A key role of a handy-dandy 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 consist of:

• Establishing a clear communication network in collaboration with the coach.
• Share messages in a timely manner 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.
• Potentially 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?

Netball Wellington Centre ran a Manager Cohort in 2024 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.

Dates for 2025 have yet to be set.

If interested in being informed about future offerings, please email ndo@netballwellington.co.nz