Slap Shot Secrets

Tri-Valley Minor Hockey Association is a rapidly growing non-profit located in California’s beautiful San Francisco Bay Area. With almost 400 kids participating, Tri-Valley Minor Hockey was in dire need of a digital solution that would move paper and pen registration to the penalty box for good. Tri-Valley looked at the competition and chose Active for its association management tools and seamless integration with USA Hockey.

On the ice with Rich Wilcox, Registrar, Tri-Valley Minor Hockey Association

Q: How long has your organization been with Active Network?
A: We’re in the process of completing our third full season with Active.

Q: What registration process did you have in place before you came to Active?
A: Four years ago, we had 250 or so players and processed everything manually. We used paper registration, cashing checks by hand and handling cash. The worst part was we couldn’t accept credit cards. We spent a lot of time tracking down late payments every year. It got to a point where our treasurer threatened to quit if we didn’t put everything online.

We shopped around and looked at various companies and we chose Active because they offered full integration with USA Hockey.

Q: How do you promote online registration to families and players?
A: We supply packets to all of our prospects during try outs and include all of the information they’ll need to register online. It’s easy.

Q: How does Active help you manage your various teams?
A: Active’s software has an excellent notification tool. When a new player signs up and makes a payment, it notifies us so we can supply the player with the necessary documents. We save money by not sending out these packets to everyone. Once a family pays, we know they are serious about taking part, so we can move the process ahead. We’re more organized, we get payment upfront, and our printing costs are lower. It’s a real win-win.

Q: What role does Active’s USA Hockey integration play?
A: The USA Hockey integration is Active’s single best feature. In the old days, you had to collect USA Hockey membership information manually and it was very time consuming. Active’s USA Hockey membership verification makes my job so much easier.

Q: Describe your experience with Active’s set-up process.
A: The best part was the remote training where an Active representative took control of my computer and showed me the entire software. All of the menus, all of the features were explained right in front of me. It was great. We feel that we got our money’s worth.

Q: How much time do you save each year by not handling checks?
A: We save at least 75% of our registration time by taking payments online. The amount of time we save by simply being able to accept credit cards is huge.

Q: How has Active affected your bottom line?
A: Prior to 2008, we would have as many as 25 delinquent accounts. This past season with Active, we had maybe 1. People are paying up front now and it has made a real difference.

"The USA Hockey integration is Active’s single best feature. In the old days, you had to collect USA Hockey membership information manually and it was very time consuming. Active’s USA Hockey integration makes my job so much easier."

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