Medalyst transforms financial management
at Lenti Waterpolo Club
Lenti Vizilabda's financial challenges
When Attila looks across the swimming pool during the afternoon practice at Lenti Vizilabda Club, he can now focus on what matters most: athlete development.
This wasn't always the case. For many years, the water sports club founded in 1989 and home to 160 athletes across seven teams, struggled with a financial management system that drained resources – and patience.
Before Medalyst, one staff member spent up to 18 hours monthly on payment processing. Attila explains: "We were constantly chasing the 30% of payments that came in late, correcting the 20% with errors, and manually sending reminders. The administrative burden took away from what we do best: coaching."
This financial inefficiency created real problems, like delayed equipment purchases and postponed grant contributions. “Bonus”: the staff was stretched thin between administrative tasks and coaching responsibilities. Almost daily, the parents expressed frustration with unclear fee structures and payment dates, while coaches struggled to maintain full records of athlete attendance and development.
Finding the right solution
The club's management started searching for a system to address their specific operational challenges.
“We needed more than just digital payments”, says Attila: "We needed a complete system that could streamline our financial processes, improve communication with parents, and give our coaches more time to focus on athletes."
After evaluating several options, they selected Medalyst for its comprehensive financial management capabilities, customizable features, and user-friendly interface for both staff and parents.
Implementation: a practical approach
The club implemented Medalyst with a one-month transition plan designed to minimize disruption:
They began by configuring the system with athlete information, resolving minor technical challenges like incorrect email addresses and sibling registration connections.
Staff training was minimal, thanks to the intuitive design of the platform. "The system was surprisingly straightforward," notes Attila. "Our coaches picked it up quickly, which was essential since we couldn't afford extensive downtime."
To ensure parent adoption, the club organized information sessions and shared instructional videos through their existing communication channels.
They strategically rolled out features, beginning with attendance tracking and athlete evaluations before expanding to the comprehensive financial management tools.
We approached the transition systematically, Attila explains. "We introduced the most immediately-valuable features first, and we built confidence in the system before moving to the more complex functionality."
Measurable impact on operations
The implementation delivered quantifiable results across all areas of the club's operations:
Financial management transformation
“The impact on our financial processes was immediate”, says Attila. "Payment administration that once consumed 4 hours weekly now takes just 1 hour – that's 12 hours that our coaching staff gets back every month."
On-time payments increased from 70% to 90%, which improved the cash flow by 30%. Payment errors decreased from 20% to 10%, and the need for manual payment reminders was completely eliminated.
Staff efficiency
With administrative burdens reduced, coaches redirected their time to athlete development. "Our coaching staff now spends more time doing what they do best", Attila notes. "We now have comprehensive athlete evaluations, better-structured training programs, and less administrative stress."
Enhanced parent experience
The Medalyst system provides clarity and convenience for parents. "The transparent fee structure and payment schedules eliminated confusion," Attila explains. "80% of our parents have transitioned to digital payments, because they appreciate the simplicity *and* the confirmation receipts."
Even parents who initially have been skeptical, now have embraced the system. As one parent commented, "I was resistant to *just another app* at first, but now I can't imagine going back to the old way. Everything I need to know about schedules and payments is in one place."
Next strategic steps:
Building on this success, Lenti Vizilabda Club is expanding its use of Medalyst:
“We're now implementing inventory tracking to better manage our equipment,” explains Attila. "Next, we'll integrate statistical analysis for more precise performance monitoring and develop customized season structures for different age groups."
The club plans to keep improving financial automation for more comprehensive reporting, allowing them to make more informed decisions about program development and resource allocation.
Practical advice for implementation
Based on their experience, Attila offers specific recommendations for other clubs considering Medalyst: “Start by clearly defining your operational pain points”, he advises. "Implement the core financial features first to establish immediate value, then expand to other modules as your team becomes comfortable with the system."
He emphasizes the importance of involving key stakeholders early in the process: "Get your coaches and administrative staff aligned on the implementation approach. Their buy-in is crucial for successful adoption."
Bottom line? There’s a huge difference
For Lenti Vizilabda Club, Medalyst has transformed day-to-day operations in meaningful ways. Financial stability has improved, administrative burdens have been lifted, and communication has been enhanced.
The most significant change is in our organizational culture, concludes Attila. "We've shifted from constantly managing payment problems to focusing on athlete development and program growth. Medalyst hasn't just streamlined our processes—it's helped us become a more professional, forward-thinking club."