Team Insight

EQUIPMENT/ GOALS AND NETS we're fairly confident we won't need to bring it back anytime soon. Schirmer: At this time, we expect our prices will be stable through 2024. Were there any positives for the goals/ nets business in the past year? Peterson: Yes, we observed a surge in demand for both goals and nets last year and this growth has continued into the first quarter of 2024. Klein: Our net business continues to be a strong asset for Champro. We are forecasting similar growth that will put us in a strong position for increased demand. Mike Cunningham, Gill Athletics: ere continues to be a push to utilize ball stop systems to help make fields and track multi- purpose. ese systems are designed to help multiple sports conduct practices in smaller spaces, therefore improving efficiency in space. Halvorson: We continue to see strong demand for our BPCAGE Professional portable baseball batting cage, along with our line of baseball nets and soccer and lacrosse goals/nets. Schirmer: Our goal/sport net sales increased over the past year, so I expect that team dealers had similar welcome increases. Livingston: Last year was a record year for Bison aer the record year prior. Please provide some advice to team dealers how they can sell and deliver more goals and nets? Klein: It's important to understand the specific requirements of schools and programs. Stocking a diverse range of goals and nets to cater to different sports and age groups that fit those requirements can help provide those products quickly. Additionally, creating bundle deals that include goals, nets and other related equipment such as balls or training accessories could make purchasing much easier for schools and programs. Halvorson: Being proactive in reaching out to the school AD or coach, church, rec dept., etc., will keep them from going to the internet. Building the relationship so those customers know the team dealer is their go-to for all things equipment will lead to increased sales of these items. Peterson: While most team dealers excel in selling uniforms, many are hesitant about equipment sales and only engage when prompted. It's crucial for team dealers to proactively educate schools, churches, municipalities and other organizations about the necessity of regular equipment maintenance and timely replacements. Cunningham: Most coaches and athletic directors don't know where to turn (with the exception of Google) to purchase these items. Having a general understanding of the goals and nets that you represent and relying on your manufacturer's sales and customer service team will allow you to present the solution to potential customers who are looking for your solutions. Schirmer: Dealers should always be talking to the customers about their sports schedules well in advance to make sure netting orders are placed immediately. is helps avoid delays getting the goals/nets they will need and makes the dealers look more consultative. Livingston: Budgets are going to be tighter this year due to less COVID money, so the key to more sales is to get into the schools early while they have the money. Finally, what is your outlook for the Fall 2024 season? Peterson: Fall will be a monumental time for us if sales continue to grow at the current rate. Aer our successful rebranding last year, we're eagerly poised and ready for the busy summer and fall seasons. Klein: We are ready to provide our customers the products they need when they need them. We brought in our Fall products earlier than usual to ensure that we can continue to provide our customers the products they need before and during peak seasons. Halvorson: We are working to maintain the successes we've seen so far with a continued focus on growth and new products . Livingston: e 2024 Fall outlook will have a lot do with budgets. Sales will mirror what schools do with their budgets, so let's hope for a small increase at the very least. Schirmer: Fall of 2022 is going to be a banner season if we all prepare for it properly. n 32 • Team Insight ~ May/June 2024 teaminsightmag.com PICKLEBALL? We have to ask about the fastest-growing sport in America: Any thoughts on pickleball? Chris Livingston, Bison: Pickleball has been our fastest growing category over the last two years. Our recreational system is up 27 percent over the last two years and our competition system up 59 percent over the same timeframe. We do also offer a portable option as well. Neal Halvorson, Trigon: It has definitely taken our industry by storm. We continue to explore options to enter that market with posts and nets. Matt Klein, Champro: It's exciting to see a new sport have success. As a new popular sport, we will have to monitor to see if in the future pickleball fits in our product assortment. Andrew Peterson, Gared: We do offer several indoor and outdoor pickleball systems designed for competition play, including the addition of two new systems this year. As this category keeps growing, we'll continue to monitor the market and listen to feedback from facilities on additional equipment needs. Russ Schirmer, Carron Net: There is continued robust demand for our regulation as well as custom-sized pickleball nets. They are selling as fast as we can make them. Bison's PK10XL Competition Pickleball System meets all IFP and USAPA rules and can be installed permanently or in sockets for indoor or outdoor play.

• Cover