced coaches, here is my take.

Your league has to create an environment to educate, fellowship and show a willingness to mentor new comers. This is how you keep interest. I played solitaire for years and an occasional game with a friend or two when I could. I then met, Eric, Dave, Ajahaana, Rick and Shawn at the Open Run, the morning of the first one I was contemplating not going, as I knew the skill level the guys were at and I knew jack about there rule set, so right off the bat I was intimidated and just thought I would spend all day watching others play, boy was I wrong.

I decided to go and had a real eye opening day. Sure I was stunned at the coaching skills and had no idea how much fun the Shootout based rules were. Most importantly I was taken aback at how they were all willing to teach me the rules and help me take my tweaking to another level as well.

The environment they created made me want to come back and I have been going ever since.

Now on the flip side of that I played Subbuteo table soccer for years and when I got in with a small Los Angeles club. They did very little of this. They were good guys and I liked spending time with them, but when you showed up as a beginner on game day you would get your arse handed to you, match after match, losing 8-0, 10-0, 11-0, etc...this is a very realistic soccer sim, where games most often end with a combined goal total of between 1 and 4, this is with two experienced players, so you know how bad a flogging it was to lose by such big margins.

They would get new guys via the Internet, they would come out get their arse handed to them and you would never see them again after that initial day. Thus the club slowly dwindled down to about three active members and then I think was defunct for a while.

Had they created a learning environment as I mentioned being a part of at the Open Runs they would have been far more successful in recruiting and keeping members. They are active again and have established newcomer rules, this I believe has been the key in them being able to recruit and retain members as they are now doing.

The "talking scrimmages" against a better coach are the way to go, you can get the rules down, ask questions, experiment, etc...I am thankful these guys have helped me enjoy MF more than I ever have before.