First angry parent as soccer commissioner

[Rock'n Robin]

I am the commissioner of the Kindergarten boys division of our local soccer association. The deadline for fall signups was Aug. 2. It went home with all schoolkids at the end of the school year and it was mentioned in the local paper several times over the summer. I have 6 teams of 12 boys, the maximum--I filled the last spot on Monday. Yesterday I gave the coaches their rosters, equipment, schedules, etc.
Today a mom called asking if there was a spot for her son. She left a message. I left a message back, sorry, no room. The dad just called. He said his boy is a good soccer player, they were on vacation on Aug. 2 (and the whole rest of the summer?), he just decided he wanted to play last night, etc. When I explained the rules, not just ours but the ohio rules we follow, limit the teams to 12 kids, he said "aren't you going to start another team?" Come on, should I beat the bushes for 11 more kids because you don't read the paper? And then redo all of the schedules? (I didn't say that, obviously, I was more diplomatic than I usually am in fact). He said "oh it's a shame, he's sure going to be disappointed." I said I was sorry and he should watch for spring signups during the winter.
There was nothing I could do even if I wanted to, which I don't. I always read the paper cover to cover because in this town it is the #1 source of information. Soccer is huge here and the articles about registration are not hidden by any means.
Anyway, thanks for the vent. DH isn't home and I don't want to bother the head commissioner with this.
Robin M.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Sounds like you handled the situation well.

 

[CEDmom]

You did the right thing. Hopefully those parents will learn not to make promises they can't keep.

 

[Lorix2]

well it's too bad you had to refuse them, but they didn't sound angry to me, just dissappointed. Unfortunately it's their son who missed out on the opportunity to play - but this is why there are deadlines for such things.

 

[TammiMcMan]

DH and I are both involved in our towns youth soccer program. We have the same problem year after year. Parents don't like to think about fall sports sign-up in June, but on the administrative end, we need to get equipment ordered and games scheduled. Our league usually carries about 800 kids for each season, ranging from age 6 up to 19. Sometimes we can accommodate the late sign-ups, but not always. We've gone so far as to keep the teams smaller and thereby leaving more room on the roster, but then you always have those that decide not to play and that can leave a team short handed. It's so hard to say no to a child, but you just have to do the best you can. We also recommend that they check out our website or keep an eye on the local newspaper for the spring.

 

[nkjzmom]

We've been playing in our league for the last 4 years and have been involved in coaching, coordinating the different age groups, and now DH is the registrar this year (and coaching 2 DD's teams). This is a common problem and unfortunately not all the parents are so understanding.

We actually had parents just take their daughter to a practice and give their paperwork to the coach....she was even in the wrong age group. DH just had to tell them no and they've been quite offended. It's happened a few times...then there are the parents that mix up kids bdays and we had a 6 year old on his brothers 12 year old team....funny but frustrating.