By Donna Kester /
The Team Manager is a central figure in creating the flow of communication – not only within the team (players, parents and coaches), but between the team and all support systems such as the Minor Hockey Association, Division Managers, League Managers, other teams, referees and officials. By taking on the operational responsibilities of the team, the team manager frees up the coaching staff to focus on player development and on-ice instruction that provide the players with rewarding hockey experiences.
Every team will organize themselves slightly differently to best function in their surroundings; however, there are still many tasks that all Team Managers will need to complete regardless of what team they work with. It is these tasks that are discussed in the Hockey Canada Team Manager’s Manual, launched in September 2007 to support key volunteers in the game.
The Team Manager’s Manual is available as a free download on the Hockey Canada website. This manual provides information to aid Team Managers in the smooth operation of the team throughout the season. Ten key topics are addressed within the manual; team meetings, delegation, team rules, record keeping, organizing games, applying for tournaments, organizing travel, team finances, team activities and coaching resources.
While the Team Manager’s role is one of in-depth involvement – and may go beyond the scope of the ten topics discussed – there is no reason to become overwhelmed. All members of the team are there to support and, through delegation, a ‘divide and conquer’ approach can be extremely efficient.?Numerous appendices including templates, samples and a glossary of terms have been integrated into the manual to assist the Team Manager in pre-planning and organization. The appendices are active documents that can be downloaded and customized to fit your own team needs.
Enter numbers and information into contact lists and player medical forms, incorporate team logos, utilize meeting and game checklists, and preview samples of team rosters, injury reports and stats sheets. The downloadable format ensures that the appendices remain current; new appendices may be added to the document based on requests received by Hockey Canada.
One user describes the manual as a “great tool and much needed in our minor associations. It provides a great base from which our local associations can ‘build’ and enhance the Manager’s role and responsibilities.”
The Team Manager’s role is crucial to the successful operation of the team’s season. Both the ability to work well with a variety of people and the ability to maintain a fair and consistent outlook are strong managerial attributes that will help to maintain communication between all members.
Focus on the primary roles of organizing, planning and overseeing, take advantage of the resources available in the Hockey Canada Team Manager’s manual, and the season promises to be a successful one.
For more information on the Team Manager’s Manual visit the Minor Hockey Section of the Hockey Canada website at www.hockeycanada.ca. Look for the Team Managers information located in the Volunteer Section. |