Portishead Town
(Youth & Mini)
Football Club - est 1974
Team Managers’ Handbook
A guide to team management principles.
Contents
Introduction3
Definitions5
Qualifications6
Kit7
Sponsorship11
Official Club Strip13
Your Squad14
Membership, Subscriptions, & Registrations17
Training21
Leagues24
Tournaments25
Friendlies27
Match Day29
Communication32
Appendix34
Useful Tools35
Introduction
Welcome to your new role.
Firstly, you are not on your own - don’t forget there are other managers / management committee members who are there to help you, if you need it.
Secondly, always remember – if you are not offered help by your players’ parents, then ask for it - you can’t do it all on your own!
The purpose of this handbook is to inform all current and future Team Managers of their role and responsibilities to the players, the club, and themselves. This handbook is intended as a guide to principles, policies, and practices, for all areas of team management. It provides a useful reference for existing managers and a comprehensive document for potential new managers seeking to understand the role they are considering undertaking.
The main content has been laid out in a question and answer format that we hope makes it easy to read and easy to find the subject of interest. Should you have any questions that are not answered in this document, please ensure they are fed back via the club’s Chairman or Secretary (John Shaddick or Dave Butler)
These aims and objectives form the foundation of the clubs principles and its future direction, and will be binding on all club members. To ensure yearly progression certain rules and regulations have to be put into place to maintain a level of coordination, particularly with an entirely voluntary Management Committee and coaching team. This document builds a set of Team Management guidelines that help enforce and support those regulations. Please help us continue the exciting development of this club by adhering to these guidelines at all times.
Club Aims & Objectives
The aims and objectives of Portishead Town (Youth & Mini) Football Club (PTFC) are clearly set out in the club’s Constitution and most recent Manifesto documents. Both of these documents can be obtained from the club’s Secretary or viewed on the club website.
Laws of the Game
All games shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game and the rules and regulations of The FA, Parent Association, League or competition to which PTFC is affiliated.
PTFC Coaching Aims
·Each year group to have at least one (preferably two) FA level one coach, who takes on overall responsibility for that year group.
·All managers and coaches will be subject to the relevant Criminal Record Bureau “CRB” checks.
·The approved club coach will be made available to all age groups on a rotational basis to promote ideas and ensure consistent standards.
·Each game to be attended by a qualified emergency aid person who has attended an organised FA first aid course or equivalent.
·Promote and retain interest in the playing of Association Football.
·Develop standards and encourage progression to affiliated Senior teams.
Codes of Conduct
PTFC maintains three Codes of Conduct (for coaches, players, and parents) which its members agree to abide by.
Child Protection
PTFC has an appointed Club Welfare Officer (CWO) who has been accepted as a delegate for processing CRB check applications via The FA. All Team Managers will be expected to file a mandatory CRB application – forms are available from Dave Butler. Contact details for the current CWO are distributed to all managers at the beginning of each season and can also be found on our web site at
Definitions
Age Groupthis is the name given to the competing age group as defined by the FA e.g. “Under 11”. In the context of this document it applies to all players of all teams in any single age group.
Teamthis is a single competing team of players within an age group. An age group may have multiple teams.
Squadthis is sometimes used as an alternative to Age Group.
Stripthis describes the players playing clothing i.e. shirt, shorts, socks.
Kitthe collective name given to strip and equipment.
Equipmentthis includes training and playing items such as balls, goals, cones, first aid, etc.
ManagerThe person responsible for the age group
Coach / Team ManagerThe person(s) who are responsible for a single team and assist the Manager
Qualifications
Every team shall have at least one person who has successfully completed the FA Level 1 coaching course. Details of it and how to sign on to the course can be found at
Ideally, you need at least two qualified people per age group. The club will cover the cost of normally two people to complete the course, and will also pay for the necessary CRB checks for coaches.
You may seek to become more qualified if you wish and continue to complete various coaching badges however, you are only required to complete the level 1 course.
Kit
Kit is an essential part of any manager’s wish list at the start of every season. In this section we detail standard club policy and how kit is provided.
As a new manager, do I inherit any kit?
This is possible. However, as a new team, you are expected to source sponsorship (see Sponsorship below) yourself. It is from this that you are expected to purchase your necessary kit. It is always worth searching on the web for any grants that may be available to assist you in obtaining kit or equipment. I was able to obtain £400 from the Football Foundation that funded our playing kit and training equipment. I have also just applied to ‘Marsrefuel.com’ as they give away large amounts of cash to teams that need it – if you don’t ask, you don’t get!
What is each player provided with as standard?
The choice of what players are provided with lies with the Manager. This person will decide whether each player owns/looks after there own individual pieces of kit, or whether overall responsibility rests with a nominated person.
Do the players keep their strip after each match or do I collect it up?
Again, this depends on the decision made by the manager. Certainly with the younger age groups, you will potentially have too many children for the amount of strips you need. Therefore, it is better to have it all collected in one place and ready for the next use. For the older age groups where the squads are limited due to league restrictions, then it may be easier to issue each player with their own strip.
Do the players get to keep their strips at the end of the season?
No. Where the strip is no longer big enough, it should be handed in to the club, or passed down to a younger age group where possible.
What happens if a player loses part of his strip?
It should be for that person to fund the replacement.
Can I pick the strip’s colours and design?
No. The club colours are set in stone. Black and White vertically striped shirts, black shorts and black socks.
What is the policy on sponsorship of strips?
There are rules depending on the age group as to the size of the sponsors ‘logo’, however, it is acceptable to have this displayed on the front of your match strip. Should you be able to have further sponsors and wish to have their logo on training kit then this is acceptable.
Do the strips have numbers?
Yes, you will be required to have at least numbers on the rear of your strip.
Can the players have their names on their shirts?
It is preferred that this does not happen in junior football.
Can we have anything else on the shirts?
You may or may not have the club logo. Other than that, no.
Can I order other clothing such as jackets, fleeces, etc?
Yes you can. For all clothing needs, you should use Imperial Sports (sole supplier), 467c Wells Road, Knowle, Bristol, BS14 9AG. 0117 9779988.
What is each manager provided with as standard?
Basic training equipment is also provided to all managers. This includes:
Minisoccer goal(s) (U7s to U10s) - DO NOT BUY THESE - YOU SHOULD BE HANDED THESE FROM AN OLDER AGE GROUP
Balls
Bibs
Cones
If no sponsorship is found, then the club will pay for these however you are encouraged to raise the necessary money through sponsorship or events. It is also your job to secure these items and then bill the club - equipment should be sourced and is available from ‘The Sports Shop’, High Street, Portishead.
How much of everything do I need?
For U6’s, 7’s and 8’s, it is useful to have one ball per child – however, this can cause problems if your numbers are high – over 25 for example. You will need one set of goals (should be handed down as other teams move up to full size goals at the end of a season).
It is useful to have 4 colours of bibs, with 10 bibs of each colour (available from ‘The Sports Shop’, High Street, Portishead).
Depending on the numbers and how you conduct your training, it may be necessary to have 100 cones of 4 or 5 colours (available from ‘The Sports Shop’, High Street, Portishead).
Are there any rules on ball sizes?
YES. It is recommended that Under 6s, 7s, 8s and 9s play and train with a Size 3 ball, Under 10s to Under 14s play and train with a Size 4 ball, and Under 15 and 16 play and train with a size 5 ball. New footballs should be purchased via ‘The Sports Shop’, High Street Portishead. Ball size is currently being reviewed by the FA and this may change.
Can I get some extra stuff such as training hurdles or training ladders?
This is an extra cost and will have to be funded by a sponsor or parents. Please use Imperial Sports or The Sports Shop to make any such purchase as appropriate..
Where do I store all this stuff?
At home. Unfortunately the club does not currently have a storage facility for equipment. You can delegate parents or coaches to assist.
Who organises all this and determines my needs?
You. It is the manager’s responsibility to ensure each team is adequately provided for well in advance of each season start. You need to determine all your needs including strip sizes.
How do I order kit?
Imperial Sports (contact info above) are very helpful and have connections with the club. As such, the club has arranged a special rate for ordering. Keith and Lesley run the company and will assist with samples if required.
When must I order my kit by?
Imperial Sports are quick, but you must be reasonable with regards to how soon you need the kit. You are advised to contact them direct to discuss.
When will I get everything?
If you are taking over an already established team, you should inherit the equipment already in circulation by them. If this is a new team (under 6’s or a newly formed ‘Youth’ team), then you need to start organising the equipment you need ASAP.
Sponsorship
Does the club approve of sponsorship?
Absolutely! It is important for YOUR team and more importantly for the club. Your sponsorship is paid in to the club, and then the club pay for your requirements from your sponsorship money. Try not to spend all of your sponsorship if you don’t need to.
Who organises sponsorship?
YOU. PTFC does not have an official club sponsor and therefore managers are encouraged to source sponsorship for the squads themselves. You may be surprised by what is available from YOUR parents.
What can be sponsored?
In theory, anything. However, it is normal for the match shirts to be sponsored first. After that, training gear, footballs, bibs etc are all there!
What does the sponsor get?
Nothing is promised by the club. It is for you to arrange, and therefore for you to decide in consultation with your sponsor as to how they are ‘advertised’.
How long does sponsorship last for?
A matter for you and the sponsor to decide. Remember if you need to replace your kit after agreeing a 2 year sponsorship period, you will need to pay for the sponsors logos to be placed on your new strip too.
Can I get any company to sponsor my squad?
Pretty much, but exceptions include manufacturers of alcohol, fast food, and any other ethically unsuitable activities.
Can I have multiple sponsors for my squad?
See earlier answer – but yes.
Is there an official process for managing sponsorship?
No. It is between you and the sponsor to arrange the details.
Can a sponsor change the club’s colours to accommodate their logo?
NO.
Official Club Strip
The club has a proud tradition and is keen to protect and develop its identity. The club’s strip is the most powerful form of identity that helps bond the players of all age groups into a single club community. It is therefore a foundation stone of the club’s history and its aspirations, and as such there are strict guidelines concerning kit colours and livery.
What is the club’s official basic strip?
Black and white vertical striped shirt, black shorts, black socks.
Is there any flexibility with the official strip?
NO.
What livery is allowed on shirts?
Numbers (compulsory), the club badge, players’ names and sponsor logo are all optional.
Do these optional livery items need to be placed in a particular position on the shirts?
YES. The sponsor logo must be placed on the centre front of the shirt; club badge on the left
breast; number on the back.
Is there an away strip?
NO. If you encounter a strip clash then the home team is encouraged to use bibs.
Your Squad
How many players can I have in an age group?
The club believes it is for the Manager to determine the right number of players necessary to maintain a successful age group. Clearly if the support of enough Team Managers is available and there are sufficient facilities to support multiple teams then multiple teams can be supported. Where sufficient numbers allow enough children for two teams, at mini soccer level, then this would normally mean the age group plays as an ‘A’ and ‘B’ team set up under the title of Portishead Town Juniors. This sets the age group up for entering the league at under 9’s.
If there are enough for three teams, then the third team will need to be set up as Portishead Town Youth with its own coaching staff. New managers come forward and set up the equivalent of a ‘C’ team under the team name as Portishead Town Youth (still affiliated to Portishead Town – the ONLY difference is the name). They can enter a ‘singles’ league, or if enough children for two teams, they can also enter the double league as Portishead Town Youth ‘A’ and ‘B’ and play against the initial Juniors team.
At 9 and 11-a-side, the club can only enter one team per club name. Therefore, at 9 and 11-a-side you will not be permitted to have a Poritshead Town Juniors ‘A’ and ‘B’ team and will have to resort to Portishead Town Youth or other name depending if there is already a ‘Youth’ team set up.
The club has age groups that typically range from 15 to 40 players.
For the Bristol Girls League teams are entered on an individual basis and therefore if more than one team is entered they should follow the same A and B format with each team’s results and league position being separate.
How many players can I have in a single team?
At minisoccer level the club guideline is between 9 or 10 (7-a-side matches with subs).
At 11-a-side its guideline is up to 16. This gives enough coverage for absentees but not so many as to give you substitution dilemmas when fully resourced.
9-a-side is a new format in the season 2012-13 and there can be upto 7 substitutes (ready for numbers required at 11-a-side) but common sense should prevail.
The Bristol Girls League change from 7-a-side to 11-a-side at aged under 13.
Can I play older players in my age group?
NO. This is absolutely forbidden by the club and by the FA.
Can I play younger players in my age group?
Typically, NO. The club wishes to encourage players to play within their own age group. If, however, there is an exceptional case, then this can be made to the Committee for consideration. By playing in the correct age group the club hopes to avoid discrimination for players failing to claim a place in their proper age group because they are prevented from doing so by a younger player. It helps encourage the development of same age players by playing with talented players of their own age.
Can I play mixed girls and boys together?
YES, up to Under 13s. However, if the club has a girls team for the appropriate age group then no, the club would strongly prefer the players play with the appropriate same sex team.
Should I stream players?
This is at your discretion but the club recommends you do – certainly from Under 10s upwards. It ensures the weaker players get lots of football and ensures the better players improve as quickly as everyone else.