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EQUIPMENT GOALS/NETS dealers to rely on the company for quality products. Technology Trends: Champro has focused on increasing the level of durability in its goals, says Klein, so athletes to confidently play at all speeds knowing that the goal will withstand their performance. Using more steel-based reinforce- ments, Champro goals provide greater player response due to the quality created for their needs. New Product Focus 2024: New is the MVP Soccer Goal (photo previous page), developed in con- junction with elite soccer players and engineered to meet the fun- damental need of youth players, but with the strength to compete with the highest-level athletes. It is available in two sizes (12'x6' and 6'x4'), which meets USSF regulation sizes for U6-U8. Gared Performance Sports Systems Advice for Team Dealers: Being knowledgeable about product life cycles is key, according to market- ing manager Kara Oughton. For example, most basketball rims need to be replaced every two-to- five years, depending on use and play level. "Getting into schools and offering to do visual inspec- tions on products is a great way to gain additional sales and help fa- cilities maintain the health of their equipment by replacing worn or broken items that personnel may have missed," she says. In addition, dealers can easily stock smaller items such as basketball rims, nets and pads at their location to make it easy for customers to get the replacement products they need quickly. "is helps promote continual sales and solidifies the dealer as a reliable source for future equipment needs." Technology Trends: Technology in the hard goods category is all about making the equipment more user-friendly and elevating the game for players, Oughton ex- plains, pointing out that "in the portable basketball market, we're seeing more high-tech systems equipped with full multi-media capabilities to be broadcast and live-stream ready for highly tele- vised basketball programs, such as with our newly designed Gared Pro arena portable system." Gared is also seeing more facilities opting to purchase electronic group con- trollers that can operate all of their motorized gym equipment with the push of a button and con- veniently operated using their smartphone or tablet. New Product Focus 2024: Gared is continuing to expand its pickleball line with improvements to its existing indoor and outdoor systems and the introduction of a new portable bagged pickleball system (in photo) that's durable for competition play, rec leagues and tournaments. It has also made major improvements to its por- table basketball line, including new features on our Gared Pro arena system and the redesigned Hoopmaster competition portable system. Gill/Porter Team Sports Advice for Team Dealers:ere are so many opportunities for team dealers to sell goals and net equip- ment, points out VP-sales Steve Vogelsang, but it does require the sales rep to understand equipment selling season for each of their sports. Gill provides its dealers with sport-specific facility equip- ment checklists to use when they meet with their school customers and also discusses equipment sell- ing season game plans to improve sales results. "e best practice is to walk through each court and field to inspect equipment, note concerns and propose replace- ment or upgrade plan," he says. "e most successful sales reps are considered trusted advisors by their customers. On the Porter equipment side of the business, sales manager Shelby Howard encourages deal- ers to reach out to their volleyball coaches this spring to identify their equipment needs for the 2024 volleyball season. Technology Trends: New prod- uct development and technology is focused on equipment safety, durability and performance. For example, VB net posts are moving from aluminum to carbon or carbon hybrid to reduce weight, making for easier and safer set-up, and increase strength, providing for a consistent net height. Trigon Sports Advice for Team Dealers: Knowledge is key. As in, be sure your customers know that you carry these hard goods, such as batting cages and nets, soccer goals, lacrosse goals, etc. at's the advice from national sales manager Neal Halvorson, who points out that team dealers have a unique advantage over all catalog and online direct sellers in that they can meet with and get to know the AD, coach or facility director. "ey can walk around their campus or facility to see what equipment needs they may have and then they need to know about the products they are selling so they can offer solutions," he says. Unlike catalog or online sellers, team dealers are also able to service the customer after the sale, sometimes even offering to help assemble goals if it will help close a sale. Technology Trends: Continuing with the knowledge theme, Halvorson points out that Trigon continues to upgrade its website functionality and digital technol- ogy to allow its dealers easier access to catalogs, product info, pricing, inventory and even assembly in- structions. "is will enable them to streamline and focus their sales processes with their customers to increase more sales," he explains. As for equipment, portability and safety will continuing to be driving factors in product development.. New Product Focus 2024: Trigon continues to see increas- ing demand for baseball, lacrosse and soccer equipment, particu- larly its ProCageT brand of team equipment. Its expanding lines in soccer and lacrosse now include everything from backyard and recreational goals, up to official NFHS/ NCAA game goals and its newest football sideline kick- ing cage has also been a hit at all levels. n 29 • Team Insight ~ November/December 2023 teaminsightmag.com