Team Managers are an important part of the team and club. Managers enable team coaches to concentrate on coaching by taking on responsibility for communications, rostering, team administration, etc. It is vital that each team has a manager as well as a coach.
Team Communication
Early and accurate communication is critical for all teams. Our members lead busy lives and often have to fit football in amongst many other commitments. Therefore, any changes to training or games times / locations need to be communicated to the team as soon as possible.
All Team Managers get access to Stack TeamApp, which has all the players in your team listed and their relevant contact details. Managers can send a message to the whole group, or selected players / parents. Stack Team App has a number of useful features including Chat, Events and Schedules.
Playing Kits
The club supplies every registered player with a playing shirt, training shirt, short and socks. These are for the players to keep.
Players need to supply their own football boots and shin pads (mandatory for training and games).
Child Safety
It is a strict requirement that all staff and volunteers at NLFCJ have a current Working With Children Check (WWCC).
If you have a current WWCC, please provide the details when you register as a volunteer.
If you do not have a current WWCC, you can apply for one. If you have any issues with applying for your WWCC, please contact the club and we can help.
Safety Check
Each manager should do a quick assessment of the field and surrounds prior to the commencement of the game. This is to ensure that all goals, playing surfaces and surrounds are safe to be used. Any safety concerns should be reported, addressed and fixed before the game commences.
Ground Officials
It is the responsibility of each Junior or Senior team manager of the home club to provide at least one ground official, per field, who must be in clearly identifiable uniform and must identify themselves to the appointed match official at least 15 minutes prior to the match. Ground officials are to be visible at all times and must be designated to provide an escort to all match officials before kick-off, at half time and full time. A ground official cannot be the coach or manager whose game is in progress.
Before the Match
- Make sure you and any other game officials have their game tags on
- Ensure team sheet is completed correctly
- Upon arrival of the officials, make known to them that you are the team manager in case they need assistance
- If an official referee is not present, ensure that the club is notified so a referee is arranged either by the club or by consent of the two teams playing
- Ensure that 2 appropriate match balls are available for referee (if it your home game)
During the Match
- Ensure that the spectators behaviour is orderly and is not abusive to the referee or his assistants, players or other spectators
- Ensure that the no smoking rule is observed
- Direct and assist any ambulance if called to attend a player or any other person
- Be of assistance wherever possible
After the Match
- Ensure the referees safety at all times
- Ensure that both teams leave the grounds in a proper and orderly manner
- Ensure team sheet is checked and signed
Equal Playing Time Policy
Coaches and Managers of under 6 to Under 12 teams must ensure that all players receive equal playing time for each and every game. The only exception is where a player is injured or does not want to play.
Coaches and Managers of under 13 to Under 16 community teams must ensure that all players receive equal playing time over the entire season. These age groups differ from the younger players because in some games a player may be required to play more or less time than others. This will be adjusted in other games where they play more or less to make up a similar amount of time over the season.
The only exception is where a player:
- is prepared to play positions the rest of the team are not interested in (e.g. goalkeeper)
- misses training without a valid reason or does not make a concerted effort while training
- is not available for one or more games throughout the season
Weekly Encouragement Award
The club provides each team with a Player of the Weekly Encouragement Award and we encourage managers and coaches to use this as a means to encourage and reward all players in the team for their efforts.
Reporting Match Scores
Miniroos do not keep score and no results need to be recorded.
Junior and senior teams will need to ensure scores are recorded correctly and signed off immediately after each game.
Referees Fees
Referees are either provided by Newcastle Football or we use club referees, for all home games. All referees are paid by the home club. Referees fees for regular season games are included in the Player Registration Fee, and there is no need to pay the referees on the day. The exception to this rule is for any pre-season games where there is a referee appointed. These are not covered under the Player Registration Fee and will need to be paid by the team. The Team Manager usually collects the money from the parents and pays the referee at the end of the game. Team Managers will be notified of the referee fees, etc prior to the game.
Some of the NLFCJ club referees are our own junior players and we ask that all coaches and managers keep a watchful eye over them as far as abuse from spectators and / or opposing coaches is concerned. Any issues should be reported to the Ground Official or an NLFCJ committee member ASAP.
A complement of referees for competitive teams (U13+) fixtures comprises a referee and two assistants (linesmen). For Miniroos it is one referee.
In general, the club will ensure that all referees are allocated for each home game. However, should all or some of these not show-up for a game then it is up to the home team to make-up for the shortfall. You should identify parents within your team who would be willing to referee or run a line for a game when required.