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| Lifestyle Company sports teams create better employees |
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on Company Time St. Louis sports fans can find plenty of reasons to cheer for our professional teams. The St. Louis Blues hold the longest playoff appearance streak in professional sports. Season after season, the Rams and Cardinals are consistent contenders. The St. Louis’ Aces tennis team boasts Andy Roddick in its line-up, and the minor league Gateway Grizzlies won the 2003 Frontier League title. In fact, even lesser known sports are well-represented by our city; for example, the US Handball Association ranks St. Louisian David Chapman as its top player. But what about the rest of us – adults who hold regular day jobs, but want to play, as well as watch, our favorite sports? For those aging athletes not content to cheer from the sidelines, adult competitive and recreational leagues are a great way to enjoy your favorite sports and stay in shape. Most leagues feature men’s, women’s and co-ed teams; and many of the leagues include open teams, allowing non-sponsored players to join as individuals. Web site posts linked to leagues and sports arenas allow players looking for a game to list their skills in hopes of being recruited by a team with a short bench. League play is available year-round, and the last few years have seen the creation of adult soccer, volleyball and racquetball leagues, in addition to traditional softball and bowling leagues. “For many years, softball and bowling were your only options,” notes Sandy Raymond, head of the Downtown Volleyball League, sponsored by the St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry. “But, volleyball has always been a popular co-ed sport,” she says, “that’s part of the reason we’ve started the outdoor league.” The newly formed league has six teams participating in its current session, and is looking to expand in the next session, which runs for eight weeks beginning June 15. The league courts are located downtown, in Gateway Park at 10th and Market Streets, and can accommodate up to eight consecutive matches. With games scheduled at 5:45 and 6:40 p.m. on Tuesday nights, weather permitting, Raymond has created plenty of opportunity for downtown companies to join in the fun. “Right now, we’ve got teams from Southwestern Bell, Newschannel 5, Brown & James, and several other companies,” she notes, “but we’ve got plenty of room to grow.” Raymond believes that company teams are the key to expanding the league, and that sponsoring a team will benefit a company in numerous ways. “Match play begins right after work,” she says, “offering a company a great place to gather, cheer their team and avoid typical rush hour traffic hassles. It’s like a happy hour with a company focus.” Rallying around a company team can be a great morale booster throughout the entire staff, Raymond asserts. And, because the league is comprised of co-ed teams only, everyone has an equal chance of being the star of the game. US Volleyball rules stipulate that three male and three female players must be on the court during a match, and that a female player must touch the ball if there’s more than one hit per side. “This creates a friendly playing environment for players of all skill levels,” says Raymond, “and, in general, the girls seem to have more skills and coaching than guys,” at least in this sport. Another benefit to company-sponsored teams is teamwork skills. “Some teams are here to win, some just to have a good time,” observes Chris Hulsey, head of the adult soccer league at the Soccerdome, part of the Vetta Sports Club chain. “In soccer, to play the game, you’ve got to communicate and work together.” He continues, “And, whenever you’re working together towards a common goal, you’re building valuable skills.” While that may seem obvious, the fact is that most sports teams are assembled with players from different company departments. Learning to communicate and work towards a goal with coworkers outside of your normal duties may increase a team member’s value to the company. At the Soccerdome, and all Vetta sports complexes, league play continues year-round, and features men’s recreational and competitive and women’s and co-ed recreational soccer leagues. Adult games are scheduled Sunday through Thursday evening and, from September through March, game starts are scheduled from 6:45 to 11:15 p.m. Vetta ensures that its adult players feel comfortable at all their locations, featuring bottled and draft beer and limited mixed drinks along with soda, sports drinks and snacks. Several televisions, tuned to local games, are placed prominently throughout the concession area; patrons are also encouraged to be active spectators of the game on the field. “We have several company teams in our adult league,” says Hulsey, “and they bring something special to their game – a cohesive identity. They may not have as much talent or skill as some of the other teams, but they’ve got a real sense of being a team.” That team identity often gives them an edge when paired with equally skilled players from a non-sponsored team. “Company teams use their workplace connection to their advantage,” Hulsey asserts. “They’re not as likely to hog the ball and they will encourage a less skilled player to keep improving.” The Vetta staff also works with the teams, providing coaching tips and comparing previous session results in an attempt to create match-ups that pair similarly skilled teams. A company sponsored league team, no matter the sport, can produce real and sometimes measurable results for a business. Employees who participate reduce stress and improve their health and productivity. Co-workers who attend the game as spectators see reduced stress levels as well, and many are inspired to join the team. Rallying around the company team provides employees a social, recreational activity that boosts their morale and increases loyalty. The skills needed to win on the playing field include the ability to communicate and work together to solve problems.When these team players use those skills during working hours it can have a positive impact on the success of a company. The next session of the Downtown Volleyball League begins on June 15; to register your company’s team, contact Sandy Raymond at 353-3085. The Vetta Soccerdome is currently registering teams for its fall league; for more information, contact Chris Hulsey, 962-9248 ext. 14. |
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