This is a guide for Oxford team managers and is based upon the Club committee’s guidelines. Managers should try to delegate some/many of them to reliable helpers.

Guidance and assistance will be available from Club officers and other more experienced managers. Much of the information you need is shown on the Club website, but ask about anything if you don't know.

1. Pre-season

If you are a current team manager and will be moving up to an older age team in the next season, ensure those players remaining or coming into the team are made aware of the need to have a new team manager elected prior to the next season. This is best achieved by sending out a newsletter by post to those affected by the change no later than the end of the league season (mid-April).

Registration of players to be arranged in conjunction with the Club membership secretary. This normally means giving out and collecting registration forms (and fees where applicable). It also means obtaining necessary photos, birth certificates etc. Fees to be passed to treasurer, forms etc to registration secretary. At this time all players should also be given copies of the Club's updated disciplinary code entitled Code of Conduct - one to sign and return, the other to retain.

Contact all team members and ask if there are any specific dates during which team members will not be available (i.e. Christmas holidays, half term breaks etc) so that a weakened team fixture can be avoided. Team match fixtures will normally be arranged by the Club fixtures secretary, so inform him/her of any requests/suggestions in advance of offering match date availability to the league fixtures secretary since once they are set, dates are very difficult to reschedule.

You should familiarise yourself with the Club Disciplinary Procedures and other guidelines (e.g. Code of Conduct for Coaches and Practical Advice about Working with Young People etc.) and be aware of your responsibilities under these.

2. Away games

You should supply the opposition with your likely team list for the fixture about a week in advance (for programme purposes)

You should check on availability of players for games and also check on/assist with their transport arrangements. This to include telling them the time they are expected at the opposition's rink. You should also liaise with the team coach on selection (his responsibility primarily) and also ensure that you have at least one level 2 coach travelling (to be in charge of your team bench) and one level one coach travelling as assistant/back up.

When at the opposition rink remember to hand in official team list and player licences to the match referee at least 30 minutes before face off.

After the game you should be given back player licences and a copy of the gamesheet - do not leave without these.

3. Home games

Prepare a match programme for the game.

Arrange for attendance of players, coaches etc. as in away game section.

You are responsible for the running of the game so try to ensure you have trained minor officials attending to cover the following duties: scorer,announcer, timekeeper, goal judge (X2), penalty box keeper (X2). It is also useful to have someone to run the music side of things.

Collect any match fees payable by your players before they go on the ice.

As in away games hand in teamsheet etc. 30 minutes or more before the game. Also pay the referees/linesmen their expenses prior to the game.

You should supervise what goes on off the ice during the game and deal with any problems.

After the game ensure the away team have their player licences returned and that they are given their copy of the gamesheet. You should keep your copy of the gamesheet and post the top (white) copy of the sheet and the green copy to the league statistician and the league discipline section.

You should prepare income and expenditure details for each game and hand them to the club treasurer as soon as possible after each game. Any balance of monies held should be given to the treasurer with the details, or any claim for reimbursement should be made at that time. If necessary a float can be obtained from the treasurer in advance of the game if you know costs (referees fees) will substantially exceed income (match fees) for a game.

All games

Email details of all game statistics and a brief report on the game to the webmaster.

During the season

You are responsible for keeping a check of any disciplinary points your players may incur and for keeping track on whether they have incurred a suspension (you must withdraw suspended players from playing whether or not notified by the EIHA of the suspension).

You are to act as liaison between parents and players in your section and the team coach (as well as the club committee). You will attend the monthly club committee meetings.

Further Advice and Assistance

This is a basic guide and cannot cover everything, but always seek help or advice from others if you are uncertain of what to do or want to expand what you do (e.g. sponsorship, extra activities).