I have been a Team Manager for 3 very different types of Clubs and they are all consistent in what a Team Manager’s role is and isn’t.  I have found the role to be quite fulfilling and there were 2 reasons I volunteered our second year of club. The main reason, I did not understand why we had such a lag in finding anything out – guess what – there are lots of moving pieces so that won’t change! Scheduling is very last minute in the Club Soccer world.  And the second reason, really the main motivation anyone should have, is to serve the Coach and Team Parents. The Team Manager role is vital to help set the tone and COMMUNICATE!!! I have truly loved and been grateful for all but 1 Coach in all of our kids lives. They ALL (with the exception of my sister in law 😉 are notorious for not communicating details. They are not withholding on purpose, they really do not think about it from a parent’s perspective. (I know I know there are exceptions!) 

So how do you help the team?

Communicate the

following;

• Welcome the group and communicate expectations at the beginning of the season. What do parents contact you for and what do they reach out to coach for?
• Create a Team Fee Budget and share when you need what amount by, will you split costs by halves of the season? 
• Collect Team Fees from families (these are separate from Registration fees with your State Association, from Trainging fees, and if your Club has an opt out of volunteer hours fee)
• Usually the Club Director and Coach create the Tournament schedule, however sometimes you are included in the decision making process
• Communicate Tournament Dates and League play dates to the parents – I create an excel or word document for everyone at the beginning of the season
• Setting up parents in the communication agreed upon for practices/games and general communications 

Recommendations for Team Manager

1. Meet with Coach, have a very direct and clear conversation about each other’s roles, and how you can best support him or her, and they likewise with you. (Typically Coaches are very grateful for their Team Managers and love that you take on this role to help the Administrative piece run smoothly.) Questions to ask Coach include: how early do you want players to arrive for games? do you want a 24/48 hour rule? how do you prefer I contact you and other parents? do you want me to check with you on which bracket I request for tournaments (Platinum, Gold, Silver – 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc) 
2. Gather Budgetary Information: Obtain the Tournament and League list from your Coach, look at last year’s costs, and add approx $50-$100/ tournament for the budget. Recently, like everything else, tournament prices have been increasing. If they don’t the money will get used.  Also, discuss with the Coach if any team bonding events? Beginning of the season party, Christmas/Holiday party, End of Season party. Also, decide (without discussing with the Coach) if you want to collect his gift money as part of the budget or ask at Christmas/Holiday time and end of season time. If you are at a brand new club, ask other Team Manager’s what the Club traditions are in these areas. Then determine how spread out you will collect team fees. All upfront, upfront and halfway, or 3 payments. 
3. Give the Tournament dates and League dates to families via print, email, and the tool you use for scheduling. Emphasize in the first meeting the importance of the RSVP for Coach’s to plan practices, if you and Coach need to find subs. Explain that each member’s participation and as much notice of an absence as possible is important for the season to run smoothly. 
4. Also, let the other parents know where libudget number came from at a high level, and if they do want details you will share it with them.
5. Make sure you are very clear on your role; it is registering for tournaments, league play, and communicating changes to fields or times for practice etc. Clearly set expectations on what parents need to communicate back. 
6. If traveling out of town, try to set up one fun thing to do while out of town. Arcades, bowling, the movies are good low key events that keep the athletes busy but do not use up their energy like say a jump park. Or just a team dinner. If your team travel frequently together this just may organically happen, or everyone does want a break. 
7. If a parent complains to you about the Coach, or his/her child’s lack of playing time or what position players are put in -kindly redirect to the coach and remind the parent of your role. 
8. It may or may not be your Club’s policy, but you can discuss with your Coach and ask about your team implementing the 24 or 48 hour rule. Games are not to be discussed with Coach before that ‘cooling off’ time has passed. Again set up this expectation BEFORE any games.
9. You will need to be familiar with each tournaments rules/quirks (e.g. no dogs at the field, no staking tarps, $5 parking etc)
10. Put Field maps in your communication tool! It helps your families get their players there on time!
11. At the beginning of the season I send a reminder to parents to have both uniform kits, a ball, water etc. if everyone keeps remembering I back off. 
12. Purchase tape from Amazon in case you need to change a player’s uniform number for any reason – guest player has same number etc. 
13. Have a first aid kit handy
14. If you want other ideas check out this bloggers ideas! https://socalsoccermom.com/club-soccer-team-manager-tips/