Being a youth sports organizer can be challenging and require the right toolset to run the program smoothly. The season officially starts with the registration, then there is a lot that goes into it right from the beginning till the end. 

How do you make sure that everything moves smoothly and you generate a spark of joy for all those involved? This is especially challenging when you have a limited budget. There are sports software platforms like SportsPlus that can function as a backbone for all sports operations. Then you may need to use certain free tools that are covered in this article to handle certain special tasks once in a while.

SignUpGenius

SignUpGenius is a solution for volunteer management and event planning. It allows individuals to create an unlimited number of online signs up with professionally designed themes that simplify the sign-up creation. Participants can sign up forms from any device without requiring an account. In addition, they will automatically receive SMS and email reminders. 

It invites attendees via social media. Invitees are sent directly through SignUpGenius or email tools or social media profiles. These emails can be scheduled to be sent out on a particular day. The software shows a report on which individual the email was sent to and who has viewed the email.  

The software sends reminders to participants and also generates a report on the working hours of volunteers. Organizers can view volunteer work hours reports and edit their schedules or swap time slots. The payments and donations for items can also be collected through PayPal. 

Features:

• Unlimited Sign-Up Pages
• Email Invites & Reminders
• Admin Management Tools
• Collect Payments on Sign-Ups
• Customer Support via Email
• URL Link for Each Published Sign Up
• Group Organizing

Meridix

Meridix is a streaming platform that enables organizers to easily live-stream different sports at any level. Live streaming can be done for any group, including youth, local, school, and everything in between. The platform helps the organizers to capture and stream from anywhere with HD video, audio, multi-camera mixes. This can be done through smartphones or tablets. In addition, the software offers fans engaging, sport-specific player interfaces with scores and fan interaction. The video is later archived for viewing, along with stats and other event data. 

Features:

• Live Stream HD Video

• Unlimited Viewers

• Broadcast From a Mobile Device

• Customizable Branding

• Live Chat, Polls, Photos, News

• Real-Time Game Cast

• Game Tracker

• Audience Analytics
  
  

Shutterfly

Shutterfly is an online picture storage tool with a user-friendly design that offers printing services and website hosting. It helps in uploading your photos and creating a free website to show your friends and family. It also turns the pictures into numberless gifts and valuable items in minutes. 

Shutterfly can also customize your website with exclusive designs and layouts according to your tastes. In addition, Shutterfly Team Share sites make it easy to communicate, arrange and share photos privately with other team members. The application also manages all event calendars, snack duties, and player availability.

Features:

• Upload, View, Like, and Comment on pictures posted by members.
• Manage your site calendar. View the date, time, and location of each game or event.
• Access your member list and add new members.
• Check the list of players and their parents’ contact information.
• Communicate with your group. 

Open Source Event Manager

Open Source Event Manager is an open-source event management software option. It is a free tool with all of the basic features necessary for youth sports organizers. It helps in scheduling, organizing, and managing youth sports events.

OSEM, even though it is free software, its modern User Interface and features are clean, similar to ones found in many premium tools. For example, multi-event tracking. 

Since OSEM is open-source, it has the added benefit of customization. 

Features:

• Attendee Management
• Guest List Management
• Registration Management
• Room Block Management
• Space/Room Setup
• Sponsorship Management
• Ticketing

RSVPify

RSVPify is a cloud-based event management platform. It is used for both in-person and virtual events. RSVPify features include guest list management, ticketing, and embeddable forms for attendee registration.

The application also has a drag-and-drop chart maker to plan optimal seating, along with menu options to allow guests to share meal choices and dietary needs. In addition, it has an age verification option for events that have age restrictions. The application offers a feature called secondary events. In this, the organizers can call the participants for rehearsals, etc. 
 

Features for Free Plan:

• 100 RSVPs Free, which is perfect for smaller events with up to 100 invitees.
• Event RSVP & Registration Customization. You can match the look and style of your event based on the sport
• Custom Event URL is included in the invitations sent out
• Customizable Confirmation Page makes it easy for the participants to refer back for event details.
• Digital Email Invitations
• Mobile Event Management makes it easy for organizers to manage the whole thing through their cell phones.
• Payments, Gifts & Donations

SquadLocker

SquadLocker helps to manage the purchasing of custom apparel and equipment. Teams or leagues can set up their custom store with branded gear and apparel. 

SquadLocker online stores allow every member to directly purchase all their custom apparel. Once a team sets up an online store, the member can buy what they want, when they want, from anywhere, at any time. The inventory is divided into a different section which includes soccer, hockey, baseball track, and field, etc. Each of these sections has stock uniforms, MVP apparel, etc. It also includes a section on the company’s free in-house art services, ensuring the quality design is on all apparel. In addition, the in-house designers work on logos for many teams free of charge.

There is also a spirit wear and player wear section for every member of the organization. In addition, the coaches section includes custom-made apparel to help coaches highlight their leadership. The organizers or managers can consist of the cost of uniforms in the registration fees.  

Features:

• Multiple Logo Choices
• Free Inhouse Art 
• Extensive Inventory
• Gear Customization
• Easy Returns

Odoo

Odoo offers a variety of applications, but their stand-up application is an event management application. Their user interface and features give an impression that it is expensive, but their event management system is entirely free. Odoo supports integration with Google Analytics and other Search Engine Optimization Tools to ensure that your event campaigns are performing well. This is in addition to the core features. With youth sports organizers lacking the funding as they are, each event counts. Therefore, these tools are perfect for measuring success. 

If you decide to use other Odoo apps, such as email marketing or website builder, then the prices begin at $25 per user per month.

Features:

• Attendee Management
• Ticketing
• Social Promotion of Event
• Vendor Management
• Guest List Management
• Registration Management
• Sponsorship Management