Thank you for managing your child’s soccer team for Minneapolis United! This club wouldn’t exist without the many excellent, committed volunteers just like you. Since 2002, we’ve grown from just 7 competitive teams to over 60 teams per year. Because of this outstanding growth, the MU Board of Directors and the Competitive Committee rely on team managers to create a smooth process for the teams and individual families.
As a manager you are the ‘face’ of MU for parents on your team. You serve as a crucial link between families and coaches. When a child first starts playing competitive soccer, the parents often have no idea of all that’s involved (Where is our game? What time? How do we get there?). You can do a lot at the beginning of the season to make it easier for them, and thus, easier for you in the long run. Here are some guidelines.
FIRST OF ALL:
Do this as early in the year as possible. Bring a calculator and a calendar to the meeting and ask everyone to bring their family calendar. At this meeting you will:
Helpful tips for after the meeting:
Have a well-stocked First-aid Kit (sanitizing wash, ace wraps, adhesive bandages and ice packs).
Each home team must supply the game ball of the appropriate size. You also need to supply corner flags. Contact the previous manager for their flags first otherwise go to Planet Soccer on Lyndale Ave. to get a set. MU will pay for the flags, you just need to sign for them. Each team is allowed one set.
Remind parents that it’s the coaches job to coach, and the parents job to enjoy the game. (Bring suckers for parents who have a hard time with that idea.)
Have the players thank the referees at the end of the game.
Have your players and families pick up after themselves. Empty bottles, candy wrappers, soccer balls!
At the end of the Summer Season every coach is required to fill out a a player ranking form. This is a very important tool used during the team formation meeting after tryouts. Once team managers have confirmed with Gregg Olson that an evaluation has been turned in for the team they manage the coach can be paid their last payment.
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