The role of a Team Manager

As a team manager, you play a crucial role in the success of the team. It’s up to you to pull together the best team possible and to get the most out of them at competition. It’s not always about the athletes winning – sometimes it’s about them doing their best or even improving on their personal best. The best team managers make all competitions fun and exciting and ensure good team morale, this approach leads to long term success by retaining and developing athletes for longer.

You don’t have to be a coach or ex-athlete to be a Team Manager, it’s a role that’s open to all volunteers with support of your club.

It is recommended that Team Managers:

  • Are over 18 years old
  • Have completed a DBS check
  • Have completed the online UKA safeguarding course
  • Are aware of the club’s safeguarding policy and procedures
  • Agree to the volunteer code of conduct

Skills Required

  • Organised
  • Work well in a team
  • Excellant communication skills
  • Empathy/emotional intelligence
  • Positive Attitide
  • Ability to build relationships with a range of people (parents, athletes, coaches, volunteers, competition providers)

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Key ideas

  • If you are new to being a team manager, consider shadowing another team manager and/or going to a competition as a spectator to familarise yourself with the sport.

  • Take a look at the competition provider's website for information on pre competition admin, competition timetable and rules.

  • Liase with coaches and athletes when selecting the team. You might want to use performance tools such as Power of 10 to support the selection process.

  • Find the best way to communicate with the athletes, parents and carers so you can finalise the team and inform them of the competition timetable.

  • Carry out a risk assessment ahead of the competition and ensure measures are in place to mitigate risk. This risk assessment should also inform supervision levels required for those athletes under 18 years old.

  • Consider those athletes who are new to competition and/or those who required additional support. Don't think you have to do it on your own; the club may recruit more than one team manager and others in the club can offer support too.

  • Prepare a team manager's kit box - race numbers, pins, spare kit, contact details including emergency contact and medical details, pen and notebook, tablet and regsitration forms.

  • Reinforce the code of conduct and rules of the competition to athletes, parents and carers prior to the competition and on competition day if required.

  • Create a positive and supportive environment for athletes.

  • Consider contingency plans if the athlete withdraws before or during competition.

  • Celebrate successes (PBs, performance, result, effort) by sharing a highlight report and photos with the volunteer responsibility for club media.

  • Ask athletes for their feedback on how they feel they performed (both performance and mentally – what parts did they enjoy?).

  • Ensure you are looking after yourself and take breaks throughout the day. Your wellbeing is just as important as the athletes.

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