Fall 2009 - Spring 2010

Dear Team Managers:

Welcome to the Albany-Berkeley Soccer Club! Thank you so much for volunteering for the important role of team manager. Please get familiar with the information in this handbook, which I have created to support you in this role. You will not necessarily be doing all tasks in this handbook. Together, you and your coach will determine your exact role on the team.

This handbook is a work in progress. I welcome all questions and comments on how to improve it. Let me know if you think something could be explained better, or if you have other useful resources to share.  A hard copy of this handbook will be available to you in your coaches' team packet provided by the registrar, or you may contact me for a copy.

Thank you,

Marianne Fisher
Volunteer Coordinator
Albany-Berkeley Soccer Club
volunteer4absc@sbcglobal.net
510-525-7720
 

Table of Contents

1.    Club Contacts

2.    The Recreational Team Manager
2.1.   Job description
2.2.   Team officials

3.    Pre-Season Checklist
3.1.   Apply for adult I.D. pass
3.2.   The “Coach Packets”
3.3.   Roster updates
3.4.   Game schedule
3.5.   Practice schedule
3.6.   Transition to U10
3.7.   Rainout numbers
3.8.   Code of conduct reminder
3.9.   Uniforms
3.10. Puma uniform scholarship

4.    During the Season
4.1.   Weekly practice and game time reminders
4.2    Entering scores in 'mysoccerleague.com'
4.3.   Snack schedule
4.4.   Team photo day
4.5.   First Aid
4.6.   Non-English speaking families
4.7.   Fan cards

5.    End of Season
5.1.   The Fall Jamboree
5.2.   Coach appreciation 
5.3.   End-of-season team party
5.4.   Season mementos
5.5.   Volunteer refund reminder
 
Appendix 1 – Additional Information
6.     On-line Sign-up Process
7.     Player Passes (U9 and older)
8.     Adult ID passes
9.     Medical Release Forms
10.   Game Cards

Appendix 2 – Competative Teams
11.   Team Manager(s)
12.   Tryouts
13.   Team Formation
14.   Uniforms
15.   Referee Requirements
16.   Tournaments

Appendix 3 – Spectator areas

Appendix 4 – Our place in the soccer world

Appendix 5 – Additional resources
17.    Party location ideas
18.    Places for teams to eat after practices/games
19.    List of suggested snacks

 
1.    Club Contacts

Albany-Berkeley Soccer Club
1442-A Walnut St #426
Berkeley, CA 94709
www.abscsoccer.com
510-526-3912
   
Club Manager
Steven Morrison
abscmanager@yahoo.com
510-229-0721
   
Administrator
Julie Anderson
absc.admin@comcast.net
510-526-3912   

Volunteer Coordinator
Marianne Fisher
volunteer4absc@sbcglobal.net
510-525-7720
   
Registrar
Karen Steinmeyer
ksteinmeyer@alumni.ucsd.edu
510-558-0634

 
2.   The Recreational Team Manager
              
2.1 Job Description

The team manager is chosen by the coach and assists the coach by handling team communications and taking care of activities that take place off the field. Once the team roster is announced, the team manager should check in with the coach to determine the exact responsibilities of the team manager.
Some of the typical responsibilities are:

     □ Update and distribute the team roster with each family’s contact information to all families on
        your team.

     □ Communicate messages from the coach to the team on an as-needed basis, by email or phone.

     □ Create and distribute the team snack schedule if the team "does" snacks.

     □ Prepare and maintain a game and practice schedule and distribute to all families.

     □ Inform all parents of changes to the game and practice schedule throughout the season.

     □ Inform all parents regarding the "Sidelines Behavior" policies. (The coach will have a copy of
        this in his coach packet provided to him by the registrar).

     □ Help coordinate the purchase and distribution of Puma uniforms if in the Under-12 or older age
        groups.

     □ Organize end-of-season player awards based on team interest.

     □ Organize end-of-season celebrations based on team interest.

     □ Decide on an end of season "thank you" for the coach and assistant coach based on team
        interest.

     □ Enter scores in mysoccerleague.com during season.

2.1 Team Officials
Each team should have a head coach, an assistant coach and a team manager (teams can opt for two "co-coaches" and no assistant coach). Each of these positions qualifies the volunteer for a refund of their $100 volunteer deposit.

Once the coach chooses the team officials, they must be registered with the club; a quick sign-up on Sportability for FREE. Our club registrar can facilitate this. TEAM OFFICIALS ARE LIMITED TO THREE PER TEAM, AND EACH MUST BE REGISTERED AND FULFILL THEIR DUTIES TO RECEIVE THE $100 VOLUNTEER REFUND.

Other parents should be encouraged to assist on an as-needed basis to volunteer with the team – on and off the field.  However, this assistance will not count towards the volunteer refund (they can obtain the refund by volunteering in other activities with the club). See our website for a list of volunteer opportunities: www.abscsoccer.com; click Volunteers.

3.    Pre-Season Checklist

3.1 Apply for Adult I.D. Pass
Fall season: ALL team managers (new and returning) must sign up AND submit signed paperwork to the registrar. This can be done on-line or during the walk-in registrations sessions.

Spring season: Team managers returning from the previous fall to the same team must sign-up on-line or at a walk-in session, but do not need to submit any new paperwork/photo/etc. (The registrar will return your fall pass to you for re-use.)  New team managers and those serving on a team in a different age group from the fall season must sign up AND submit paperwork to the registrar.

See appendix 1, #6 for instructions regarding applying for the adult I.D. Pass.

3.2 The "Coach Packets” 
Each head coach receives a complete "Coach Packet" from the registrar (‘office in a bag’). Your coach must have his/her ‘coach packet’ before the first game. This packet will include the team roster with parent contact information; the players’ medical release forms which must be brought to each game and practice; and paperwork for the team manager, such as this handbook. Please ask your coach or the registrar for a copy of the roster.

3.3 Roster updates
Please inform the registrar promptly of any changes to the roster. These changes include "no-shows", players who drop out of the team or any data errors such as incorrect phone numbers or email addresses. An incorrect email address in our database means a family misses most communiqués from the club.

3.4 Game schedule
The game schedules are posted to the club website a week or two before the first game. Click “Game Schedules” in the left side bar menu and follow the prompts to view the schedule by team. Click on your team name to view a printable version of your own team’s schedule. If instructed by your coach, email your team the dates, times and locations of the games, and keep them informed of any changes to the schedule throughout the season. Ask your coach what time players should arrive for the pre-game warm-up. Most coaches ask that their players be there at least 30 minutes early for pre-game warm-up. Remind team members that directions to all playing fields can be found on the game schedule page and the ABSC website – click Fields/Rainout Info in the left sidebar menu.

3.5 Practice Schedule
Announce to the team via email/phone and/or handouts the date, time and location of the team practices. The practice schedule can be found on the ABSC website about a month before the first game of the season. Click “Practice Schedules” in the left side bar menu and follow the prompts to view the schedule by team.

3.6 Transition to U10
Many things change when a team moves from the Under-8 age group to the Under-9 or Under-10 age group. Referees are usually provided on game day for the Under-9 and older teams. Before each game begins, each coach is required to show the referee the team’s Player ID Passes, Adult ID Passes, Medical Release Forms and pre-filled-in Game Cards. The club registrar provides each coach with these items. (See Appendix 1, #7-10 for details.) Players must be prepared to be ‘checked in’ by the referee. They will be asked to line up to show they have 1) shin guards, 2) proper soccer cleats - no baseball cleats (sneakers are ok), 3) no jewelry, and 4) get checked off by name. The kids get used to this little ritual and seem to enjoy it.

3.7 Rainout numbers
Review the rainout procedures with the Coach. List the rainout numbers that parents can call to check about field closures and explain the system to them. Rainout and field information can be found on the club website: Click on “Fields/Rainout Info.” in the left sidebar menu.

3.8 Code of Conduct reminder
Be sure that all parents have a hard copy of the “Sideline Behavior” handout during the initial practice and ask them to read it before the first game. It is posted to: http://www.abscsoccer.com/coaches, under “ABSC Supports Positive Play.”  If you don't have a printer, please ask the ABSC manager to send you hard copies by mail in time for your first game.

3.9 Uniforms
ABSC has a uniform policy which varies by age group.  Under-10 and younger teams wear our blue and yellow reversible jersey with blue shorts and white socks. Under-14 and older teams wear our blue and yellow Puma uniforms. Under-12 teams wear either uniform at the discretion of the team. 

On teams that wear the "Puma" uniforms, the Team manager coordinates the purchase and distribution of uniforms. For instruction and an order form, please contact the club manager.

Information on uniform requirements, costs, and a schedule of seasonal sales hours and location can be found on the club website – click Uniforms in the left sidebar menu.

3.10 Uniform scholarships
Reversible jerseys/uniforms: A partial scholarship may be
requested at the time of purchase.
Puma uniforms: Each season, one family per team can request a reimbursement for their child’s uniform. To request reimbursement, they must submit a Refund Request Form and provide a receipt. The form can be found on the ‘Refunds’ page on the club website.

For more information contact our club registrar, Karen Steinmeyer.
 
4.   During the Season

4.1 Weekly practice and game schedule reminders
Send a weekly announcement to team members reminding them of the practice and game dates and times, game location, snack reminders and any other messages from the coach. Many team managers print out the schedule of games and practices and hand them out to team families on the first day of practice and after any change in the schedule.

4.2 Entering scores in mysoccerleague.com
In the event that the head coach delegates this to you, here are the instructions. Within a couple of days of each game, please:

•  Go to website: www.mysoccerleague.com
•  Login: A password arrives in an automatically generated email from mysoccerleague to the head

    managers when photos are ready for pick-up.

4.5 First Aid
The ABSC manager provides each coach with a first-aid kit. The cost of replenishing first-aid supplies may be reimbursed (limit $10/season) with receipts. See club website - click ‘Refunds’ in the left sidebar or a refund form. During the year ABSC organizes a free first-aid training course.  Encourage your coach or other parents on the team to enroll in this course.

4.6 Non-English-speaking families
You and your coach are responsible for making sure that all parents get important team information in a timely manner. If you have a player whose parents only speak Spanish, please contact the volunteer coordinator if you need assistance. For other languages, you will need to make an extra effort to make sure that the player keeps his or her parents informed.

4.7 Fan Cards
One sheet of the team ‘fan cards’ is included in the coach packet for your optional use. They help the parents learn the players’ names, promote team spirit and are a lot of fun.  Simply fill in the jersey numbers and make copies to distribute to the parents. Keep in mind that there may be changes to the team roster during the first several weeks of practice.

5.   End Of Season

5.1 The Fall Jamboree
At the end of each fall season, our league holds its annual Jamboree. This two-day event is a great opportunity for our recreational players. The event is laid-out like a tournament, but maintains a recreational environment with which the kids are familiar. A team plays several games over the course of a weekend in a very exciting environment. In order to participate, each team will be asked to provide two volunteers to serve as Field Marshals at the event. The coach and team manager will be informed of exact volunteer requirements when the Jamboree is announced.  For more information about the Field Marshal position, and to register your team for this year’s Jamboree, please refer to the ABSC website, or contact Recreational Teams Liaison, Eric Fullmer, ezfullmer@me.com.

5.2 Coach Appreciation
Gift ideas: Engraved key chains; soccer DVDs; soccer books; team banner; personalized t-shirts; photo signed by players; soccer ball or card with players’ signatures; new ball bag (signed by players); gift cards for R.E.I., American Express, Trader Joe’s, Starbuck’s, restaurants, Big 5 Sports, or other sporting good stores; a jacket with team name and logo. Check out the soccer gear at Eurosport, available through the club’s fundraising link. Click on “Buy Gear Here” in the upper right corner of our website.

5.3 End-of-Season Team Party
(This task can be given to helpful parents.)
Poll team families for interest and type of event desired.

5.4 Season Mementos
Some teams order medallions, trophies, ribbons, etc.
Consider the benefit of starting small with the younger teams, i.e. positive certificates for all ("most improved,” "most goals,” "most assists,” "longest kick,” "team cheerleader,” "essential defender, etc."). These can be made on your home computer. Players also enjoy: A card with a serious or a silly team photo. A team photo printed on a T-shirt. T-shirts for players that they can sign with permanent marker.

5.5 Volunteer refund reminder
Remind team families to request a refund of their $100 volunteer deposit if they have done an official volunteer job during the season (minimum 8 hours of work). The deadline for requesting a refund for the previous spring and fall season is July 31st. ABSC encourages and thanks all generally helpful parents who help at practices and games. However, the club only refunds the $100 deposit for the official ABSC volunteer positions. A list of the official volunteer positions and instructions for requesting the refund are posted to our website. Click on “Volunteers” and “Refunds” in the left sidebar menu for details. One head coach, assistant coach, and team manager per team qualify for this refund if they filled out proper paperwork at the beginning of the season and followed through with the job. Many head coaches, assistant coaches and team managers had the volunteer deposit waived at the time of registration if they were returning in the same capacity to the same team as the previous season. Refunds are not generated unless they are requested. Click on ‘Refunds’ in the sidebar on the club website.

 
Appendix 1 – Additional Information

6.  Apply for Adult I.D. Pass

•   Log on to www.sportability.com to register yourself as team manager.
•   Enter Search Criteria ‘ABSC.’ Click on your team’s age group
•   Then click ‘Register a Coach (Head Coach, Assistant, Team Manager, etc)’
•   Put in your own information in response to prompts; when it asks for ‘Coach Personal

     Information,’ ‘Coach’s Child Information’ and ‘Coach Contact Information,’ etc. When it

     asks for "Coach Preference" click "Team Manager" on the pull down menu. The prompt

     will ask you which team you are associated with.
•   Print and sign the form generated (there will be a print button at the end of the on-line

    process, or you can print the same form from your confirmation email.)

•   Mail your form, with your photo (1” x 1“, no hat or sunglasses) to the club registrar at:

ABSC Registration
1442-A Walnut St
Box 426
Berkeley, CA  94709

7.  Player Passes for Under-9 Age Group and Older
This is a set of laminated player ID passes that must be brought to each game. The registrar provide these passes at the beginning of the season to coaches of teams Under-9 and older. A player may NOT play in the Under-9 age group or older without a pass. In the fall season, the pass must correctly state the player's team and age group. All passes for recreational players and adults are returned to the registrar at the end of the fall season.  In the spring, the passes are re-issued to returning players (sometimes recombined onto new teams). New passes are created and issued to new players. Consequently, in spring, the player pass will display the correct age group for the player, but not necessarily the correct team name. This is allowed in the spring season. Please be sure that you have a player pass for each player. The referees’ rule is “No pass, no play.”
The registrar is your contact for issues with player passes.

8.  Adult ID Passes
These are laminated photo ID passes produced by the registrar. The head coach must bring his/her pass to each game and practice. If the head coach cannot be present at a game or practice, another adult (assistant coach or team manager) with a pass must be present. Only one adult per team, who has an ID pass, may communicate with the referee. To get an adult ID pass, register for free on Sportability or through the registrar and submit a photo and signed application. In the fall,  your pass will correctly state the  team name and age group. However, an adult pass from the prior fall season can be used for any spring team in the same age group.

9.  Medical Release Forms
Your team’s California Youth Soccer Association Membership Forms (also called the ‘1601s’) must be brought to each GAME AND PRACTICE by the coach or by another adult with photo ID pass in the coach’s absence. These contain the players’ medical contact info and medical release. These forms will be included in the coach packet. In the event that the coach packet is not available by your first practice, the registrar may provide you with a “signature sheet” (a roster with medical release information and signature spaces) in the interim.

10.  Game Cards
What's a game card? A manilla 5" x 11" score card on card stock provided to coaches by our registrar. The coach or team manager fills in team information (name, age GROUP and gender) and player information (player names and jersey numbers) and hands it to referee before each game. Only used in age groups where referees are provided: under-9 and older.
The winning team or the home team in a tie mails the game card after each game to the addresses below.

•  Fall Season - recreational under-9 to under-14 teams mail game cards to ACCYSL, PO Box 1545, El

Appendix 4 – Our place in the Soccer World

 
Appendix 5 – Additional Resources

17. Party location ideas
      (Recommendations from other team managers)

•   Picnic area/Codornices Park
•  Adventure Playground
•  Picnic at Arlington Park   
•  Asst. coach’s home
•  Tilden Park
•  Round Table Pizza
•  Picante
•  Team manager’s home
•  Parent may offer their home

18. Places for teams to eat after practices/games
      (Recommendations from other team managers)

•  Restaurants close to homes of players
•  North Beach Pizza: University/California
•  Barney’s: Solano/Ordway or Cedar/Shattuck
•  Juan’s Place: 8th/ Carleton
•  North Beach Pizza: University/California
•  Round Table Pizza: San Pablo/Marin
•  Albany Pizza Co.: San Pablo/Garfield
•  Picante: 6th/Gilman

19. List of suggested snacks
Try to start the season with healthy snacks; it can set the bar for the entire season. While each team will have different tastes, team managers can encourage snack parents to avoid junk food. Here is what some team managers and parents have recommended:

•  Cheese and crackers
•  Granola bars
•  String cheese
•  Fruit slices (oranges, watermelon)
•  Cut bagels with and without cream cheese
•  Milk
•  100% juice
•  Vegetables and dip
•  Small fruits (grapes, strawberries)

“Encourage parents to equip their players with their own reusable water bottles for practices and games to decrease the use of throw-away plastic containers.

NO FOOD OR DRINK BESIDES WATER ARE ALLOWED ON THE GILMAN ARTIFICIAL TURF AND GRASS FIELDS. These are the fields adjacent to Golden Gate Fields Race Track.