Guide For Team Managers
Welcome to the Team Manager page! We know this role can keep you busy so we've tried to lighten the load by creating a colour coded Team Manager Checklist, and have answered some frequently asked questions. If you have any other queries, please don't hesitate to get in contact. We appreciate you stepping up to this role for your team so we are here to support you in whatever way we can.
Frequently Asked Questions
I haven't created a team yet, where do I start?
We have a page dedicated to new teams and pricing, so pop over there first.
I've just created a team, what's next?
The first step is onboarding new players and parents - before the registration closes. We know this part can be overwhelming, so our advice is to take it one step at a time! We have a checklist below - feel free to forward this page at your request.
Team Manager Checklist
We've colour coded the checklist into red for "must do", amber for "recommended", and green for "optional".
Scan this QR code and join our Team Managers Whatsapp. If you want any templated texts, let us know.
Make sure all your players are registered with PlayerHQ. A link will be sent when registration opens. We'll also send the closing date so you have a deadline. Parents (not Team Managers) do the PlayerHQ registration.
Organise your team uniforms. At a minimum, all players need to purchase the Jersey+Shorts ($80), but take a look at our Club Bundle packages and other merch. Popular items are the ball and the hoodie. Whilst we prefer the Jersey+Shorts to be purchased as a set, we understand that some returning players may require just the shorts or just the jersey. In this circumstance, the jersey is $50, and shorts are $30.
You will need to collect money and email us your detailed uniform order. Money to be transferred into our Melbourne Wolves basketball club account (see below), and Uniform Order to be completed using the form below:
Uniform Order Form
We won't be able to process the team's uniforms until payment is made. The deadline for uniforms is the same date as the registration close date. Any order placed after this time may incur an extra shipping cost to your team.
Melbourne Wolves Basketball Club
BSB: 063 581
ACC: 1072 3556
Transaction name: team name+uniforms
Remind parents to download MyHoops (fixture and stats), GloryLeague (video recordings of the game), and Stack Team App (to purchase their Stadium Card for cheaper entry).
Liaise with us and parents to allocate your team to a court time for weekly training sessions.
Create a scoring roster and share with parents. We find it best to use the player name (as opposed to the parent name).
Whatsapp us a photo of your team wearing their uniforms, and let us know which player is the Team Captain. This can be any of the players, and will be listed on your team webpage. Your team webpage can be found on our website and will contain information about your team, players, and accomplishments.
In the lead up to games;
Remind parents and players what colour jersey they are wearing (BOYS: generally White, but when you play against another Melbourne Wolves team, the home team wears Blue). GIRLS: generally Pink). If your team is listed first (top) in the fixture, that signifies a Home game.
If you require a spare uniform, please contact Rachael asap for pickup location/time.
On Game Day;
Make sure you have a scorer for the game and that they have entered the present player names into the scorer's ipad 5 minutes prior to the match. Please note that parents forgetting or not being present for their allocated scoring duty often delays games, so be ready to jump in and score if a replacement scorer cannot be found. Games can't start until this is completed, and any Fill-In or Emergency player details have been added (full name, date of birth, contact email, jersey number).
Remind the players to put their belongings to one side of the scoring bench. If we are listed as the Home team, the team sits to the right (if you are standing on the court and looking at the scoring bench). Remind players to put their water bottles close to the coach as this is where they will be seated for breaks.
Remind the players to take off hoodies/additional clothing before they start warm up. Tape earrings, remove watches and any baggy undergarments.
Remind the coach to hand out their Royal Stack's Coach's Award/MVP burger voucher after each game.
A note about Grand Finals
Please note that finals are played right after the regular season. If your team has made the finals, we may ask Team Managers to help decorate the stadium and find volunteers that can help with other duties such as a sausage sizzle.
We've found that Grand Finals can be a time of increased pressure for players, parents, coaches and team managers. To help our players go in with the best mindset for finals, we encourage Team Managers to keep an eye on the team vibe. Also to be mindful of stricter referee calls. Parents in the younger age groups are sometimes shocked that their players are called for more travels, double dribbles and line-stepping in finals. Whilst it is not always enforced during a season, we ask parents to kindly sit on the opposite side of the bench in finals. Please communicate this and direct parents to do the right thing.
If your team wins or comes runner up, the basketball association will provide you with a bag of medals for you to present to your team after the game (usually on the court straight after the game). Please make sure you take a photo of your team and send it to us! We will have a social media wall at the venue for you to use as your backdrop.
FAQ
Does the club organise end-of-season team celebrations?
As a club we offer an annual All Star Event for all our players and parents to attend. Here we have shooting and slam-dunk competitions, skill challenges, friendly games, a memorabilia auction, so take the time to celebrate our team achievements. Tickets to this event are included in your club fees.
If you're organising an end-of-season celebration for your team, please consider our partner Royal Stacks Moorabbin. They offer discounted prices and exclusive benefits for all our teams.
What grade should I enter my team in?
This is a hard one to predict as every cohort varies. The good news is there are 4-5 grading games at the start of each season, so your team will be shuffled up or down the grades until they find a good fit. If you feel your team is not in their correct grade level, please notify us before the grading phase ends. Please note, if you win the A grade grand final you are required to enter A grade the following season.
What ages use a modified (lower) ring?
U8 and U9 Modified competitions are played with the rings lowered. A player can only play one season in the U9 Modified competition then they need to enter a team in the Full Height competition for their following season. If you have any players in your team that have completed one season in U9 Modified, the whole team needs to move to Full Height competition.
What if I don't have enough players for a game?
You are allowed to play with 4 players (highly advise you take two time outs per half), or you can get Fill-In or Emergency players to help. Please try your best to play all your games as we are charged a hefty forfeit fee for any missed games.
Fill-In players are players that are registered to the Melbourne Wolves but not in your team. If you have 5 players, you are permitted to have a Fill-In player for your 6th player. Fill-In players need to be in a lower grade than your team (not the same grade). Fill-In players from a lower age group in C and D grade are permitted. Fill-In players from a lower age group in A and B grade are permitted only if your team is A or B grade. Please note that a Fill-In player's points cannot exceed 14 points. You can use the same Fill-In player three times in a season. You can use multiple Fill-In players (different players).
An Emergency player is someone that is not registered to the Melbourne Wolves. If you have 4 players, you are permitted to have an Emergency player for your 5th player. You can use an Emergency player once only. You can use multiple Emergency players (different players).
Please contact Rachael for a spare uniform, making sure the spare jersey number does not clash with your current players. We kindly ask that uniforms be dropped to a residential Beaumaris parcel box immediately after the game. The parcel box is located within 5 minutes of the Tulip St Stadium. As we require the jersey straight after the game, we understand you cannot wash it. Please note we launder spare uniforms in a skin-sensitive detergent.
We recommend you collect your Emergency or Fill-In player details prior to the game as their details will need to be entered into the scorer's ipad prior to the game (full name, date of birth, contact email, jersey number).
Can a new player join midseason?
Yes. Although keep in mind the added player needs to play 7 games to qualify for the finals (byes are not included). Before joining, your new player will need to pay the playerHQ fees, and buy a uniform (please note this may take a couple of weeks so they can use a spare uniform for the interim). We can look at club fees for each individual case.
Do we need to train at the Melbourne Wolf allocated courts?
We are always open to linking up with new venues for training. If you have a venue in mind, please contact us as we will need to work together to satisfy requirements.
New venues may ask for:
- -A Certificate of Currency for public liability insurance policies (we can supply this).
- -A First Aid Certificate for one representative who will be on site (you will need to arrange this).
- -Working With Children Checks for ALL program representatives over 18 years of age (you will need to arrange this).