CLUB TEAM MANAGER – Role Description

Why do swimming clubs need a Team Manager?

• Work in partnership with the Club Coach on all aspects of the event.
• Make all arrangements for travel and, if appropriate, accommodation.
• Obtain as many details as possible about the event and make available to team members
• By an assessment of the risks involved put in place procedures that will make all activities as safe as possible for all the participants.
• Ensure the athletes and team staff have been selected and informed
• Check they are all available and if not that reserves have been notified.
• Ensure all the team have been entered into the event
• Make sure ALL team members have written details of the arrangements for the event including; details of the event, assembly, travel arrangements, accommodation (if necessary – including address and contact number) what to bring, what will be provided, who to contact for more information, where team will return to after event etc.
• Deal with any problems as (or preferably before) they happen:- ahead of, during and after the event
• Make sure that contact details are available for all team members for emergency use during the event
• Keep records to help in planning future events
• Check, double check and check again all arrangements.

• Basic Team Manager Training courses in 2 Workshops
• Integration into Sports Council Wales generic Team Manager Training Programme
• Team Manager Resources and Log Book
• Electronic updates and relevant information via Swim Wales website
• Information about other relevant courses
• Access to experienced Swim Wales Team Managers for advice
• Opportunity to gain experience of working with Regional and National Swim Wales teams

CLUB TEAM MANAGER – PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Responsible and trustworthy
• Effective organiser with an attention to detail
• An effective communicator and negotiator
• Proven record keeping abilities
• Open minded with a sense of humour
• Able to make decisions. Be persuasive and assertive - make things happen. The ability to think on your feet
• Able to think ahead and remain calm and controlled in challenging situations
• Friendly and approachable

• Swim Wales / Sports Council Wales Team Manager Training
   

• Advice and support
• Opportunity to gain experience with Regional and National squads

• Registered club member
• Attend Swim Wales / Sports Council Wales Team Manager Training – Workshop 1
• CRB Checked

• Have attended accredited Safeguarding Children In Sport Course

• IT and computer skills
• Understanding of swimming procedures (appeals etc.)
• Knowledge of first aid

• Understanding of the needs of both athletes and team staff
• Ability to delegate and develop support mechanisms
• Ability to supervise and develop others
• An adaptable and flexible approach
• Confidence

 A Day in the Life of a Team Manager - Vicky's blog

 Unfortunately, working as a Swim Wales Volunteer Team Manager normally means an early start - whether it is a training session or a competition going on swimmers do like to start at some rather unsocial hours! As a team manager one of the most important things I have to do is make sure everyone is in the right place at the right time, so the first job is making sure everyone is awake and down to breakfast on time....sounds simple but sometimes surprisingly hard. After breakfast, the next stop is usually the pool, so this is where transport comes into play; depending on the size of the group, we may use taxis, a coach or a mini bus to get to the venue of the day. Organising transport bookings is just one of many organisational parts of a team managers job – transport, hotels, meal times and locations, pool hire, and function room bookings are all the responsibility of the team manager, and making sure all aspects of the team’s day run smoothly and to time is very important as you want the athletes to have as little stress as possible. Even if things aren’t going to plan, it is key to keep things running smoothly, so having back up plans is always a good idea e.g. if an activity was scheduled outside but the weather is against you, it is always good to seek out indoor alternatives before hand, just in case. During the day, my responsibilities vary depending on what type of event I am team- managing. If it is a competition, I must make sure swimmers get to the call room on time, sort out any withdrawals or team changes, and make sure the whole team know where they should be at all times; during a camp, I have to give support to the coaches and make sure all the different sessions run to time; and if I am team managing a group such as the Young Officials Programme, I will generally help the meet staff with duties such as taking water to the officials and helping out on the merchandise stall. In the evening, the most important responsibility I have is making sure everyone gets to bed on time. With the excitement of staying away from home, this is normally quite hard but a few corridor patrols normally does the trick! Once all the team members are (hopefully) sound asleep, it is time to get myself organised for the next day and finally go to bed.....as I know there is going to be another early start the next day!