TEAM MANAGERS

TEAM COMMUNICATION (Teamsnap) - All Divisions

We generally like to manage all team communication through Teamsnap so that info is accessible and manangeble. RMFL Registrar will create team accounts and upload all player registrations and contact info into Teamsnap, however Team Managers will have admin access to make edits if needed to contact info (please don’t add/delete/edit player names with notifying the Registrar.

A couple things for Managers to handle in Teamsnap:

• Make sure players are using the “Availability” in the scheduled practices and games in Teamsnap. Knowing who’s coming to games is extremely important for coaches and you as the team manager. Click HERE for tutorial.

• Practice and game “Schedules” will be uploaded by Registrar or the VMFL. Team managers will have admin access to create, cancel or edit any practice events. Only the VMFL will create or edit league game events. DO NOT create any “Games” in Teamsnap.

• Encourage players and families to use the “Chat” feature for all communication. Click HERE for tutorial.

• Add “Assignments” to each game event for managing your volunteers. This feature allows you to assign or email out to the team requesting parents to volunteer. Click HERE for tutorial.

• For confidentiality, players medical numbers are not uploaded into Teamsnap. A team list with medical numbers will be included in the teams first aid bag and provided to Team Managers.

GAME DAY

A key role for the Team Manager is to handle the administration work for the Head Coach (let them worry about the game!)

GAME DAY VOLUNTEERS:

Mini Division:

• The home team is required to provide referees and set up field. RMFL President and Coaches will find volunteers for this.

All Other Divisions:

• Commissioner (1 volunteer) - pre-training required. Commissioner sits under the tent at midfield and acts as a unbiased official for game conduct, scorekeeping, and official game sheet completions. Home team provides the Commissioner volunteer. An example of a Commissioner Report is available here.

• Chain (2 volunteers) - The Chain volunteer are responsible for holding the yard markers on the sidelines. They receive their direction from the referee. This is a generally easy role that can be completed with little or no knowledge of the game.

• Stick (1 volunteer) - The Stick volunteer is responsible for holding the play count marker on the sidelines. They received their direction from the referee. This is a generally easy role that can be completed with little or no knowledge of the game.

• Play Counters (Atom, Peewee, & Jr Bantam only) (2 volunteers) - For Atom to Jr Bantam Divisions, there is a league rule that all players must play in a minimum of 10 or 15 plays (depends on 9 man or 12 man division). The Play Counter volunteers are responsible to fill in the play count sheet that tracks which players have been on the field. The play counters stand on the sideline between the players benches and the commissioner table. This role can be done by anyone with little or no knowledge of the game but should be able to see down the field to record jersey numbers. Each team will provide two play counters so that the form is completed by a rep of the home team and a rep from the away team for fairness and transparency.

• First Aid (1 Volunteer) - Each team’s coaching staff should include one dedicated person for first aid. Most coaches and all RMFL Council Members will have first aid but it is good for the Team Manager to confirm the person for the team and if the first aid kit is in the team bag. Please review the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for the RMFL fields you are at and our online Incident Report must be submitted.

• Snacks - It has always been a tradition with the Raiders that the team gets together after a game to debrief with coaches and have a snack together. Team managers can coordinate volunteers to bring a small snack and drink for the players. It is good to sort out early on if there are any specific allergies with players.

PRE-GAME DAY FORMS:

ALL DIVISIONS:

• Verified Roster (2 copies) - The verified roster is the official roster list for the team. RMFL will provide Team Managers with a copy of the form. The form includes players’ names, game jersey numbers, birthdates (that must be signed off as verified) and the status of each player (absent, injured, sick, discipline).

  • A player can not play in a game if they are not on the roster and their birthdate is verified by the VMFL.

  • Team Manager needs to fill in the status column on the form.

  • 2 copies of the form must be submitted 10 minutes before the game starts. One copy to the Commissioner and one copy to the opposing Team Manager.

  • An example of a filled-in Verified Roster is available here.

• Coaches Conduct Form (2 copies) - This is a form that lists all Coaches and Managers for the team. It includes their NCCP number and signature confirming acceptance of the VMFL coaches code of conduct. RMFL will provide Team Managers with a copy of this completed form.

  • Only coaches and managers listed on the form can be on the sidelines with the players.

  • 2 copies of the form must be submitted 10 minutes before the game starts. One copy to the Commissioner and one copy to the opposing Team Manager.

  • An example of a filled-in Coaches Conduct Form is available here.

• Phonetic PA Roster (1 copy) - Some teams will have an announcer to introduce players and sometimes do play-by-play announcements. The Phonetic Rosters helps announcers with proper pronunciation of names and provides jersey numbers.

  • Team Manager can cross off absent players and then provide the Phonetic PA Roster is provided to the announcer before the start of a game.

  • Football players available here: Phonetic PA Roster

  • Cheer Squad is available here: Phonetic PA Roster

ATOM, PEEWEE, & JR BANTAM Only:

• Play Count Sheets - Team Managers can provide blank sheets to the Play Count Volunteers. Home team should be providing sheets but its always good to have them available just in case.

  • Blank play count sheets are available to download at: 15 Play Count or 10 Play Count

  • After the game, the play counters must sign the sheet. Then provide the completed form to the Commissioner Table.

POST-GAME REQUIREMENTS:

• Game Forms - For home games only, the host team is to email copies of all game sheets and forms to the VMFL via email. Help from Team Managers to collect these forms after the game is greatly appreciated. RMFL President or Secretary will submit the forms.

• Clean-up - Team Managers help in ensuring player areas are cleaned after each game helps ensure we represent Richmond Raiders well.

COMMISSIONERS

As the official on the field, you are the authority for the game and are pivotal in keeping the day’s events moving. You are responsible for being aware of Player Safety & Player focus in gameplay. You are representing the Vancouver Mainland Football League when you are on the field - make sure you conduct yourself accordingly.

Duties include:

• Ensure fields are set up with cones and bean bags. Ensure they are kept neat & tidy - remind people to take their garbage when they leave.

• If you are on the field at the end of the day, instruct the referees to collect the bean bags, cones and signs and pile them all together neatly at the corner of the field. There is usually a blue tote near the field number - please gather everything at this spot. If there is no bin, collect everything where the field number sign is located.

• Managed the fields.

• Manage and support the refs.

• Collect scores - refs and head coaches should come to you with scores at the end of the game. The referee’s score is, however, the final score, do not be convinced by a coach to change a score.

Click here for the 2023 Spring Flag Commissioner Training Handout that explains: the paperwork you will need, referees, duties, field management, what to do in conflicts, First Aid, what to do before, during and after a game, player equipment and gameplay.

Click here for the fall tackle seasons VMFL’s Commission Training Manual and review the Emergency Action Plan for your field.

FOR OVER 50 YEARS, RAIDERS SUCCESS HAS BEEN THANKS TO THE DEDICATION & COMMITMENT FROM OUR VOLUNTEER COACHES & TEAM MANAGERS