Enderby Storm's Rep Program Overview

ENDERBY MINOR FASTBALL

REP PROGRAM OVERVIEW

What is the commitment level?

Rep players generally are expected to attend at least 80% of practices and games (including tournaments and district play-downs) and to be available to play in provincial championships. Coaches are encouraged to track player attendance and rep coaches have significant discretion regarding individual playing time and selection of players with poor attendance records (regardless of try-out ranking). Coaches tend to understand players may not be able to attend every practice and may miss the occasional game or tournament, with reasonable notice and assuming it is an infrequent occurrence. Coaches tend to be in-tolerant of players regularly missing or showing up late (or unprepared) to practices or games. Expectations regarding attendance and what is reasonable notice for an absence should be discussed up front with the specific coach.

In the off-season:

This does depend on the coaches’ expectations but generally it is team practice, batting practice as needed, and 1 pitching/catching per week starting in October and running through to March.

During the season:

The expectation is that your softball team in the priority.
Games are dependent on if a league can be made. If that is the case, then there will be one game a week.
Practice will be one to two nights a week.
There are generally 4-6 tournaments a season.

How far do Rep teams travel?

Rep teams will play their league games all over the Okanagan. EMFA Executives will know more in the spring and will work closely with Rep Coaches.

Some tournaments are hosted on the Okanagan i.e. Kelowna. B-teams usually head to the Lower Mainland for a tournament, and sometimes even down to the US.
Tournaments will be determined by Coaching Staff. Some examples are:

U13B/U15B - Rep Open Ice Breaker in April hosted by Kelowna (D9)
U13B/U15B -April hosted by Richmond (D5)
U13B/U15B -April hosted by Cloverdale (D7)
U13B - May hosted by North Shore (D4)
U15B - May hosted by Port Coquitlam (D6)
U13B/U15B - Spring Sizzle in May hosted by Kelowna (D9)
U13B/U15B has district playdowns and Provincials.

What is the cost of Rep?

EMFA association registration fee of $200/player, plus team fees to be paid prior to start of off-season practice
Team fees will range from $750/player or up to $3000/player without fundraising. Included team expenses:

Tournament entry fees
Travel for non-parent Head/Assistant Coaches
Field rental
Pitching/catching clinics
Indoor gym rentals

The team budget can be paid for via parent/family contributions, fundraising, or a combination of both. Fundraising can include the following:

Hosting Meat Draws
BBQs
Bottle drives
Booze Wagons
Hosting Tournaments i.e. raffle baskets/bat/glove/etc.
Off season Rafflebox with other EMFA Rep Teams, cannot conflict with EMFA regular season 50/50 Raffle.
No solicitation of existing EMFA Sponsors allowed.

Most teams decide how they want to come up with the money as a group or pay individual costs.

Additional Expenses not covered by Team Budget

Individual 1:1 training
Hotels and family meals
Team meals
Jerseys (two sets with last name), practice shirts, ball bags/catchers’ bag/catchers gear, belts, cleats, socks.

On Field Roles (requires RCMP background check)

Head Coach - prepares practice schedules, games line ups
Assistant Coach - Chosen by Head Coach. Fills in as Head Coach as needed. Runs drills.
Second Assistant Coach - Chosen by Head Coach. Extra hands to carry out tasks asked by Head Coach/Assistant Coach, maintains first aid kit and tends to any hurt athlete. Should have basic knowledge of first aid and can handle stressful situations.

Off Field Roles (chosen by Head Coach as needed)

Team Manager - Ensures RAMP schedules are accurate, and parents/athletes update their availability (24-48 hrs in advance). Ensures field lining is assigned as needed. Schedules Photo Day aligned with other EMFA Rep teams. Must have good communication skills and can multitask.
Fundraising Coordinator - Sets up Fundraising activities, helps with preparing Team Sponsorship letter, facilitates for any hosting of tournaments. Works with Team Manager for Ramp scheduling. Works with Team Treasurer and EMFA Sponsorship Coordinator as needed.
Team Treasurer - Maintains all incoming and outgoing expenses. Must keep receipts/paperwork for all transactions, sends receipts to sponsors, works closely with Fundraising Coordinator in keeping accurate records, be well organized and prepared if an audit is requested. Electronic transactions preferred.
Tournament Coordinator - Works with Head Coach for Tournament selection and registers for tournaments. Works with Team Treasurer to pay for tournament or be reimbursed. Facilitates group hotel/camp bookings. Works with Team Manager to update RAMP as needed.
Social Media Coordinator - Posts games, shout outs to Sponsors, celebrates wins and birthdays. Player spotlights. Takes photos/videos as necessary.
Uniform/Swag Coordinator - Works with EMFA Uniform Coordinator as needed or requested by Coaching Staff. Approvals will need to go through EMFA Uniform Coordinator.
ALL Parents - Without a designated role above will assist in home team field lining. Training will be giving by EMFA President. Athletes will help carry bases/lining equipment as needed. Field lining will be assigned by Team Manager as needed.

What if my daughter also plays another sport and must miss softball games or practices?

Most coaches tend to be supportive (within reason) of players involved in multiple sports, provided it does not significantly reduce attendance at practices and games or negatively impact the team. However, this is something that needs to be discussed and worked out with the specific coach, preferably before the player accepts a position on a rep team. The amount of flexibility extended by the coach may depend upon the particular player and circumstances.

Rep players generally are expected to attend at least 80% of practices and games (including tournaments and district play-downs) and to be available to play in Provincial Championships.

Is playing time equal or fair at the rep level?

While a player can expect to be treated fairly in terms of playing time and position, fair is not the same as equal. While Rep is not about winning at all costs or just short-term success, there is greater focus on competition, team objectives and results.

Every player brings different relative capabilities and strengths to each situation, and playing position/time may be based on many factors, such as team needs, individual ability/performance, current situation, overall strategy, etc. Coaches who are aware of a player's preferences and capabilities typically look for opportunities to train and put players in those position(s) when appropriate. Players can use such opportunities to gain experience and earn additional playing time.

Coaches often use regular season games for development, with greater focus on winning during tournaments and as the season progresses. Stronger, more experienced and committed players typically see more playing time in set positions during tournaments, especially during District Playdowns and Provincial Championships.