Once teams are announced, coaches shift quickly from tryouts into preparing their group for the season. Use this page to complete the required start-up tasks, establish communication with athletes and families, and get your team ready for practices and competition.

Use the checklist below to get your team ready for the season. More information and links for each step are provided below.

Team Start Up Checklist 

1. Take Consistent Attendance - use your roster to get started

2. URIS Athletes-  check the attached roaters to see if you have athletes with supported health plans.  Administration will provide you with plans and next steps  

2. Confirm Your Schedule - look for cancelled practices and first exhibition game (tier 1 & 2) or jamboree (tier 3 & 4) on the Athletics Calendar

3. Distribute & Athlete Start up Permission Form  - The information provided is a good starting point to creating a team culture & clear expectations.  Printed copies will be provided for you.  Coaches should read and familiarize themselves with the information.

Click below for permission form packages - a physical copy is coming in the mail.

4. Establish Team Expectations - Clear expectations at the beginning of the season help prevent confusion later. Coaches must address the following:

Attendance:  

Consistent attendance supports individual development and allows the team to learn and improve together. Athletes should communicate unavoidable conflicts with their coach as early as possible.  Share a clear plan for attending practice and the consequences for playing time if expectations are not met. 

Communication: 

Athletes should be encouraged to speak directly with their coach when they have questions about their development, role or playing time.

Playing Time:  

Every athlete should receive meaningful playing time. Equal and fair playing time may look different depending on the tier, attendance, behaviour and team circumstances.  Playing time should be directly connected to attendance at practice.

5. Meet with Families - Hold a short meeting with families to make sure everyone begins at the same place.  A great time for the meeting is either before, or after the first game of the season.

6. Uniform Deposits & Pick up - Collect all athlete $70 deposits.  Make an appointment with Kirsten to select uniforms

7. Start Building A Culture - Review your attendance expectations (and consequences for absences), communication for absences and playing time expectations with athletes.  That more that can be shared ahead of time regarding what to expect is helpful.  A few simple questions can help set the tone for the year:

• What do you hope happens for you as an athlete?

• What do you hope happens for the team?

• What will you need to do to make it happen?

• How can I (coach) help?

Keep written athlete answers so they can be referenced throughout the season. When times get difficult, remind athletes what they said they wanted.  

8. Set-up Communication - New for the 2026-2027 school year, school staff must use Edsby and community coaches must use Team Linkt.

The Season is underway!   What’s next?

Once your start up tasks are complete, the focus shifts to supporting athelte development thoguhtou practices, games and the rest of the season.  See the Coach Toolbox section for more.