A clear, written team payment policy (due dates, installment options, fair consequences) heads off most of the awkward money conversations that sour a season. Post it once for your rec or youth team, and every reminder just points back to a policy everyone already agreed to.

Payment policy Copy

[Team Name] payment policy.

  • Amount: [$0] per player for the [season] (covers [registration, kit, refs, fields]).
  • Due: [date].
  • How: [in the app / link]: one payment, no cash to chase.
  • Refunds: [full refund before the season starts; prorated after; none once kit is ordered].

Paying keeps a spot on the roster held for you. Thanks for being on time. It makes running this a lot easier.

Installment option language Copy

Need to split it up? No problem. You can pay in [2] installments:

  • [$0] by [date]
  • [$0] by [date]

Just message me before [first due date] to set it up. Cost is never the reason someone sits. If money's tight, talk to me privately and we'll sort it out.

"Late / ineligible" consequence wording Copy

What happens if fees are late. If a payment (or an agreed installment) isn't in by its due date and I haven't heard from you, that player isn't added to the game-day roster until it's resolved.

This isn't personal and it isn't about the money for its own sake. It's what keeps it fair for the families who paid on time. A quick heads-up is all it takes to avoid it.

Pair it with Firstplace's online dues collection: payment status is visible at a glance and reminders go out on their own.
Author Steven Kovar
Founder of Firstplace
Last Updated Usage Part of the team management guide. Free to copy and adapt for your team.