1. Numbers too small or wrong color
If the numbers on the backs of your uniforms or pinnies are too small, or blend in too much with the jersey color, nobody will be able to see the number across the field. That means your parents, officials, scorekeepers, and spotters will all have a very hard time seeing who made that awesome shot or who had that killer assist. (Not everyone can identify your player by his adorable legs.)
2. Substituting hockey jerseys for lacrosse jerseys
Don’t let anyone talk you into purchasing hockey jerseys for lacrosse. The cut is different and the kids complain that they can’t shoot and the sleeves get hung up.
3. Getting hung up on sublimated printing
You can save a lot of money and still look VERY classy with numbers and letters that are sewn on. Sublimation is cool, but it’s not better or worse than anything else. It’s a lot more expensive and if there’s a mistake (which you should expect every time), it’s a mistake on every uniform.
4. Not being able to order more of the same uniform
Next year when you need more numbers, or one of your seniors purchased their uniform for framing, or spilled barbecue sauce all over his light shorts… how hard will it be to replace pieces or add more numbers?
5. Not buying local!
If you need anything fixed on your uniforms (which happens on almost every order), there is NO substitute for having your uniform rep just down the street. I cannot stress the importance of keeping this business local and having a relationship you can depend on.
6. Ordering uniforms too late
The longer you wait to place your order, the harder it will be to get the colors and styles you want. You will also be cutting it dangerously close to your first game. Most clubs order uniforms in the fall for the spring season. If you don’t know your registration numbers, this can be challenging! But if you order 25-30 sets of uniforms per team, you will be okay.
7. Allowing vendor or design changes too frequently
Inevitably, a new board member will have a “hook up” with a new gear vendor, or decide they want to “jazz up” the uniforms and make changes. Almost nothing will cause more stress or strain on your board relationships. Opening this topic for discussion is a recipe for turmoil. If your board agrees that the uniforms are already great and don’t need changes, don’t fix what ain’t broke.
Even better, If you’ve got a clear branding policy to lean on, you won’t have much to discuss.
8. Ordering black uniforms in hot climates
I never would have thought of this one since we lived in Washington state, but a parent from Arizona told me they had the worst season of their lives in black uniforms because the kids were getting cooked! Yikes!
