After going through COVID as a country, we have learned how important streamlining the registration and payment process has become for sports.
Safety and social distancing should begin well before your student athletes step onto the field.
This next high school sports season may still look a little different than years prior to 2020. Being flexible and maintaining safe, social distancing is still important. And, it begins with the registration process.
People everywhere have already moved to new forms of digital communication. They’re working from home, shopping from home, and even visiting the doctor. Why should registration be any exception? Here are a few easy places to start:
- Online registration: Taking paper out of the registration process one of the easiest ways to limit personal contact out of the registration process. Allowing students and parents to register and complete forms online is easier—and more accessible—than ever.
- Communication: Be prepared to over-communicate with parents and students as schedules change throughout the season. Additionally, plan to communicate through multiple mediums, such as email, text, and social media to ensure you are able to adapt to parents’ highly disrupted schedules.
- Touchless payments: Whether it’s registration fees, donations, or on-site concessions, eliminate the need for paper currency (checks and cash) as much as possible. The increased use of Amazon, food delivery, and grocery pickup services has more consumers used to using their debit and credit cards than ever before.
- Donations and flexible payment options: It’s no secret that many families are struggling. Provide adequate financial flexibility (payment types and terms) to ensure that the students most affected by the economic crisis are not left behind. And, be prepared to ask other families to help cover shortfalls—it’s going to take everyone working together this year.
This high school’s sports season may still look different, but it can still be safe and enjoyable. By starting now—during the registration process—we can prepare student athletes and their families for new processes that will keep everyone safe when the games begin.