Hand me down or new jerseys?

[Judgeandjury]

I was at a squirt game the other day. One association had nice jerseys with the kids number choice and last name on the jersey. Our association goes the hand me down route. The only problem with this is the fact that one team has three really small kids on the team and their jerseys go down past their knee's.

I thought how nice it would be for the kids to have personalized jerseys for hockey. They could choose their number, receive the right size and have their last name on the jersey.

Why do some associations choose to hand down jerseys each year?

[DMom]

The second biggest expense, after ice time, for an association is the cost for jerseys. In our association we have tried it every way over the last ten years. We have evolved, to jersey rental, or no new jerseys. Most kids today have piles of jerseys from winter teams, camps, summer teams, elite teams, all star teams, etc, etc, and the families don't really want to keep the jerseys. Certainly, the jerseys are made to last more than one season. As far as the names on the back, I recall a very famous hockey coach saying it's the name on the front that means the most.

Instead of charging families 125$ a year for game jerseys, you can try having the parents put up for practice jerseys, at 15$ a pop and the coach can put something inspirational on the jerseys, or a sponsor can.

[livingthelife]

I was at a squirt game the other day. One association had nice jerseys with the kids number choice and last name on the jersey. Our association goes the hand me down route. The only problem with this is the fact that one team has three really small kids on the team and their jerseys go down past their knee's.

I thought how nice it would be for the kids to have personalized jerseys for hockey. They could choose their number, receive the right size and have their last name on the jersey.

Why do some associations choose to hand down jerseys each year?

DMom hit the nail on the head. I know in our association we have a high quality nice jersey that is used anywhere from 4-6 years. The kids like the fact that it is 'cool' jersey and a big step up from the usual cheap jerseys that they had as mites. It is a little drawback to not have names on the back but the trade off is worth it. Most families have a bunch of jerseys hanging around so the kids don't really need to get another one to keep anyway. We pay around $120 a set so with 4-6 years use they end up costing us $20-30 average per year for a set of two top of the line jerseys.

The most important thing you can do for association teams with their money is get time on the ice (inside or outside). Saving some money on jerseys to try to keep hockey more affordable makes a lot of sense.

[Judgeandjury]

The second biggest expense, after ice time, for an association is the cost for jerseys. In our association we have tried it every way over the last ten years. We have evolved, to jersey rental, or no new jerseys. Most kids today have piles of jerseys from winter teams, camps, summer teams, elite teams, all star teams, etc, etc, and the families don't really want to keep the jerseys. Certainly, the jerseys are made to last more than one season. As far as the names on the back, I recall a very famous hockey coach saying it's the name on the front that means the most.

Instead of charging families 125$ a year for game jerseys, you can try having the parents put up for practice jerseys, at 15$ a pop and the coach can put something inspirational on the jerseys, or a sponsor can.

I agree the names on the front are more important than the back. With that said I'd also like to know who I'm watching when I'm attending other games. Since the kids wear helmets it's hard to see who's who.

If the association charges $125 for two jerseys with last names and personalized player numbers what extra cost is involved for the association?
The game I attended three squirts were drowning in their jerseys because they had no say in what size they received the smallest size was still too big.
I was just curious why associations don't let kids pick their own jersey size and make it fun for the kids to pick their own numbers and place the names on the back. Someone mentioned on this site one time this is all for making it fun for the kids. I agree!

[goinbardown]

What happens if you have to kids that want number 16? Who gets to decide which family gets the spend $120 for a different number.

In our association each team gets a set of jerseys, the coach hands them out at the beginning and collects them at the end and then the association hold onto them over the summer.

[Judgeandjury]

What happens if you have to kids that want number 16? Who gets to decide which family gets the spend $120 for a different number.

In our association each team gets a set of jerseys, the coach hands them out at the beginning and collects them at the end and then the association hold onto them over the summer.

Simple!

You charge the parents $125 for two jerseys
Let the players pick jerseys that fit
You have the players pick three favorite number choices
Put the last name on the jerseys

If you let the kids pick from numbers 1-99 I doubt the kids will have any trouble getting their numbers. I'm sure some kids want to be 87 then you just pick from a hat. Give the other players their second or third choice. As long as they get one of the three numbers they requested then no worries.

Make it fun for the kids.

[Marty McSorely]

I think the Irish pick numbers by age group and are responsible for purchasing jersey's as the kids grow.

I think in Rochester they buy new home jersey's every year and the away look generic.

I agree about the number of jerseys. I have a collection of over 100 from three different kids playing.

[DMom]

I think that's possible if you have a full-time employee handling the jerseys. You are asking that a volunteer collects that information from 30-50 teams, turn around time for jerseys is six weeks. If you get that information after the tryouts and teams are formed, you'd have a tough time getting your jerseys before the first tournaments and league play, (not to mention the scrimmages that often start immediately after tryouts). If you pre-order the jerseys and just get them ready for silk screening or embroidery, you still are hitting the embroidery stores busiest time. At that point, you are biting into their team apparel time window before Christmas. All I can say, is been there done that. We've tried to do it every way and the most efficient and the least amount of complaints comes when we pre-order the jerseys over the summer. You have the option of putting a name placard and sponsor placard on the jerseys and removing them before turning them in. We have a number of teams that spent the 10$ and had last names put on the jerseys, you just can't silk screen it. Our parents picked more ice time instead of keeping their jerseys, with two new sheets of ice, we still have people complaining that there isn't enough ice time. I challenge them to raise the money to put in a refrigerated outdoor sheet, or a sheet in a bubble. Raise the money for more ice and no one will have to complain about a lack of ice.

For $125 per set of jerseys you can buy a squirt team 10 hours of solo practice ice or 20 hours of shared ice. That's significant. If you can't get it at your local association's ice, find it somewhere else and pay it out of the team's checkbook.

As far as the sizes, it's possible to order single jerseys and there are always a few that are too stained or too cut up to use again. A small order is put in and I am sure parents certainly could opt to buy new jerseys. i don't believe anyone would tell them no. Good luck getting consesus on the team. Our association used to supply only one jersey to C teams, which they kept. One year a lot of them went out and bought the other color jerseys and now everyone gets the same jerseys, two sets apiece. Except for mites, who still keep their jerseys. The mite jerseys are basically a practice jersey and they are much cheaper.

[Starbuckmom]

I know that some associations have sponsors for each team and that the cost of their sponsorship (around $500 - $800) basically covers the cost of the game jerseys and socks, their name goes on the bottom of the jerseys. That takes care of the costs but not the issue with the numbers and sizing. Basically they are given a set of jerseys pre-numbered and pre-sized and you have to line the kids up and give them out according to their size - which means that you may still have a couple of jerseys that are at knee length! I agree that with time constraints and with the number of players that there probably is not a great way to do this.
Has any association asked for jersey sizing on the players registration sheet? I know that usually the sign up for hockey is late summer / early fall and if they had the jersey sizes in advance they may be able to at least have a properly sized jersey?
For those that don't have names on the back you could do a small cheat sheet that has the players #'s and then names on it so that when watching you can at least figure out who is who!

[WayOutWest]

As far as the sizes, it's possible to order single jerseys and there are always a few that are too stained or too cut up to use again. A small order is put in and I am sure parents certainly could opt to buy new jerseys. i don't believe anyone would tell them no. Good luck getting consesus on the team.

Is this not the perfect solution? Make it possible for any parent to purchase jerseys if they wish, at their own cost? Knock yourself out, if you wish. I would think this might be good business for the manufacturers. In fact, I would think they could sell a number of them to FANS.

Also, the original complaint was about not having one that fits. That just seems to be an issue with team ordering practices. The teams should be ordering a few sets that are smaller than the norm, to cover such kids. That cannot be a new issue.

[livingthelife]

Is this not the perfect solution? Make it possible for any parent to purchase jerseys if they wish, at their own cost? Knock yourself out, if you wish. I would think this might be good business for the manufacturers. In fact, I would think they could sell a number of them to FANS.

Also, the original complaint was about not having one that fits. That just seems to be an issue with team ordering practices. The teams should be ordering a few sets that are smaller than the norm, to cover such kids. That cannot be a new issue.

In our association we purchased a few smaller sizes in some different numbers from the full sets so we could accomodate those players. The problem comes when people want a specific number in their size. In pre-purchased or stored sets the smaller size jersey may not be the number that the kid wants. He wants #4 but it is a larger jersey so it fits terrible.

Your solution of letting parents order a set is fine but it takes time to get them made and some manufacturers want only larger orders to give the discounted price. It shouldn't be that big of a deal and it is probably better to just have the kids work within the jersey set they are given by their association. When you get on your AAA team in the summer you can spend all the money you want to get your jerseys.

[Judgeandjury]

Is this not the perfect solution? Make it possible for any parent to purchase jerseys if they wish, at their own cost? Knock yourself out, if you wish. I would think this might be good business for the manufacturers. In fact, I would think they could sell a number of them to FANS.

Also, the original complaint was about not having one that fits. That just seems to be an issue with team ordering practices. The teams should be ordering a few sets that are smaller than the norm, to cover such kids. That cannot be a new issue.

In our association we purchased a few smaller sizes in some different numbers from the full sets so we could accomodate those players. The problem comes when people want a specific number in their size. In pre-purchased or stored sets the smaller size jersey may not be the number that the kid wants. He wants #4 but it is a larger jersey so it fits terrible.

Your solution of letting parents order a set is fine but it takes time to get them made and some manufacturers want only larger orders to give the discounted price. It shouldn't be that big of a deal and it is probably better to just have the kids work within the jersey set they are given by their association. When you get on your AAA team in the summer you can spend all the money you want to get your jerseys.

I'd hate to see the kids have fun wearing jerseys that fit.

I'd hate to see the kids having fun picking out their own number.

I'd hate to see last names on jerseys. It's much more fun asking strangers who number ?? is?

I hate watching younger brother and sisters wearing their brothers jerseys at their hockey games in support of their brother, team and community. After all collecting sports memorbilia over the years wouldn't mean anything down the road.

[WayOutWest]

In our association we purchased a few smaller sizes in some different numbers from the full sets so we could accomodate those players. The problem comes when people want a specific number in their size. In pre-purchased or stored sets the smaller size jersey may not be the number that the kid wants. He wants #4 but it is a larger jersey so it fits terrible.

Your solution of letting parents order a set is fine but it takes time to get them made and some manufacturers want only larger orders to give the discounted price. It shouldn't be that big of a deal and it is probably better to just have the kids work within the jersey set they are given by their association. When you get on your AAA team in the summer you can spend all the money you want to get your jerseys.

Any kid can start with the "default" jersey, and swap it out for his own when it is ready.
And paying an upcharge for the one-off orders is the choice of the parent. It's the cost of doing business, as such. Let them make the decision on whether or not they want to pay it.
If family ordered jerseys are identical to the provided ones, .......i.e. same logo, same colors, same style, same fabric,.... but a more suitable size and a preferred number, I fail to see the problem. You have a consumer wishing to part with some cash. Let them!! In fact, such a policy would only extend the life of the default jerseys, because some kids wouldn't be using them. Your team will look sharper, your kids will be happier, and the association saves some money.
Where is the negative?

[DMom]

In our association we purchased a few smaller sizes in some different numbers from the full sets so we could accomodate those players. The problem comes when people want a specific number in their size. In pre-purchased or stored sets the smaller size jersey may not be the number that the kid wants. He wants #4 but it is a larger jersey so it fits terrible.

Your solution of letting parents order a set is fine but it takes time to get them made and some manufacturers want only larger orders to give the discounted price. It shouldn't be that big of a deal and it is probably better to just have the kids work within the jersey set they are given by their association. When you get on your AAA team in the summer you can spend all the money you want to get your jerseys.

Any kid can start with the "default" jersey, and swap it out for his own when it is ready.
And paying an upcharge for the one-off orders is the choice of the parent. It's the cost of doing business, as such. Let them make the decision on whether or not they want to pay it.
If family ordered jerseys are identical to the provided ones, .......i.e. same logo, same colors, same style, same fabric,.... but a more suitable size and a preferred number, I fail to see the problem. You have a consumer wishing to part with some cash. Let them!! In fact, such a policy would only extend the life of the default jerseys, because some kids wouldn't be using them. Your team will look sharper, your kids will be happier, and the association saves some money.
Where is the negative?

WOW, we have had more than one parent order their personal jerseys. Yes, they play with the one given until the new one comes in.

Judge, you can do all of the things you want, just don't expect another volunteer to do it for you. You, as a team parent can collect all of the jerseys and sew on the placards, we've had a team parent volunteer do it the last two years. You can have the names on the back. At the end of the year you just take a seam ripper and take it off, no harm done.

[DMom]

As far as the name on the back, when your kid is playing peewee and above, there are times you don't want them advertising their name. Some of the bigger hits, even clean ones, aren't always appreciated by the opposing family.

[hockeygirl2]

Dmom

you make a good point with the cost of the jerseys and the amount of ice time that buys the team if it was used for ice time and not the purchase of jerseys. I have no idea why Judge and jury is all for this since judge is such a big proponent of development and ice time over the fun for the children. More ice time over fun jerseys would seem to be what Judge wants. First, who really cares if the children can pick their own numbers. My children have never complained even though they have favorite numbers. Second, it puts a financial strain on those families that can barely afford it now, or those families that have multiple kids playing the sport. I know the simple answer is don't buy them then, but it isn't that simple. What happens when 75% of the team orders their own jerseys with their own numbers and then put their names on the back and the other 25% don't. They are now the odd ones out. If you are worried about knowing who the children are, then ask your association to print a roster. It would be simple and inexpensive. The names on the back of the jerseys would not be for friends and family members since they know who everyone is. It would be for the outsiders anyway. Clearly the people who are proponents of the jerseys have never had to deal with all of the problems that comes from ordering jerseys for 30 plus teams. then you get into the problem of when two or three kids ask for the same number. I do agree with the sizing issue, but that is an association problem that should be addressed.

[livingthelife]

I'd hate to see the kids have fun wearing jerseys that fit.

I'd hate to see the kids having fun picking out their own number.

I'd hate to see last names on jerseys. It's much more fun asking strangers who number ?? is?

You seem to have a 'size' issue. If your kid is little and the jerseys don't fit, talk to the equipment person for the association and see if anything can be done. Most associations have some method of dealing with trying to get the proper size. If it is that he wants a specific number and that isn't available in his size, talk to your kid and give him reasons to like the numbers that do fit. I know that kids like their own number but you have to consider all the members not just a few. Personally, I have no problem with your idea of letting individual players order a special jersey and number but my guess is the team, association and other parents will have a problem with it. If you've got the money, I could care less but I know that most associations have a problem with some kids being able to afford things that others can not because of the peer pressure it puts on the ones who can not afford it.

The BEST thing you can do is to quit complaining and join your local board. That way you can have a say in all these things and, because it is so important to you, I would suggest you volunteer to be the equipment coordinator. That way you can be in charge of ordering jerseys for the entire association and do it the way you'd like it done.

[Judgeandjury]

I'd hate to see the kids have fun wearing jerseys that fit.

I'd hate to see the kids having fun picking out their own number.

I'd hate to see last names on jerseys. It's much more fun asking strangers who number ?? is?

You seem to have a 'size' issue. If your kid is little and the jerseys don't fit, talk to the equipment person for the association and see if anything can be done. Most associations have some method of dealing with trying to get the proper size. If it is that he wants a specific number and that isn't available in his size, talk to your kid and give him reasons to like the numbers that do fit. I know that kids like their own number but you have to consider all the members not just a few. Personally, I have no problem with your idea of letting individual players order a special jersey and number but my guess is the team, association and other parents will have a problem with it. If you've got the money, I could care less but I know that most associations have a problem with some kids being able to afford things that others can not because of the peer pressure it puts on the ones who can not afford it.

The BEST thing you can do is to quit complaining and join your local board. That way you can have a say in all these things and, because it is so important to you, I would suggest you volunteer to be the equipment coordinator. That way you can be in charge of ordering jerseys for the entire association and do it the way you'd like it done.

Who's complaining? I just asked the question why some associations have personalized jerseys and some don't. I'd like to see our association do it. We have some smaller kids on our team embarrassed to put on their over sized jerseys because they're drowning in them.
If I had a choice I'd make it fun for the kids like it should be. Give them their numbers, size and last names on the jerseys. As in every association there's a hand full of people making these decisions.

[spin-o-rama]

Who's complaining?

You are.
Both ways of doing the jerseys can still "be about the kids." I watched EP and Roseau in the Bantam A state tourney last year. EP was decked out in the finest of team attire right down to the coach's gear. Roseau had old jerseys and Butsy wore jeans and an old ball cap. I think both programs are "about the kids."
As for jersey sizing - one summer for baseball a kid on my team had to have his certain number and that jersey was the smallest size. He squeezed into it anyway. It looked like it was painted on.

[Tenoverpar]

Okay here's a real scenario.

2 kids playing hockey, one has names on their jerseys and everybody knows every kid and who the parents are, because its easy..you see the number and NAME recognition.

Kid 2 has no names and the old "Herbie approach". Halfway into the season, parents are still asking (even with the cards), who's #22? Yes, we all know #9 because his mom yells his "shoot tommy" everytime he touches the puck.

THe name on the front is more important than the name on the back is a great slogan, but blow it out your butt already and put names on the jerseys or consider purchasing a 3rd jersey approved by the association, put names on them, and where them for tournaments or some home games.

[WayOutWest]

The BEST thing you can do is to quit complaining and join your local board. That way you can have a say in all these things and, because it is so important to you, I would suggest you volunteer to be the equipment coordinator. That way you can be in charge of ordering jerseys for the entire association and do it the way you'd like it done.

This is a bit disingenuous.
The point of the thread is really about giving some control to the individual (the family) to allow them a vehicle to obtain a jersey that fits their kid, and perhaps their favorite number, rather than a default. There is nothing wrong with this idea. Sure, if one kid has their name on the back, they all should, and that should be regulated through the association. But if a family wants to spend the extra dollars to get a MATCHING jersey, that just happens to fit better and is better received by the player, there is no negative here, and this does not need to be handled through the association.