It is advisable that teams have a management team of at least three where possible. One manages and coaches the team, another might look after goal-nets and footballs; the third might collect/keep records of registration fees etc and also look after collection of jerseys and shorts. Cleaning of jerseys/shorts is a matter for the management team to agree between them. There will normally be one main contact-person in the management team for players and opposition to get information about matches, training, etc.
Treatment of Children
Excessive criticism of children is frowned upon by the club as it can damage confidence and the child’s personal development, which is more important than team success. Remember “success at all costs” is not our motto. Giving good example is more important. We should avoid using bad language. In light of publicity/allegations about child abuse, managers should be very careful in this regard to follow guidelines, a copy of which is supplied by Club, and is available on the website. One simple rule to follow is to have another adult in your presence whenever you have to treat a boy for example for an injury – remember the rule ‘2-deep at all times’. The use of showers by children is not recommended after matches. Give players a fair share of play in a game. If you foresee a player being on the line a lot, consider him/her for a more appropriate level in the club. Avoid playing outsiders in front of our club’s own players in friendlies and especially on trips abroad.
Match Cancellations and Arrangements
Match details are available in the Daily Star Target Supplement on Tuesdays. If managers want fixtures rearranged/cancelled, they should contact the Hon. Sec. or assistant in our club. 2 weeks notice is required to have any realistic chance of having game postponed.
Managers must link up with the opposition manager before the date of fixture to ensure that all systems are “go” for the game, whether home or away. If the ref does not turn up, the teams should agree to ref the game between them. Always bring your own whistle for hygiene reasons. Also check the colours, kick off time and precise venue. Preferably travel in convoy to away games.
Use of Home Pitch
The Hon. Sec. or assistant in our club should be notified of any arrangements involving the use of our pitches, either bookings or cancellations, friendly or official matches.
Coaching
As it is club policy to send all managers on coaching courses, these will be arranged so that all managers have at least the Kick-Start 1 qualification. We know some of our managers have badges of different grades, ‘I’, ‘P’, etc. To help us place you in an appropriate course, please let the Hon. Sec. know what badge, if any, you have already. You may be asked to produce your badge by the coaching authorities if you are going on an advanced course.
Care of Footballs and Training Cones/Caps
Team managers will be given footballs for matches and training. Obviously leather balls, which are very expensive, should not be used on concrete/tarmacadam surfaces or kicked against walls. This especially applies to the kids kicking the ball at the side of the house beside Pitch No. 11 in Porterstown, which is obviously a great source of annoyance to the residents.
Representative Teams
If you are lucky enough to have a player selected for the league representative team, you might get the parent to take him/her to representative matches and training. You will have enough to do with your own club commitments.
Training
You can train on the Open Space when daylight is available. Indoor training for younger age groups, 7s, 8s, 9s, might be available. Soft-ball is often the only ball allowed indoors. Let the Hon. Sec. know early in season of your wishes for winter training. Dark nights arrive in earnest in October. Remember to bring your medical kit to all training sessions, as well as matches.
Sponsorship
Managers are encouraged to get sponsorship if possible for gear, for their own team in the first instance, and for the club after that. It can buy jerseys, track-suits, bags, etc. Where track-suits or bags are sponsored or purchased by the club, they are club property and must be returned to the club by a player who ceases to be a member.
Ball Sizes
- Size 3 Football for age 7 Transitions if available
- Size 4 Football for Under-8 + 9 + 10 + 11 + 12
- Size 5 Football for U-13 to U-19
Match Day
Management team involved in the first game on match day may have to hang nets/corner flags, and put up goal-posts for 7-a-side if necessary. The last team involved on match day, usually 12.30 or 2pm game, should make sure that they collect nets/flags after the game, together with all the pins for the nets, and return 7-a-side goal posts if necessary. The equipment for Laurel Lodge should be collected on the eve of games, and returned to where it is housed at 5 Castleknock Meadows, quickly after game.
Footballs
You require two properly-inflated match balls. Footballs should be especially cared for by a management team member as they are very expensive and will have to be accounted for, along with other gear, at the end of the season. Don’t ever forget the medical kit going to matches, along with plenty of water.
Expenses
Management team expenses will be met from a float, which a manager is entitled to. We do not expect managers to meet the costs of the team from his own pocket, which includes costs of ref, phone calls, medical kit supplies, etc. Please provide a statement of your total expenditure at end of season, and any balance will be provided to you.
Personal Property
The club accepts no responsibility for lost or stolen gear. So take good care of it. Do not bring valuable clothes or jewellery to matches or training.
Registration of Players
Registration forms for players, along with Birth Certs for new players, should be passed to the Hon. Secretary who will process them for registration in the League NO LATER THAN 48 HOURS BEFORE MATCH DAY. A boy/girl may only play in an official game when he/she has been cleared by the Hon. Secretary. Playing over-age boys/girls will mean expulsion from the club of the manager responsible. After all, it would be jeopardising the team’s playing football for the season as well as destroying the reputation of the club. Whatever age a player reaches in a particular year determines the relevant age group e.g. if player reaches 10 in 2008, the relevant age group for season 2008/09 is U-10.
Registration of players should be done promptly, making sure players have not signed for another team in the current season. A transfer may be necessary, for which forms can be got from the Hon Secretary, as with registration forms. For schoolboys/girls, original birth/baptismal certs of boys/girls must be supplied by the team manager with the registration form, accompanied by annual fees/subs etc. The completed form with player details, parents/guardians’ contact details, etc, and permission re photos on website, should also be returned with league registration forms.
First Aid
Members are encouraged to attend first aid courses, which are arranged from time to time. At least one member of each management team should have such training.
Hygiene
Sponges are not recommended in your medical kit. Cotton wool should be used instead and disposed of immediately after use into a plastic bag.
Protests
If you are convinced that the opposition is playing a “banger” (over-age or unregistered player), and you think you will need to protest, get the player’s signature at half-time, or at full-time if he/she has only come on as a substitute in the second-half. Inform the Hon. Sec. within eight hours of the game as he has to lodge the protest quickly. You are allowed up to four signatures from the opposition in one game. The club does not favour trivial protests or persistent complaining about referees.
Appointment of Team Managers
Appointments are for one season at a time. It is a matter for the Executive Committee to decide annually on the best deployment of managers. Managers are moved from one team to another if it is considered in the best interests of the club. The committee may also decide, in exceptional circumstances, to remove someone from team management.
Poaching
This is an important subject. Therefore, if you are interested in a player with another club, you should speak to your Hon. Secretary in the first instance. This is very important in view of the clampdown on poaching by the leagues. As a rule of thumb, players are eligible in July for transfer from one club to another.
Warm-up Exercises
The club coach places great emphasis on the importance of being properly prepared for matches and training. He points out that injuries like groin strain can occur as a result of players not doing their warm-up exercises, e.g. stretching exercises. More importantly, they can do themselves greater damage, especially to their bone joints, where over a period of time they persistently neglect their warm-up exercises.
Kitting Out Players
Proper shirts/shorts/stockings must be worn at matches. Green/White hoops are the club’s colours and must be used always except where there is a clash of colours with the opposing team. You should check with the opposition team manager before match day so that you can have your alternative strip ready if necessary. If you have not got a second strip, you should contact the Asst. Hon. Secretary before match day.
Return of Trophies
League trophies should be returned no later than end-December to avoid having the Club financially penalised.
Hon. Secretary Tony Jordan Phone: 8217879; 087-6535354
Asst. Secretary Eamonn O’Connor : 087-2430969
1st Sept 2008
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