Sport team managers

This article appears in the May 2009 edition of Sportshorts.

When it comes to an effective sports team, the focus is often on the players and coach.

But there is also someone else hard at work, making sure everyone involved gets the most from their sport. Behind every good team, whether it’s grassroots or elite, is a great manager!

“The vast majority of team managers are a parent, relative or friend of a player. They get given the job – and have to learn on the run,” says Liz Daykin from NSW Sport and Recreation.

“Team managers need to have a range of personal skills, including organisation, communication and listening skills.

“They also need to understand many policies and procedures in areas like harassment, privacy, child protection, as well as information on nutrition and basic first aid.

“And perhaps most important of all, team managers need to role model good sporting behaviour. They must ensure sport is safe and fair for their entire team.

“Managers may already have these skills, qualities and knowledge. But in many cases, they need to learn some or all of all them to fulfil their role successfully,” says Ms Daykin.

The Managing Sports Teams series of training courses has been developed by Sports Education and Learning to help managers. It’s currently offered at three levels:

• Level 1: Orientation to sports team management
• Level 2: Managing senior and representative teams
• Level 3: Managing national teams.

The Level 1 course runs for a few hours and covers topics like child protection, codes of behaviour, working with athletes, being organised and the sporting environment. The Level 2 and 3 courses expand in both course content and length.

“At the grassroots level, managing a team does not need to be complicated. The Level 1 course is useful for sharing and learning handy tips, as well as understanding important issues like child protection and codes of behaviour.

“The course focuses on helping managers provide a safe, supportive and enjoyable sporting experience for the team and all involved with it,” says Ms Daykin.

Participant feedback “very enjoyable and was extremely informative” “all aspects of the course are relevant” “course was of great depth” “was great to have some worth while information” “plenty of good information and practical tips” “what was of most value was the variety of management duties in different sports”

Check our training courses section for upcoming Managing Sports Teams courses.