General documents

Team Managers’ Primary Responsibilities

Running the Team

• Achieve the FA Coaching Standard Level 1. This qualification includes best practice, child protection and basic first aid as well as development of coaching skills. It is strongly recommended that you enrol for this qualification as soon as possible - speak to the Club Secretary for details. The course fees will be met by the Club.

• Join FACA (the FA Coaches Association). Amongst other benefits membership provides insurance cover.
• Promote team spirit, club loyalty, fair play and good sportsmanship.
• Determine Team Selection policy and communicate this policy to players and parents.
• Set training times.
• Advise players of match day arrangements.
• Ensure that all training sessions and matches are supervised by a minimum of two people. It is strongly recommended that you appoint an assistant.
• Advise Club Secretary if responsibility for a match or training sessions is delegated to another person.

Match Days – Delegate Tasks

• Keep First Aid box complete, have cold water spray & bottle of water available for each match.
• Buy oranges etc for team's consumption at half time. Cost may be deducted from match subs.
• Ensure pitch is ready for play. Check for harmful objects on pitch. Check Goalposts are safe.
• Collect match subs.
• Ensure identity cards are exchanged with opposition on match days.
• Involve all parents, as much as possible, in being assistant referee (linesman), qualified first aider, putting up and taking down nets etc. See later for list of tasks that can be delegated.

For the Under 7 Manager:

Each year the new U7 Manager (who was running the U6s) will need to accommodate the new U6s players at the initial training sessions of the new season until a new U6 Manager can be found to take on the running of the U6’s. Once a manager is identified for the U6 Team, advise the Club Secretary.

Finances

• Pass all money received / collected, with source properly identified, to Treasurer once a month, prior to monthly meeting of Management Committee. Accounts must be kept of all monies collected in excess of match subs and can be passed to Treasurer monthly. These will be kept separate from the Club’s fund for use by the team.
• Club Membership and match fees are set each year at the AGM. Contact the Club Secretary if you are unsure of the amount.

Administration - Delegate Tasks

• Organise a parents meeting to set up match day and social committees and delegate other tasks.
• Attend monthly Management Committee meetings. If you cannot attend you should try and find a deputy. All meetings are open to any parents any time.
• Ensure all players / parents complete Club Membership form. Completion of 100 Club form is optional.
• Ensure League Registration Forms are completed in due time. Keep a list of Players registered with the Club and League.
• Ensure that a record is kept of all matches played and who played in them.
• Comply with League requirements regarding results, scores, postponements, rearrangements etc as detailed in League Handbook.
• Decide whether to postpone any match, having first checked with Pitch / Fixture Secretary if switching to another pitch is wanted. League rules may require Groundsman / local referee to confirm.
• Notify Club Secretary of any booking or sendings off to enable Club Discipline procedure to be invoked.
• Pass to Press Secretary a written match report for transmission to the Gazette. This can be done by team representative.
• Keep parents informed of Club activities.
• Advise Club Secretary if any personal details change, such as address, telephone number, e-mail etc.
• Advise the Club Secretary of any new Manager(s). This could happen if you decide to run two teams and/or teams in different leagues. All regular assistants should be notified to the Club Secretary.

Behaviour of players, spectators & club officials

The standard of behaviour by SOME of the above in various Clubs has fallen well short of that required for membership of the leagues we play in.

Clubs are responsible for the actions and behaviour of ALL spectators as well as club officials and players. Leagues are advising that severe sanctions including seeking expulsion can and will be imposed where considered necessary.

Players are reminded that foul play, and disrespect for officials, whether they be Referee's, Substitute Referees or opponents is not acceptable. Respect for others will result in earning respect for yourselves and your club. When adults give you a bad example, you do not have to follow, but rather you can show the way forward and lead by example.

Club Officials, coaches and team managers are reminded that we play football to the FA Regulations and League Rules. They are agreed before you start, you should not attempt to change them as you go along to suit your own purpose. That means that shouting abuse at the Referee or disputing his or her decision is not acceptable.

To explain:

• It is not acceptable ever

• That does not mean that it is acceptable if YOU believe the official to be wrong

• It means that it is NOT acceptable EVER

Supporters see above please, respect for your own players and those of the other side should be given automatically. We teach the children to give the opposition three cheers at all ages.

Any mis-conduct can and should be reported to the Club Secretary to pass to the appropriate League/authority

Team equipment provided by Thornbury Town

The club will pay for a reasonable supply of kit and equipment. As a guide this would include:

• 2 Football Kits (with sponsorship assistance); Main Kit and Second Kit in the event of colour clash; Kit Bag.
• 2 Match Balls; Training Balls minimum 10; Ball Bag;
• Training Bibs, Cones
• Substitute Tops (with sponsorship assistance);
• Goalkeeper Gloves to be kept in Kit Bag in case of emergency.
• Referee Whistle; Assistant Referee Flags.
• First Aid Kit.
• League Handbook; Result Book / Cards; Substitute Referee Form; Identity Cards (if issued).
• All equipment that you want the club to pay for must be agreed in advance by the Management Committee and obtained via the Kit Co-Ordinator.   All other kit and equipment needs to be paid for from money raised by your team/parents.

Suggested team organisation framework

Naturally, the more assistance you can get in running the team, the more the responsibilities and workload are shared, the less falls on your shoulders and the more you are able to enjoy it and the longer you will feel like continuing.  If you end up taking on too much and end up eventually quitting then no one will benefit and everyone will lose out.

Having a structure as described below may seem a far off dream if you are currently the only manager with minimal assistance.  You may wish to consider a parents meeting to help address the situation.  See the hints and tips section for details.

• Team Manager - Administration, team selection, overall control. Attends Management Committee meetings.
• Assistant Team Manager – Deputises when Manager not available.
• Coach - Training, team selection.
• Referee / Linesman - Substitute referee when one not appointed by league (quite often). Linesman when referee appointed. Various refereeing courses / qualifications are available. Visit the FA website or speak to the Club Secretary for details. It is a good idea for the team Manager to be a qualified referee even if it is simply to learn the rules!
• Press Co-ordinator - writes up report of match for publication on the club Web Site and in the Gazette and Evening Post.
• Social Co-ordinator - organises functions to generate team unity and raise funds for the Club and team. Liaises with Club Social Secretary.
• Fixtures Co-ordinator - puts fixtures and results on web site; rearranges postponed fixtures (where this is not covered by the Club Fixtures secretary, i.e. for non AYL and HML fixtures) with opposition and advises Club Fixture Secretary.
• Treasurer - collect match subs and pass to Club Treasurer.  NB: Many teams have found this spredsheet useful.
• Kit & Equipment Manager - looks after kits, balls, flags, whistle, etc.
• Six-a-side Co-ordinator - organises entry into summer six-a-side competitions. The club will pay for entry of 2 teams into these tournaments. The Club and League Tournaments are free.
• First Aid Attendant – tends to players injured during matches or at training.

First aid kit

The bag itself should be a light-weight, waterproof first aid bag which has several pockets, providing easy access to the materials and equipment in the bag.  The following are indispensable items in any medical bag:

• Disposable protective latex gloves for wound care/bleeding.
• Mediwipes – antiseptic cleansing wipes and sterile gauze pads for wound cleansing and dressing: 5cm x 5cm and 10cm xl0cm. Note: cotton wool should not be used for cleansing wounds.
• A spray water jet containing clean fresh water - for cleaning dirt and debris from a wound. Note: A sponge and water can be used, but it is not recommended. If you must use a sponge, it should be disposable or sterilised/cleansed after each use.
• Dressing pack for wound care.
• Steristrip plasters for wound closure after cleansing.
• A selection of plasters of different shapes and sizes (all waterproof). Note: plaster rolls which need cutting by scissors are not recommended, as an infection may be spread to the plaster from the scissors. If scissors are to be used, they should be frequently cleaned or sterilised.
• A selection of bandage dressings, i.e, small (no 7); medium (no 8); large (no 9) for injuries causing major bleeding.
• For life-threatening care, i.e, emergency aid care, a Respaid resuscitator or Vent-Aid mask is essential. The mask contains a one-way valve incorporated in a plastic face guard. The Vent-Aid mask can be quickly and easily positioned on the unconscious player prior to cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
• An instant cold pack.
• Cold pain-relieving spray (PR spray), ozone friendly.
• The last two items offer cold therapy for pain relief and the immediate treatment of the signs and symptoms of inflammation brought on by an acute injury. Remember:

• Crepe bandages - sizes 5cm, 7.5cm. Crepe bandages offer both support and compression to an injury to a muscle, ligament or indeed a tendon. They are essential for holding an instant cold pack in place.
• Triangular Bandages (two). These may be very useful to support any injury to the upper limb and immobilise the part until further assistance is available. They are certainly useful if the player requires the injured part to be supported and immobilised for transportation to a hospital.
• A small clean towel.
• Roll of zinc oxide tape – to hold dressings in place or protective pads. It is generally felt that lotions and creams should not be included in a standard first aid bag as their application may lead to the spread of infection or offer a medium that may increase the chances of infection.

And don't forget Other suggested items for the bag include:

• Elastic adhesive support bandages for support of a part following a minor twisting injury.
• Protective underwrap, which may be applied to the skin before an elastic adhesive bandage.
• Scissors to cut the elastic adhesive bandage and tie-ups.
• Deep Heat spray – for the warming of any injured part, to act as a pain reliever. Of course, this should not be used on an open wound.
• Vaseline - players may use this to ease friction points and prevent blisters.
• Eye-wash.
• Rebox dressing - excellent for covering blisters.
• Foam padding - to protect vulnerable areas.
• Pliers, screwdriver and a supply of replacement studs.
• Spare shorts, socks, tie-ups.
• Incident / Accident Report Form and pen.

It is not just enough to have the correct bag fully stocked with all the right items; you must know how to use them. Getting training through the FA Coaching Level 1 course and through the FA Emergency Aid and Basic Treatment and Management of Injury courses is highly recommended.

Ten golden rules for discipline in youth teams.

• Establish clear rules of behaviour for players and their parents.
• Be clear that the game is to be enjoyed, and that the rules are there to help achieve that end.
• Players’ rules should concern behaviour both on and off the field.
• Parents should be told that their support is greatly appreciated, but that it must involve encouraging the players and watching in the right spirit.
• Communicate these principles by letter before the season starts.
• Follow this up with a pre-season meeting to get your points over.
• Have clear sanctions for breaches of the rules - usually suspensions from playing or watching.
• If there is a breach, be firm. Enforce the sanctions.
• Be consistent.
• When the season is underway, if it is working, relax and enjoy the team.

Policy on fair play for children

The Management Committee fully endorse the Guidelines for safeguarding Children's Welfare as published by the Avon Youth League in April 1998.

All members of the Management Committee must sign the Avon Youth League Guidelines for safeguarding Children's Welfare.

All team managers, coaches and persons involved on a regular basis must sign the Avon Youth League Guidelines for safeguarding Children's Welfare.

All team managers, coaches and persons involved on a regular basis must agree to be screened by a relevant authority.

Thornbury Town F.C. will use the Club Child Welfare Officer Pam Howard.

All managers must be fully aware of child welfare issues (please see specific page for this).

No training session shall be started with only one adult in attendance.

All training sessions shall have the approved team manager or his nominated deputy in attendance.

All Injuries incurred during training and matches will be recorded in a team accident book and notified to the Management Committee at the monthly meeting.

What to do if a child discloses abuse

Understand that this may be the only time the child has built up courage to tell someone what has happened.

Stop what you are doing and respect the child’s privacy.

Stay calm and re-assuring Listen to what they tell you, tell them that whatever the circumstances they are not to blame.

Do not react in a way that may add to the child’s distress e.g. anger or shock.

Explain that you cannot promise to keep what the child tells you a secret, you may have to tell someone else.

Do not question the child in depth, do not ask leading questions, i.e. questions that need a “yes” or “no” answer.

Only ask questions to establish exactly what was done and who did it.

Tell the child that you are pleased they decided to tell someone and that they are absolutely right to do so.  Let the child know that you understand how difficult it is to talk about such experiences

Inform the Team Manager (unless implicated).

Contact Pam Howard (Club Child Welfare Officer) on 01454 413 290 without delay.

Do not contact parents until you have received advice.

Make an accurate record of the time and date and exactly what was said.

Hints and tips

The hints and tips below are not Club rules, or even guidelines, but simply a list of items that other Managers have found useful from time to time.  It's not in any particular order:

• Talk to other people.  Some of the Club Committee have certain responsibilities but they are all busy people running their own team, doing their job or leading their own life.  Don't wait for them or anyone else to come and tell you what to do.  Make it your job to find out who does what or who doesn't do what.  Ask questions.
• Make contact with other team Managers at your age group, whether it be to arrange friendlies or in advance of league fixtures.  There's nothing like talking to people directly.   The Club Secretary will be able to provide you with contact names and numbers at other clubs.
• Keep your records up to date with your player’s contact numbers, details of relevant medical conditions, etc.
• Take a mobile phone with you to practices and matches.  Have contact numbers either programmed in or to hand including the number of the Club’s Welfare Officer.
• Certainly at Under 6 and Under 7 make it clear to parents what you expect from them.  In particular that you expect them to stay at practices and matches.  You may wish to state that if they have to go that they tell you who is responsible for their child in their absence (not you!).  You do not want to simply be a babysitting service.
• Get on top of the Finances.  Check with the Treasurer / Secretary what the Club will and won't pay for with regard kit, equipment, Christmas Do's, expenses etc.
• Communicate with the parents.  Some have found it very useful to have a parents meeting.  The Club will pay for a room at the Chantry where you can clarify your motives, objectives and plans, take questions, and recruit help!
• At U8 start enquiring about leagues.  Ask the U9, U10 and U11 Managers what it’s like, the choice available, how it works.  Ask the Managers of other Clubs what they are doing and planning to do.  Consult your parents and your team.  Play friendlies against Bristol and Stroud teams.
• The Committee recommends that they enter the Hanham Minor League (HML).  If there are enough players (more than the 20 needed for HML) then a second team can be entered in the Mid Glos League.  The HML team will then progress to Avon Youth League (AYL) at U12 through to U16.  The Mid Glos team will progress to the Stroud League or to the AYL as a second team.  The reason for this policy is to ensure that the club offers a range of standards of competition to enable that the player has the opportunity to maximise their potential.  The Manager makes the final decision.
• Remember, whatever you do, if it is in the best interests of the children, will be right.