SportsEngine HQ Roadmap: Step 2 – Plan Your Season with SportsEngine HQ

by Kelsey Erwin-Formaneck

Content Contributor at SportsEngine HQ

December 17, 2024 | 2 minutes, 51 seconds read

Now that you’ve mapped out your program’s big picture in Phase One, it’s time to dive deeper into the details. Step 2 of the SportsEngine HQ Roadmap to Success focuses on planning your season's core elements: participants, divisions, costs, and registration timelines. These foundational details will set the stage for smooth operations and help you make the most of SportsEngine HQ’s tools.

Key Elements to Consider

1. Number of Participants

Do you expect your numbers to grow, stay the same, or decline this season? Set realistic goals for participation and ensure you’re prepared with inventory limits to cap registrations and create waitlists if needed.

Helpful Resources:
- Registration Basics >
- How to Create a Waitlist >

2. Levels of Play and Divisions

Determining your divisions and levels of play early on will influence your website setup, team creation, registration fees, and coaching assignments. Clear organization now will make things far smoother as your season progresses.

Helpful Resource: League Basics >
Pro Tip: Dedicate individual pages on your website to each division or level of play. This helps families quickly find key details like schedules, fees, and age or skill-based information.

Need help creating divisions and organizing teams? Check out this Training Camp Video: League Basics to learn how to structure your programs seamlessly.

3. Participation Cost

One of the most common questions from parents and guardians: “How much does it cost?” You know the hard work (and expenses) that go into getting athletes on the field, so it’s essential to:

Account for your major cost drivers: Facilities, equipment, transportation, and staffing.
Balance costs with your organization’s size and offerings.
Communicate payment options: Set clear, flexible payment structures to make registration accessible for all families.

Up next, we’ll explore SportsEngine’s Registration tools to set up payment plans, early-bird discounts, and late fees with ease.

4. Registration Timeline

Registration is often your first impression for members—make it a great one! Plan key dates, like:

Registration open/close windows.
Tryout schedules and deadlines.
Important holidays or school schedules to avoid conflicts.

Tip: Launch registration early to incentivize prompt sign-ups with early-bird discounts, and keep a clear window for late fees if needed.

Ready to Get Started?

With a solid plan in place, you’re ready to take the next step: using SportsEngine HQ to bring your vision to life. From setting up your website and registration to managing divisions and teams, we’ll guide you through every detail.

For more hands-on help, check out these Training Camp Videos:

With these tools and strategies, you’re on track to create a seamless experience for your members and a season they won’t forget. Stay tuned for Step 3, where we’ll tackle building out your website and setting up your first tasks in SportsEngine HQ.