Beware the last-minute parent meetings, called in the locker room after some parents have already scurried off with their children. Especially if you’re married to an uber fan of the sport. And he’s already been enlisted as a coach. Because when the question is asked: Does anybody want to volunteer to be manager? Chances are, you will either volunteer or be volunteered.
It’s all good, really. Despite the fact that the only thing I know about hockey is how to enjoy watching it, I think I can manage team management. It’s a baptism by fire into the realm of youth hockey (perhaps by the end I will know how old a Bantam player is?).
My first set of responsibilities: help the coach collect all player/parent contact info; help the coach figure out when the guy selling branded gear is going to be around; help the coach organize distribution of team jerseys and socks; help the coach keep the website updated; help the coach with assorted other tasks. I never knew the coach had so many off-ice responsibilities…no wonder they need a manager! Plus, I’m pretty sure that party planning duties will be on the docket somewhere down the road. Woohoo!
So, other than my newly acquired status within the team, more big news is the newly purchased skates over the weekend. Our little hockey player was previously skating on what one might call “starter skates”. They remind me of my old roller blades, with a single latch thingy rather than laces. But the new skates, oh the new skates! Not only do they have laces, but they are GOLD and black! AND there was a grown up sized pair, so the request has already been made that Daddy receives a matching pair (I don’t think Daddy is ready to “upgrade”). Of course now there is an adjustment period as he gets used to the new blades – better quality is better skating but it’s harder for him to get up when he falls (and since he’s trying very hard NOT to lie on the ice for the duration…).
We’ve also started the indoctrination of our future gold medalist for women’s hockey. Of course she wants to do everything her older brother does, so now our almost-two-year-old has her very own brand new hockey stick. Which will come in handy when she becomes the team mascot, bringing us from 75% to 100% participation in the Mites team. From mascot to medal stand…. but no pressure of course!
