Dec 22, 2020 • 3 min read
Hi Everyone,
As we close the year, I would like to add my voice to those who have noted what a challenging year 2020 has been. We in the amateur sports world have been hit with canceled seasons, reduced participation and budgets, closed sports venues and organizations, and tremendous uncertainty about the future.
In the midst of trial, however, the crisis taught us some valuable lessons. First among those lessons was the resiliency and creativeness of those involved in sport. All of us adopted new approaches to managing our organizations and supporting our constituencies. Virtual workouts, socially-distanced practices and proactive health screenings are just a few of the new, innovative techniques that were suddenly put into place as the pandemic dawned. Second, communication and engagement with our customers and members was more important than ever. We have survived because of the trust we reinforced during the crisis. Third, existing trends accelerated. eCommerce became an even stronger force in the sports gear world. Digital technology increased in importance as a means of effectively addressing increased communication, financial and administrative challenges. Last, the crisis and resulting shutdowns dramatically highlighted the importance of amateur sports to athletes, their families, communities and society. The commitment and determination of everyone in the sports ecosystem to a safe return to play was inspiring.
All of this makes me optimistic about 2021. We are not out of the woods yet, as news of the surge in COVID-19 cases reminds us every day. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, though. A better understanding of how to control transmission, improved treatments and the initial distribution of vaccines are all promising developments. Combined with the lessons learned over the past year, they make me confident in our ability to return to sport safely and in numbers. As we do, TeamSnap and I will be there to help in any way we can.
Thank you for your continued partnership. Have a safe and joyous holiday season.
Dave DuPont, Founder & CEO
To better assist you through this, we created a hub that includes resources and tips to help you lead your sports organization, team or group during this uncertain time. Keep checking back as new content becomes available. Visit the hub now.