What's Involved?

A Team Manager is optional but really needed from the under 9's onwards. The main tasks of a Team Manager are:

• Communicate to players and parents information received from the club, such as fixtures, newsletters, club activities, etc.
• Ensure players can attend the following weeks game and arrange substitutes if necessary.
• Attend matches to organise match cards, uniforms, and first aid.
• Encourage players, coaches, parents and spectators to follow the Codes of Conduct.

Who becomes a Team Manager?

Generally the Team Manager will be one or more parents from the team. A back-up manager is ideal to allow for sickness, holidays or work commitments. Managers are basically just parents helping kids have fun. You don't need to know anything about soccer as information is always available from other Team Managers and the committee are always available for advice.

Help

So how do you find out all the details you need to know? If you can't find the information on this website contact a committee member or the Director of Coaching who is at the grounds almost every training night. The club works on a volunteer basis and everyone who appears to know it all was once new and will be only too happy to share their experiences with you. Never be afraid to ask. There is no such thing as a silly question.

Match Day

On match day, the Team Manager does most of the organising leaving the Coach to focus on the players. The Team Manager can be responsible for ensuring u6 - u10 players have equal playing time.

Prior to Matches:

Ensure the following items are at the field:

• Someone to act as unofficial referee if required
• Player ID Cards (u11 onwards)
• Playing strip (jerseys)
• First aid kit, spray bottles and a source of cold (ie. "cold pack" frm first aid kit). Buckets and sponges are not permitted for health reasons (spread of viruses). the use of a spray bottle is recommended
• Water bottles (preferably one for each player)
• Biro - NOT a felt pen or pencil
• Coaches & Managers ID cards
• Whistle
• File or rough grit sand-paper for tags (studs)
• Training Ball(s)

General Procedure at Matches:

• Identify the field you are playing on
• Wear your official manager's identification card. Ensure that your Coach also wears his identification card.
• Fill in the Official Match Sheet
  • At home; you collect the oppositions completed sheet and hand it and yours in at the canteen
  • Away; you give your completed sheet to the opposition manager
• Introduce yourself to the opposition Team Manager
• Issue playing strip to players. Number and name must correspond to match card
• You may request to check the Player ID cards of the opposition or they may request to see yours. This should not be looked at as doubting the team. It is simply a formality and must be agreed to if requested. Players may be requested to sign match cards and this also must be agreed to. Failure to accept such a request may lead to a fine and loss of points for the game.
• If applicable, collect match fees (fees relate to under 11 and above only)
• If applicable, pay referee/assistant referees
• If applicable, collect valuables from players for safe keeping
• Organise referee/assistant referee if required
• Fill spray bottles and water bottles
• Ensure the players check their laces, shin pads, studs, etc
• Have players up at the halfway line at least two minutes prior to the kick-off time. The time notified for the match is actual kick-off time, not run on time
• Take your position on the bench along with the Coach and reserve players
• Encourage players during the game - coaching is not permitted from the sidelines
• If making substitutes do so only after notifying the assistant referees or referee when the ball goes out of play
• Only one person is allowed on the field to treat injured players

At Half Time

• Arrange for drinks, oranges, etc
• If making substitutions inform the referee (eg. if swapping goalie)

After The Match

• Check the Official Match Sheet to ensure
  • Referee has completed and signed it
  • Score is correct
• Collect all playing strips from the players and arrange to have them laundered and available at the next game. Most teams will rotate this with the parents. The person washing the jerseys could also supply oranges for the following weeks half time break.
• For Under 11 and above age groups notify Football Brisbane Inc (FBI) of the score by 5pm at the latest on the day of the match
• Return all valuables to players that were left in your safe keeping

Challenges & Opportunities

Of course things don't always go smoothly, so what then? You are usually the only contact between the team and the club (or its committee) and this communication should be two way. Keep the club informed of any problems your team has wether it is an internal 'challenge' or a problem the team has experienced with another team or club.

Any contact with another club or any of the associations is to be made only through the club's Secretary. Neither you nor any of your team's parents are to contact the FBI or any other club for any reason and any direct correspondence will usually be ignored by the relevant parties. This is to ensure that correct procedures are followed and all parties are kept informed.