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huh
06-15-2005 2:01 am
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"Program Manager"
When did you ever hear of a National sports team having a Program Manager??
What the heck is up with that?
Who is the Executive Assistant and where is the Marketing Manager?
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Supporter
06-15-2005 9:02 am
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huh, duh
Some people never miss a chance to bash .....
Only 2 comments and it starts already....
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agree
06-15-2005 10:07 pm
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A program manager is probably the same as a high performance manager, a vital person in the Hockey Australia national program!
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Indy Sehmbi
06-16-2005 2:24 am
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Just curious as to what type of marketing went on for this event???
With the various club championships ending and regional events.. I have seen very little advertising for this event. The reason I know of this event is because I am aware of what goes on with the National Team Programs. But for the average member of the hockey coomunity. The u12/u14/u16 club player.. how were they made aware of this event???
First game and only about 200 fans. Mainly National team players etc.. the usual crowd. Maybe the clubs dropped the ball.. in terms of letting their players know about the event. Somewhere along the line someone didn't get the message across.
19 years I have attended International Hockey events in Vancouver. It is the first time that we have had a team in the Top 3.. mens or womens come to Canada to play us at home that I can remember. Former Olympic and World Cup Champions in the past 8 years... and there is little or no advertisement. Not one news article, not a lil snippet on tv... and not even an email out to clubs... or even a few signs... or even some pamphlets at the provincial championships for parents and players to get some info on the event.
I am on almost every email list known to man involving hockey in BC and I didn't even get an email about the event.
We can do a much better job of marketing this event in our community.
We could have clubs host each day of the matches, on the day of the match the host club supplies ball girls.. maybe a 50/50.. a beer garden.. food or somethin. Each club could add their own flavour to the event. Get their youth teams out to the events.. supply rides for their kids.. maybe a post game meet and great with the players and the youth players coming to the matches. Something to create a bit of atmosphere and something that will get more people to these matches and publicity about these types of series.
Just a few concerns and comments
Indy
PS: oh.. 1-0 to Australia tonight if you all were wondering.
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Looker-On
06-16-2005 9:42 am
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Marketing & Publicity
Nice to see some intelligent comments from Indy backed by useful suggestions. Something must be done to stir up more enthusiasm and interest in the game at the national level or it will surely wither at all levels. These may be exhibition games but as has been pointed out, this is a stiff level of competition worthy of more fanfare.
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Hockey Nut
06-16-2005 11:24 am
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correction to top 3
We did have Pakistan in 1996 who were defending World Cup Champions at the time. Good comments though and maybe Indy should volunteer for the new FHBC marketing committee.
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Yan Huckendubler
06-16-2005 11:59 am
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Good comment from Indy
Indy is right. Before hoping to interest the media (or even sponsors), we need to attract the field hockey community at large.
It is more fun for the players to play in front of a crowd (specially a ?home crowd?) and there are obvious benefits for everybody, young or not, to see top international teams in action.
The idea of having a club ?host? one game is great. It avoids that the same small group is in charge of all the games, and there could be a financial incentive for the club if they get a share of the profit of the various activities (drinks, food, 50/50, etc?).
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interested
06-16-2005 12:09 pm
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perhaps beth could have been the marketing manager as well as the program manager...
and why don't we get to hear who the officials during the matches are... don't umpires, tds and to's count, it is a great experience for these folks as well...
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huh
06-16-2005 12:27 pm
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Marketing Manager
Perhaps FHC does need a marketing manager...
Evidentally, neither the Program Manager nor the High Performance Director did enough planning to properly promote the event to players, clubs, the media.
Field Hockey BC did have advertisements about the games in the flyers for the provincial championships.
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West Coaster
06-16-2005 12:52 pm
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We in Vancouver always talk about how we are the mecca of hockey in Canada and that everyone should look to us and what we do to get things done right when it comes to hockey. I know this becasue I have read comments on other threads, saying how great we are. However look at the past 2 months or so we have had 6 or 7 international games with the Scotland men and now the Aussie womens team and the marketing has been awful like Indy said. The men's games were in the afternoon on weekdays, one on the Sunday, who can come watch those games? Let's get it together, FHC or BC hockey. This is a great opportunity.
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Alan
06-16-2005 1:48 pm
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re: huh/interested
Wow, you sure like to complain. Even when the "program manager" is explained (SHU & USFHA have one - although they are staff, not volunteers) you just move on and bash elsewhere. I'm sure you'll soon start whining about parking at Wright Field and why FHC hasn't fixed that!
Go Canada Go!
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gbraun
06-16-2005 3:01 pm
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Marketing
We get more than 200 people out to some of our high-school games (tournament stuff) here in Cowichan. Why? Because we always let all the local papers and local tv (even Victoria) know that it's on. We contact all the middle and elementary school coaches to let them know and our club is involved as well. If you even encourage 10 more people to show up, they probably will bring a couple of more with them and the numbers will start to grow. I suggest a few more phone calls just like Indy said....doesn't need to be a paid position just part of the organizing of any event. Sorry we couldn't come over from the Island....hard to come mid-week...and the ferries...ugh!! How about some Int. matches over on the Island when our turfs are done at the end of July?? I could almost guarantee 250+ at a match here in Cowichan with some coverage!!
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gbraun
06-16-2005 3:04 pm
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one more thing....
Forgot to say how pumped we are here to see Megan Anderson getting some time with the Seniors!!! Well done Megs we are rooting for you and hope to see you playing at the Sportsplex in the white and red very soon!!:)
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Indy Sehmbi
06-16-2005 4:44 pm
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I think some healthy discussion is really needed to make these events and our psort more marketable. I am not in business.. I know very little about marketing all together.
I know field hockey (most would even debate that) and I know our community. How can expect others outside the community to be interested in the event when we can't get those who play hockey and who involved in the community.. the regular club players out to support and watch these matches.
There is no reason for we shouldn't have close to a 500 people out to atleast the 2 weekend matches. How many clubs are there in Vancouver??? How many girls and boys teams play in u12/u14 tourneys??? I'd say close 30 all totalled, no reason you can't find a way to have the crowds filled with youngsters.
For the older players at the clubs... we are such a small community and so close. There is no reason for us not to come out and support one another. The everyday club player in BC will forever have some link to the High Performance or National teams because we all know 1-2 players one those teams. They come from our clubs. Its not as if they play away in foreign leagues and we don't see them performing (well.. for the most part). We've either grown up with these players or played with them at some point.
I'm not trying to give people heck for not showing up... I just think there are ways we can make these events attractive for the community to come out. When we start getting 1000 people to events... then others will take notice. Its hard for a News Paper or News casts to not cover an event involving amateur sport when you have 1000+ plus at the event. But when you get 200 people in the crowd.. I'd cover a little league baseball game.
Second Point:
Hockey is a game of passion.. you have to play with some passion and guts to succeed. But I saw little or no interest from the crowd at the match last night. We got 200 people who came out and watched.. and everyone got a nice tan and enjoyed the evening. I heard very little cheering (debatable if there was much to cheer about), I didn't hear one person let the umpire have it for a bad call and no one got on the Aussies for some agricultural tackles.. Its like the crowd was affraid to hurt the Australians or anyones feelings. We go away and fans and other countries make it tough for us to play there. Go to South America and the crowd hates us and makes it tough on us. But when you come to Canada.. its like this warm nice place and they don't have to deal with anything from the crowd. Atleast the chant of "Go Canada Go" could maybe ignite a spark for our girls.. but instead we sit on your hands and wait for the expected result to play out.
Bring your flags out to rest of the games and support your team
END OF RANT
Indy
PS: You are right about Pakistan.. I thought they came after Atlanta when they played poorly and dropped in ranking. But at the time they were defending World Cup Champs
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Viper
06-16-2005 6:55 pm
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Marketing - Indy
Even the FHBC website didn't have anything on it about this series until about 10 days prior to it starting. They were a little bit more on the ball with the Men's series.
You're right, the idea of clubs "hosting" games is great. Market to the FH community and create a buzz. gbraun has some great ideas for others to follow as well. Live and learn.
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australia
06-17-2005 3:59 am
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word on the street is that the aussies are missing 9 of their regular 11 starters.... so essentially this is the austrailan "b" team? still 1-0 is a good result.
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SpaceMan Spiff
06-17-2005 7:00 am
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Indy S
Rant on brother....
In fact do it through a bullhorn directed at The Aus bench in the next game
If I was in Vancouver I would be taking up Indy's challenge
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ztar
06-17-2005 1:06 pm
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re Viper & FHBC website
This thread is perhaps not the forum for discussion of the FHBC website, but I just needed a little prompting... don't get me started.
It is a truism of website managment that, if you want people to keep coming back to a website, you have to give them a reason to do so. That generally means current information (not material worthy of the archives).
Consider FHBC: there are several links to "tournament results - u-14, u-16, etc". Try those links. What you'll get is the registration form for that particular tournament. Why would I come back to the FHBC website if I can't get current information there. I want results, AFTER the tournament has been played, NOT registration forms!
These Canada versus Australia matches are clearly of interest to the FHBC constituency: why is there not more information available.
Indy is right on this account.
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Can Fan
06-17-2005 7:55 pm
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FHC should give the National team a "Jumpstart"
You would think..
With a long absence , a new coach and new players you would expect a higher degree of promotion to regain the lost interest in this Senior Women's program. It is a shame that this will be a "blip" on the hockey radar.
A meet and greet with the players and new coaches ? Some interviews to be posted on the net with some downloadable clips from FHBC / FHC ? We have some media savvy people involved in hockey that can pull that off right in Vancouver.. do we not ? How about some photos posted on the FHC Site?
How often does Australia come to Canada? Is this another opportunity lost?
Goodluck ladies !
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UBCHC
06-17-2005 10:01 pm
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Indy
Indy I fully endorse all of your comments especially the heckling and abusing ones. Call me, lets get some rowdies together, and show these Aussies a few things about yelling stuff. And yes, thanks to all the next few posters who will say it's "not Canadian" or "not nice" or lacks "sportsmanship". The problem with us Canadians is we're all a bunch of pushovers who'd rather make friends then actually succeed or win at anything. HAAAYYYYOOOOOOO
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Indy Sehmbi
06-18-2005 3:13 am
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This is my last comment on this topic ... just because I don't want people to think I am bashing people or think I am some type of hockey god spouting off about stuff he has no clue about.... just a community member who loves his hockey.
I know the BCFHA have a tough job. With 15 provincial teams going on right now and numerous other projects, provincial championships etc. They have their hands full. I was in the office today... and the people in the office do a great job and are very busy.
I would think the FHC would be the ones to take a bit of a lead role. It is their team we are coming to watch. For a series of test matches why not ask a group of volunteers to help with marketing the event. Clubs reps... people in the community, people who have an interest and love hockey. Not the same old crowd... why not ask around.
FHC have a specific amount of their bugdet allocated for marketing etc... why not use it now?? Give the group some money and let them run with it for the events. 4-5 people with some ideas on how to get more people out. Get some decent brochures made to market the players from our community.. not some 1 page peice of recycled paper that people use to sit on so there butt doesn't get wet sitting on the hill. Get out to the different club championships and let kids know about the upcoming events. If you get clubs to host events they can get out to the provincial chmapionships being held in their area and do the volunteer work for you. Take it out of the hands of the BCFHA who are doing a ton of work. Plus when you go to people at the club level your going to the heart.. the roots of hockey in BC.. in Canada.
SpaceMan Spiff, I wasn't at last nights game.. I have visitors from out of town.. and I am coaching the BC u18 Mens team on saturday night.. so I cannot make that match. But Sunday night i'll be there... trying to lead by example hopefully.
The Hockey Being Played:
Canada... Please run a slant on your next defensive corner!!!
Aussies have some great athletes on their team. I am waiting for out athletes to just compete athletically with the Aussies.. running fast, harder.. putting the Aussies under more pressure. When your not as skilled as some of the top teams.. you don't have as much depth it is tough to compete. But if you are the fittest team in the world and work towards that goal.. it is one thing that another team cannot take away from you. If you can run faster, longer, harder.. if your stronger and fitter.. you will stay in many more contests. But now.. not only are we not as skilled as teams.. but we are not as fit as higher ranked teams. Hard to compete against that.
I am not saying this to be mean.. or not to bash the team, we have some good athletes on the team. It is just an observation. Are we as fit as the Koreans, Chinese, Aussies, Argies and Dutch??? If we are just as fit as them.. it doesn't help cause we need to be fitter then them to compete with them.
Thats my last comment on this thread.
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SR
06-19-2005 6:59 pm
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ztar
Please understand how things work before you complain...
There are FHBC run tournaments and FHBC organized tournaments (the club championships). For those that are run by various clubs, FHBC has to wait until the official results are sent into the office before they can post things onto the web.
If you had looked at all the High Performance tournaments, which are run by FHBC, you would have noticed the results and photos were posted the Monday after the tournament was completed.
If you have any further concerns or feedback about the FHBC site, you can send an email to the office staff.
Thanks...
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Whalley
06-20-2005 12:29 am
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Publicity
Indy has got some great discussion going here, around lack of Media coverage. Someone did get a little piece in the Vancouver Sun,before the first game and i saw scores of the first 2 games.......mind you they were buried .
Interesting that the other paper, the Province has had nothing....and it usually has a better Sports section.
It is very difficult when dealing with the major Papers,radio or T.V. They are so devoted to Professional sport. However, if you can get a reporter to do a story, then the chances of getting scores in, increases.
Better to focus on smaller community papers.
This requires somebody working on it all the time, not just when a touring side comes in.
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ztar
06-20-2005 9:44 pm
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SR
SR suggests: "Please understand how things work before you complain..."
On the issue of a website, I'm not sure I need to know the inner workings of an organization to know what does and doesn't work as far website management is concerned. I stand by my original comment -- if you want a website to be useful and to have people coming back to it (presumably because they find the site useful), then it needs to be constantly updated.
A website that is not current is often worse than no website at all. Thus, short-staffed or not, if FHBC is going to have a web presence, then there ought to be a webmaster or at least some person in charge of web management. This means actively gathering the information needed to keep the site current, regardless of who was responsible for the various tournaments. What does a phone call or an email cost?
I further stand by my point that, if the link says "Tournament Results", it ought not to link to the tournament application form. If the results aren't available, perhaps NO link is better than a "fake" link.
As to an email to the office staff -- you're right, I've been meaning to do so for some time. Of course, as many of us, involved in a volunteer capacity with this sport, I was loathe to criticize people very likely doing the best they can with limited resources. This particular thread brought out my frustration. Sorry if I've offended.
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Viper
06-23-2005 10:28 am
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SR - FHBC Website
So....did the U18 girls club championship occur?
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x26
