Register 4 Sports

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by NEIL CORBETT
Abbotsford News - Saturday February 24, 2001

With the hopeful slogan “Register online, not in line,” and a new agreement with the MetroValley News Group, the new E-commerce company Register4Sports.com announces its launch this weekend.

Amateur sports associations across North America can now offer parents the opportunity to sign up their children for sports using a computer and a credit card, using the Maple Ridge-based company’s site.

In conceiving and developing the site, company president Ron Jacobson combined his knowledge of sports, marketing and parenting.

“I’ve got four kids aged four to 14, and right now we’ve got 20 scheduled things per week that my wife and I have to run off to.”

Given such schedules, parents find limited convenience when a local sports association announces its registration, with the usual line-up-at-the-mall-on-Saturday routine.

There are 75 million youth sports registrations per year in North America, Jacobson’s market research tells him. That’s a long line.

His company allows parents to sign up their children on a Web site, using the online forms specified by the local association, and their credit card.

The MetroValley News Group, parent company of the Abbotsford News, is rapidly expanding its online business, and has partnered with Register4Sports.com in offering this unique Web site.

“We’re pleased to be working with Register4Sports,” said MetroValley president Rick O’Connor, “and we think the partnership will add to the depth of our portals.”

Jacobson said the new service should save sports associations considerable volunteer time. The registrar for a hockey association should be able to easily create the necessary online forms, and there is a 1-800 number if they require assistance. Initially, Jacobson expects sports groups to offer both in-person and online registration, but sees a day when virtually all sign-ups will be done via computer.

That’s how Diana Koen sees it too. She is the owner of Ultimate Hockey, which offers spring leagues out of the Planet Ice facilities in Coquitlam, Maple Ridge and Delta, and at Canlan Ice Sports (formerly Eight Rinks) in
Burnaby.

Koen signs up approximately 70 teams per season. That’s about 20 more than most minor hockey associations, and it costs this sports entrepreneur about 60 per cent of her time — time spent talking to parents about registration
issues. She hopes that’s about to change.

“I think it is going to help tremendously, in any organization where you have a lot of people registering,” she said. “This makes so much more sense.”

Koen will save more time, because the data entry for her paperwork will already have been done. She was able to set up her forms online, and allows that “I’m not real computer literate.”

Although it is based in the Lower Mainland, Register4Sports.com can offer its services across North America. Jacobson recently heard the southern drawl of an inquiry from the Dixie Football League, just outside of Atlanta
Georgia.

It’s a rare dotcom company that makes sense to any parent or sports fan. Could Register4Sports create the next winners in the E-commerce millionaire lottery?

“We’re hoping we didn’t miss the big investment frenzy,” he said. “We’ve got a practical application for the Internet.”

For more information on the company, view the Web site at Register4Sports.com, or call (604) 467-6307.

(VANCOUVER) October 19, 2000 - Sports parents, step out of line because pretty soon you'll be registering your kids for sports online.

That's right, online registration. No more lining up at the local mall or rainy soccer pitch. Once Register4Sports.com, a new, made in BC, Internet-based company, launches its innovative sports registration web site early in the new year, active families will have a service that truly clicks with their busy lifestyle.

The idea has clicked with sports organizations, too. "The response from the sports community has been very encouraging," says Ron Jacobson, President of Register4Sports.com Inc. Why? The traditional registration process is a labour intensive nightmare for leagues. While more kids are involved in sports each year, fewer and fewer parents have the free time to help out. Mobilizing the volunteer manpower needed for registration is tremendously difficult.

Register4Sports.com to the rescue. Its innovative, easy-to-use online system will not only make registration easier for everyone, but in the near future, it will offer a whole menu of technological tools to help leagues run more efficiently as well. Instant databases, tournament organizing tools, one-click e-mail…it's a whole new ballgame for parents, players and the leagues.

"Having four kids myself, I have first-hand knowledge of the thrill of victory and the agony of "the feet", says Jacobson. "Standing in line to register on a given day, at a given time, is no fun for anyone. It's even less fun if you miss that date and have to pay a penalty.
With tangible benefits to all parties, there's no doubt online registration is the way of the future for recreational sports. "

Register4Sports.com's service will appeal to parents, players, coaches and sports leagues all across North America. Its solid service concept has win-win benefits for the whole team:

Benefits to Parents & Players

No hassles, no line ups.
Register wherever, whenever - 24/7 registrations within the designated dates set by the sports organization.
Credit card payment offers greater convenience and budgeting options than ever before.
Web site offers immediate information on schedule changes, field closures, etc. making it easier for everyone to keep on top of the game.
Automatic registration confirmation and reminder notices for next season

The bottom line: Families have more time and flexibility.

Benefits to Sports Organizations

Relief from the tedious registration process.
Allows administration to focus on player and coach development instead of pushing paper.
Simplifies accounting - no cash to count, no bounced cheques.
Reduces follow up on incomplete applications.
Creates instant database, which can be downloaded for league use.
League web site can be used for dissemination of information - parent updates, field maps, tournament schedules, etc
Creates new ways to raise funds for equipment/field improvements, e.g. on-line equipment sales and other opportunities.

Register4Sports.com expects to have the registration segment of the site up and running by January 2001. Anyone who wants to find out more about the services to be offered by Register4Sports.com is invited to call Ron Jacobson directly at 604-467-6307 or e-mail ron@register4sports.com.