Team Managers are the people you will see poolside at competitions, chatting to the swimmers, but aren’t coaches or officials.
In practice, the biggest part of the Team Manager’s role on competition day is making sure the swimmers are in the right place at the right time. So, sending them up to the coach in time for their warm up, and sending them to the marshalling area in time for their race.
Coaches are there to instruct swimmers in the warmup, give them tips before their race, and give feedback after; Team Managers are there in a support role. Even if you’re new to the world of competitive swimming you can be a Team Manager as you don’t need to know all the ins and outs of the rules – but you will pick up a lot very quickly being poolside!
You will probably be told that someone has lost their hat/goggles/water bottle at least once at any event (usually found in or under someone’s bag) and lightweight clothes (you will get splashed) and comfortable shoes are recommended. Shouting and cheering swimmers on is definitely encouraged, and pretty much compulsory when at team events.
Being a Team Manager is a great way to get to know a lot of the swimmers and coaches, and you’ll pick up things you won’t get in the stands. It can also save you a small fortune in spectator fees!
Team Managers – how do I become one?
There are two courses you will need to complete to become a Team Manager, both of which can be done online via Swim England. The first is on safeguarding, and the second is the Team Manager 1 course. Both courses are 3 hours long.
Swim England describe the courses as follows:
Swim England’s Safeguarding CPD is bespoke and reflects the needs of a pool environment.
The course will help you to understand:
- What child safeguarding and child protection means
- Key government legislation in relation to safeguarding and protecting children
- Swim England’s safeguarding policies and procedures
- The types, signs, and symptoms of child abuse
- How to respond to possible signs of child abuse and take appropriate action if concerns arise.
The Team Manager 1 course is aimed at those who are starting out on their volunteering journey and focuses on single-day competitions or camps where there is no overnight stay.
It covers all aquatic disciplines and will be delivered via Zoom.
Participants will be guided through the course content, be able to ask questions, and get involved with the group discussions.
The course covers:
- Essential element of team management from pre to post-event duties
- Relaying information in a concise manner and make quick decisions based upon the best interests of individuals and teams
- How Swim England’s safeguarding policy and procedures work in a team management context
- Managing athletes during competitions including promoting positive behaviour at the venue
- How to support coaches, athletes, and parents
- And how to identify hazards and risk factors that have the potential to cause harm to athletes – and the risk assessment requirements associated with the role.
In addition to the two courses, you will need to become a Swim England Member (Club Support) and need an Enhanced DBS check.
The club will meet all costs for you to attain the relevant qualifications, membership and checks.
Sign me up!
If you are up for the poolside action of being a Team Manager, please contact workforcetmbsc@gmail.com in the first instance.
We will send you the Swim England membership form to complete. Once we have you registered and you have a membership number we will need to arrange a time for you to bring documents into the office for the DBS check.
You can then check out the dates and times for the next available Team Manager 1 and Safeguarding courses here - Events & Courses (swimnorthwest.org)
Team Manager 2
For those that are already Team Manager 1 qualified we also need more Team Manager 2s. TM2s are required for overnight or overseas trips.
From Swim England:
The Team Manager 2 online course aims to further enhance the knowledge gained when completing the Team Manager 1 course – putting clubs in a better place ahead of events and competitions returning.
The Team Manager 2 courses are appropriate for all those who are working with a team or club in camps and competitions, both domestically and internationally.
You can check the next available Team Manager 2 course here Events & Courses (swimnorthwest.org). Please register for the course and drop an email to workforcetmbsc@gmail.com to let us know.
