Responsibilities

Mustang Hockey Association requires all of our team managers to be properly registered and screened in accordance with USA Hockey, State, and local rules and regulations.

What does a team manager do?

Good team managers are vital for a successful season and they quickly become the right hand to the coaching staff. While specific duties may be separated slightly differently based on the personalities of the coaches and the team manager, the level of team and play, the following list is a good place to start:

Build and maintain the team book. This is a three ring binder that includes all of the vital documents for the team. These documents include:

• Official team roster and any supplemental rosters
• Safe Sport Certificate for each team staff member
• Background screen approval letters for each team staff member
• USA Hockey Numbers for each team staff member
• Team schedule for games and practices
• Team contact list with mobile phone numbers for all parents and coaches
• Game scoresheets (blank and for the games already played)
• Team roster stickers for scoresheets
• Directions to rinks
• Directions for running the clock at each rink
• Note paper

Be the team communicator. It's a great idea to create a team email list and send out team updates once per week. These emails should serve as reminders for that week's upcoming practices and games. They can include directions to new rinks and details on any other team events for that week.

Set-up and maintain the team page on the Mustang Hockey Association website. This will be a hub for everyone on the team where all kinds of information and fun things, like the schedule, photos, game scores, and team stats, may be posted and only the team and site administrators will have access to the page. It will also provide team email capabilities. This is the same information that appears in the team's Crossbar app. Details will be provided to the respective managers. This is a task that may be delegated, if you are not comfortable with working with websites.

Coordinate team uniforms. Be sure necessary parties attend Team Shop sizing and ordering event at the MAC. Collect number information from the players and correct spelling of names, submit it to the appropriate program coordinator so they can submit to Team Shop to get the uniforms made. This information is vital as early as possible, so collecting it before the first practice via email is helpful, or even at the culmination of tryouts/evaluations. If it cannot be collected early, then be sure to gather it at the team's first practice. If there is a Jersey Manager, they will handle the jersey sizing, numbers, and ordering. MHA collects jersey numbers at registration; however, they will need to be verified for changes or if there are duplicates. Duplicates in 8U are fine.

Communicate with coaches and/or managers at other associations. You will be setting up your game schedule and registering for tournaments. Regardless of whether you are home or away, it's a good idea to drop an email to the opposing team to confirm the game day, time and location.

Attend the scheduling meeting. This is where games, tournaments, and jamborees get set.

Schedule referees and volunteers for home games. You will be responsible for clock, box, score, and boards (8U).

Serve as the buffer between the coaches and the parents, particularly right after games. Create a trusting rapport with all of the parents so they feel comfortable sharing concerns with you and know that you will address their concerns with the coaches. Build that same trust with the coaches, so they are comfortable knowing you will listen to the parents, and then let the coaches know when there are issues that need to be addressed. Know what the protocol for MHA is when issues do occur.

Plan and coordinate the social side of the team. This may be anything from snack bags at jamborees at the younger age levels, to making team dinner reservations or hotel reservations when the team is on the road, rally signs, end-of-season parties, holiday parties, parent skates, hikes, movies, gifts, or swag bags . If this isn't something you are comfortable doing, it may be delegated to another responsible parent, but you should still be prepared to follow up.

Support fundraising efforts. If a team decides to have a whole team or individual fundraiser, it first must be approved by the Board. Be sure to support those efforts. This may be delegated to another responsible parent, but you should still be prepared to follow up.

Plan and coordinate team photos. MHA usually uses Fitzgerald; however, the individual and team photos are up to each team to schedule.

Being a team manager is a lot of fun and is very rewarding. You will build a rapport with families that will grow into strong friendships, even if your kids aren't playing on the same team in future seasons. 

What are the steps to becoming a team manager?

Step 1: Register with USA Hockey. This is an annual registration process. The registration number will be used to register with MHA.

Step 2: Register with MHA.

Step 3: Go through the USA Hockey background screening . Background screens must be completed every two (2) seasons. You must have a current season USA Hockey confirmation number to apply for a background screen. Once the screen is complete, the Registrar will be notified.

Step 4: Take the USA Hockey Safe Sport Program Safe Sport must be renewed every two (2) seasons by either re-taking the entire Safe Sport Program or by participating in a thirty (30) minute, online renewal course. Confirmation is automatic to the Registrar.

See "Getting Started" for more information.