MANLY ROOS JUNIOR RUGBY CLUB
TEAM COACHES AND MANAGERS HANDBOOK 2012
Contents
Roles to making a good team work ................................................................................................. 2
Coaches ....................................................................................................................................... 2
Team managers ........................................................................................................................... 3
Age managers .............................................................................................................................. 3
Other parent roles for the team .................................................................................................. 3
Roos committee .......................................................................................................................... 4
Important dates for 2012 ................................................................................................................ 4
Before Round 1 ............................................................................................................................ 4
Through the season ..................................................................................................................... 5
Coach and manager responsibilities................................................................................................ 5
Policies and rules ......................................................................................................................... 5
Communication ........................................................................................................................... 6
Game and player details (Buddha) .............................................................................................. 7
Team playing and training gear ................................................................................................... 8
Before and on Game Day ............................................................................................................ 8
Keirle Park and the Roos Clubhouse.............................................................................................. 10
Keirle Park fields and training.................................................................................................... 10
Roos Clubhouse ......................................................................................................................... 11
Roos committee contacts .............................................................................................................. 12
Attachments .................................................................................................................................. 13
1
Roles to making a good team work
Many thanks for agreeing to coach or manage a Roos junior team for the 2012 season.
Our experience is that those who have a hand with running their team enjoy it
immensely, and we hope you will too.
This note, and the accompanying information, should assist in carrying out these
important roles. If you need any information or advice at any time, please use the Roos
community and ask your age-group manager, other coaches or committee members.
A successful team needs both a coach and a manager, at least. The full list of their
responsibilities is covered in the table below. Who does what may vary from team to
team, and between age groups. The main thing is that it’s all done and that the players
have an enjoyable rugby experience with the Roos.
Importantly, coaches and managers are leaders within our Club, and will set the
standards for parents on and off the field, in respecting all players and opponents, in
encouraging their team and in instilling in their players respect for the game and its
traditions of fair and enjoyable play.
Coaches
Coaches run the team on game days and trainings. Their focus is to develop team
tactics, teamwork and culture, and the playing skills and attitudes of individuals. That
includes setting training times, taking training, choosing players for positions, grading
players (in higher age groups), appointing the team captain and managing the boys on
game day.
Formally, coaches are responsible for:
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appropriate training and coaching programs for the team
appropriate skills development programs for the players
appropriate tactical game plans and strategies for matches
a team culture of encouragement and respect for Roos and opposing players
a duty of care for players and their health and safety
To take on these responsibilities, we ask that all coaches have:
 knowledge of the rules, and the tactical and technical aspects, of the game (all
coaches should have completed a SmartRugby safety seminar within the last two
seasons and, above UXs, have an ARU Level 1 Coaching accreditation and/or a
Foundation Certificate),
 enthusiasm for working with young children and the inter-personal skills to create
a fun and supportive environment for players and parents, and
 high standards of sportsmanship and integrity and the desire to make these a
part of the team culture.
2
Team managers
Team managers take on or organise most supporting tasks so that the coach can focus
on the players and their development.
Managers assist with team lists and registrations, and communication between the Roos
Club, the boys and their families – all to make sure the teams are well supported and
properly registered for the competitions. They assist on two levels:
1. Team-level administration and communication – keeping team lists, player and
parent contact details, checking team availability, making sure ensure all players
know when and where games are to be played, organising team BBQs and
rosters for the club BBQ, canteen and other parent roles. As well, they can be
involved in discussions between coaches and parents on particular playing or
behaviour issues.
2. Club-level communication – being a link between the Roos club and players and
parents, so that they are aware and are involved in the Roos club activities. For
example, the Roos are Celebrating 50 Years of rugby in 2012. There will be a
number of social functions and merchandise specifically for this anniversary.
Age managers
The age manager (usually one of the team coaches or managers) is the single point of
Club contact for all parents, coaches and managers within an age group. They usually
field enquiries from new players, update the Club on happenings in the age group, and
ensure age groups know of round cancellations, BBQ duties, club events etc.
Age managers also represent the age group at Committee meetings if the age group is
not otherwise represented there. They keep the Committee informed of any issues that
may affect the players’ enjoyment of their rugby experience, and keep the teams
informed of Committee decisions that may affect them.
Other parent roles for the team
There are many things to do for your team to enjoy their season of rugby with the Roos.
Getting sideline parents involved eases the workload.
Most importantly, all teams from the U10s up must have an assistant referee (linesman)
and a ground marshall at all games (both home and away). Not having a linesman
means losing a competition point. Not having a Ground Marshall means a forfeit (losing
potentially 4 competition points).
Informal roles that are needed include assisting with training, and on game days
providing ice packs, helping to run out the drinks, the traditional oranges or more modern
refreshments, looking after the team kit (and balls) while the coach’s eyes are on the
game etc etc.
3
Roos committee
The Roos committee is a group of Roos parents who have volunteered to take on
specific jobs that need to be done, or to represent their age group. The roles include
liaising with the Sydney Junior Rugby Union (who organise the competitions), working
with Council on field and clubhouse issues, making sure the canteen is running
smoothly, making sure that all teams have appropriate playing gear etc.
Meetings are open to all parents and are held on the first Wednesday of each month.
The Committee deals with rugby and team matters first, so that those who do not want to
stay for the more administrative issues do not have to. If you are interested in helping on
the committee, please don’t hesitate to talk with your age group manager or any other
committee member.
Important dates for 2012
Before Round 1
Team nominations
Forms have been distributed to Age Managers for completion by all teams. (Form 8 for
each age group – Team Lists and Non-Transferable Players). These must be returned to
the minis and juniors coordinators by 28 February, so that they can be returned to SJRU
by 1 March. Points to note include:

If there is more than one team in an age group, it is a Roos convention to name
teams Blue, Red and White.

In age groups with more than one team, 15 players (U10 and 11, 12 players)
must be nominated for each team who cannot then play “down”.

Age Dispensation must be obtained for any player to play down an age group.
Limited to a maximum of four players in each age group.

Obtain any necessary approval for transferring players. Each age group must not
register more than two imports from another club (released players are not
considered to be imports). No more than two transferring Representative players
can be registered, even with the approval of the releasing club.
Trial games
Trial games are the responsibility of coaches to organise, making sure that opponents
are of a suitable standard for their teams. However, in 2012 the Club has arranged the
following trial games on a club basis:
25 March vs Ourimbah on the central coast (1 hour’s drive)
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1 April vs Newport at Keirle Park
Through the season
20-22 April 2012
Round 1 of the Competition.
19 May 2012
All teams must have a qualified ‘Assistant Referee’ – a qualifying
course is to be held at the Roos Clubhouse on Monday 23 April 2012.
25 May 2012
2012 Roos 50th Anniversary lunch
31 May 2012
All coaches must have Smartrugby qualification – qualifying courses
at the Roos Clubhouse on 1 and 8 March 2012, 6.00 – 9.00pm.
17-19 August
Semi finals
24-26 August
Preliminary finals
31 Aug – 2 Sep
Grand finals
Coach and manager responsibilities
There are a number of things that must be organised each week and through the season
to ensure teams have a smooth and enjoyable season. As noted above, these things
may be shared between coaches, managers and other parents, but they must be done
and it is the coach and manager’s role to ensure that they are.
Policies and rules
Competition rules
Coaches and managers should be familiar with the 2012
Competition Rules and the attachments issued by SJRU. A copy
can be obtained from the SJRU website at
http://juniors.rugbynet.com.au/default.asp?type=library.
Working with
children
As a volunteer organization, the Roos Club is responsible for
meeting the requirements of the Working With Children Check,
which extends to volunteer coaches and managers. Each coach
and manager has to sign the attached declaration stating they
are not prohibited from working with children. The completed
declaration should be scanned and emailed to
[email protected].
Player and
supporter conduct
Although appropriate conduct is a team responsibility, coaches
and managers will be held accountable for their players and
supporters complying with the very reasonable Roos and
NSWJRU Codes of Conduct, copies of which are attached.
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In addition, each team’s ground marshall has the responsibility
of reporting…
In brief, the conduct expected is to:

If there is a breach (what happens):

Other ARU policies
Coaches and managers should also be familiar with the ARU
policies on parent and player behaviour, illicit drugs and alcohol,
child protection, harassment, safety and injuries, insurance etc:
www2.rugby.com.au/tryrugby/Administration/PolicyRegister.aspx
Communication
Keep the players and parents informed. Parents need to know not only when and
where the games are, but who is required when for the rostered roles, and what team
and club events are on the horizon.
SMS and emails
Set up both a group SMS and email to send last minute
messages such as training cancellations or last minute changes
to games or other events. Otherwise, a weekly email on team
matters is what parents look out for.
Facebook
Some teams have set up team pages on Facebook. At this
stage, the Roos does not itself have a page. A Facebook page
is the responsibility of the team’s management, and all policies
on child protection and harassment apply.
Communication with
the Club
Coaches and managers are encouraged to contact the relevant
members of the committee whenever they need to. Often a
quick call will do the trick. However, for matters that might affect
other teams in the age group, or that are more serious, it is best
to use email with a copy to your age manager so that the matter
can be resolved quickly for all concerned.
Communication with
The SJRU, who run the competition, will only correspond with
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SJRU
three people nominated from each Club. The Roos have
nominated the President, Secretary and Junior Coordinator as
these contacts. If you have any reason to raise or respond to an
issue with the SJRU, please call or email one of these three
contacts.
Game and player details (Buddha)
Team lists and draw
on “Buddha”
At the beginning of the season, the club registrar will send team
managers their own user name and password for the Buddha
website: http://www.sjru.com.au/buddha/. (Please email
[email protected] if you do not have one.)
All games and results are posted on the SJRU Buddha website.
All parents can access the website with user name “results” and
password “manager”, but you cannot enter information with this
log-in.
Before the first game, go to the Buddha website, print out your
team’s detailed listing and check that they are correct,
particularly email addresses as this is the main means of
communication by the Club. Any amendments required, please
notify [email protected].
Buddha is a little bit quirky, as these sites go, but you quickly get
used to it. A copy of short manual for using it is attached, and is
also available in the SJRU Resource Library at
http://juniors.rugbynet.com.au/default.asp?type=library. Do not
ask why it is called ‘Buddha’.
Weekly teams
Parents should notify the team well in advance of any absences
from games or games, but they don’t always do so. Managers
should confirm who is available for each round, confer with the
coach about any absentees and how to fill their positions, and
‘recruit’ players from lower grades or age groups if necessary
(subject to the playing rules).
Weekly player signon sheet and results
Each week you must print out a ‘sign-on’ sheet from the SJRU
Buddha system. Players sign on before the game. Managers
keep score through the game, and the ref, linesmen and
managers from both teams sign off the result at the end.
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Note that if there is not a full team on one side on the day, it is
competition rules that the other side lends enough players so
that the teams have even numbers.
After the game, the manager enters the results on the Buddha
system, and emails or faxes the result sheet to the SJRU
(details are on the sheet).
End-of-season and
Representative
photo sheets
The Buddha system should hold a current photo for all players
(??In the U10s above only?) View the Buddha Photo ID Sheet
for your team and check that there is a photo for each player. If
needed, forward a photo of no more than 250KB to
[email protected] . Photo IDs are not required until
the State Championships (for representative players) and the
Finals Series for qualifying teams.
Team playing and training gear
Training kit
Each team will be issued with a team kit, including roos jerseys,
game and practice balls, ground marshall’s vest etc. All items
must be returned to the Club at the end of the season.
Team jerseys
Before the season starts, the manager should notify the Club of
the number and sizes of jerseys needed. These are lent to
players for the season. The manager should have players sign a
list of numbers to indicate who has what number jersey, so that
the can be chased up if needed at the end of the year. It is best
to collect the jerseys at the last game, as it is otherwise next to
impossible to get them all in. Please wash them and return them
to the gear steward in the week following the last game.
Before and on game day
Roster parents
Roster parents to be touch judge and ground marshall for all
games.
Roster parents for ground set up, BBQ, canteen duty, oranges,
ice packs etc. (All teams should provide 2 parents for the hour
before their games at Keirle Park).
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Referee check
For home games, check the Sydney North Referees website to
ensure that you have been allocated a referee:
www.sydneynorthreferees.rugbynet.com.au. If not, contact the
Roos’ Referee Liaison (Name: Mobile Ph: )
Ground set up (and
take down)
The first team using a Keirle Park field must set it up, and the
last team must clear the field and leave the dressing sheds in a
tidy state.
The corner flags, side-line ropes, goalpost pads and cones or
witches hats are in the dressing sheds, for which managers and
coaches have keys.
The Juniors Coordinator will send an email to managers
confirming which teams are on first and last.
Usually, KP Field 2 should be marked our for U10 and U11
games (smaller fields), with KP Field 1 used for U12 -16 games.
Sign on sheets
Print out the sign on sheet from Buddha and carry out the sign
on procedure (See rule 4.16). Keep score during the game and
note any send-off/sin-bins. Have the sheet signed as required
after the game.
Results
Enter results on Buddha (“Update Signon Sheet”).
Maintain a record of yellow and red cards.
Keep any other records your team may want (best and fairest
points, scorers, etc)
Send a short match report by email to
[email protected] for inclusion in Roos Weekly
RoundUp, mentioning the outstanding plays, players, tries,
tackles or improvers etc for the week.
Reported players
Some serious offences will be reported by the referee to the
SJRU judiciary. If there has been a report, the manager should
check the procedures involved and immediately inform the
President or Secretary immediately after the game.
If there is a judiciary hearing, a player must be accompanied by
a coach or manager or other suitable adult member of the team
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group or a member of the Committee.
Yellow and red cards are accumulated against the individual
team and the Club, with possible penalties including the loss of
Competition points and the suspension of a player.
Club and team functions/photos
Coaches and managers will want to attend relevant club functions through the year, and
encourage and organise their teams to do likewise. These include:
Presentation events
Teams typically have an end of season function to thank players
and supporters. The Club has its presentation on a Sunday
soon after the end of season, to present team and player
trophies and to celebrate the season as a whole.
Club social events
There are usually one and sometimes two functions through the
year for all teams to come to Keirle Park and enjoy a BBQ and
beverages together. In 2012, the 50th anniversary lunch on 25
May at Manly Pacific will be a special additional event.
Team social events
Teams like to get together once or twice a year for a picnic,
dinner or BBQ. Doing so early in the season makes sure there
is strong camaraderie and culture for the rest of the year.
Team photos
The club arranges a professional photographer once a year for
each team
Keirle Park and the Roos Clubhouse
Keirle Park fields and training
Our fields are terrific rugby fields, with good drainage and grass coverage. Treated well,
they should stay that way for the season. On training nights, use all of Keirle Park’s
space as much as possible, including parts that are outside the playing field lines. In
particular, please avoid training in the area directly in front of the Clubhouse.
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See the game day responsibilities above for setting up and taking down the fields on
game day.
Roos Clubhouse
The Clubhouse is a Council facility, which was largely funded by the Roos. The Club has
specific times when it is available exclusively for Roos-related activities – i.e. Saturdays
and Sundays, and Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings through the rugby season
on.
During these times the Clubhouse is available for teams to organise team events. There
is an excellent TV screen, and the Club encourages someone in each age group to have
a person holding a ‘responsible service of alcohol’ ticket.
For access, please contact the President or clubhouse manager. Access is conditional
on the Clubhouse being left in the state in which it was found, or better.
Rugby boots are not to be worn inside the Clubhouse.
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Roos committee contacts
Note that there are volunteer positions available. 
Committee
Ctte President
Stew Davies (8s)
0419 887 501
[email protected]
Ctte Junior Coord
Phil Brand (16s)
0421 612 248
[email protected]
Ctte Secretary
Josh Dowse (13s)
0400 912 612
[email protected]
Ctte Registrar
Jeff Roberts (10s)
0411 423 274
[email protected]
Tony O’Connor (15s)
0408 214 030
[email protected]
Ctte Junior Gear
Hazel Jolley (13s)
0423 291 236
[email protected]
Ctte Minis Gear
Sarah Bedingfield (7s)
0412 638 903
[email protected]
Ctte 9s
Stacey Robinson
0408 205 705
[email protected]
Ctte 10s
Blake Thompson (10s)
0438 873 992
[email protected]
Ctte 12s
Mark Twidell (12s)
0410 566 065
[email protected]
Ctte 14s
Murray Jonas (14s)
0419 625 240
[email protected]
Ctte Treasurer
Ctte Canteen
Ctte Minis Coord
Ctte Clubhouse
Ctte 11s
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Attachments
1.
SJRU 2012 Calendar
2.
Buddha managers/coaches Manual.
3.
Roos Expectations of Behaviour
4.
NSWJRU Codes of Conduct.
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