A key role of a manager is to assist the coach with team admin tasks to ensure smooth sailing and act as first point of contact for players and their families.

Key responsibilities may include:

• Establish a clear communication network in collaboration with the coach.
• Share timely messages between coach, school/club/satellite/centre and players/parents.
• Coordinate admin duties for the coach/team eg, collate training/game absences for coach's knowledge, help connect players for possible car-pooling, keep track of training attendance, possibly log player court-time each game day.
• Supervise and manage players in training/competition.
• Remind/ensure all players wear correct uniform.
• Manage team equipment & safety checks eg, uniform distribution, bibs, match ball, first aid kit, drink bottles for all.
• Responsible for team registration on the day and ensure any other rules/regulations of the competition are carried out by your own team.
• Player-support on game day eg, first aid, nail clippers, spare hair-ties, perhaps create a parent roster to distribute duties eg, scoring, time-keeping, statistics.
• Assist the coach with coordinating team building activities.
• Help build a positive, supportive and inclusive team environment that provides players enjoyment, success and challenge. Encourage fair play.
• Be a role model and provide leadership.
• Ensure all welfare and safety requirements for the team are met eg, injuries noted, follow-up on rehabilitation with parents, players aren’t left unattended following end of training/games.
• Help adjudicate problems that may arise amongst team members, parents, the coach, umpires, supporters or the school/club. Be a confidante.
• Support school/club policies regarding behaviour, payment etc.
• Follow all aspects of the school/club’s code of conduct as well as your own code of conduct/ethics.

Helpful qualities to get the job done:

• Effective communication
• Good time-management
• Good interpersonal and welfare skills
• Understand the characteristics and needs of the players
• Understand and educate players on welfare eg, hydration, staying warm, stretching, tending to injury, prioritising rehabilitation, first-aid eg, avoid blisters by changing sweaty socks etc
• Positive & enthusiastic attitude
• Patience!

What support can you tap into?

Online and in-person workshops are offered each year at no cost.
Register for topics of interest here.

In 2024 a Manager Cohort Series was run consisting of five workshops run online & in-person bringing together a fun group of Wellington based managers.  Much of the learning was through shared experience and strengthening ties. A future series may be set depending on demand and staff capacity.

To be kept in the loop about future manager learning, please email ndo@netballwellington.co.nz