Manager Requirements

DHA requires all of our team managers to be properly registered and screened in accordance with USA Hockey, Mid-American District, State, and local rules and regulations.

For managers of 8U, 10U & 12U Teams:

Step 1: Register with USA Hockey as a volunteer. This is an annual registration process, but it is free.

Step 2: Register yourself through the Dayton Stealth Coach/Volunteer registration. This will ask you for your USA Hockey annual registration number, your concussion certification number, and whether or not you've completed Safe Sport, along with some other basic information. It is a free registration that must be completed annually in order for us to keep our database current.

For mangers of 14U & HS Teams:

Step 1: Register with USA Hockey as a volunteer. This is an annual registration process, but it is free.

Step 2: Go through the Mid-Am background screening process. Background screens must be completed every two (2) seasons.

Step 3: Take the USA Hockey Safe Sport Program. Safe Sport must be renewed every season by either re-taking the entire Safe Sport Program or participating in a refresher course.

Step 4: Take the NFHS Concussion Course and submit your certification number in your registration. Review the Lindsay's Law coaching resources. These components are completed every three (3) years.

Step 5: Register yourself through the Dayton Stealth Coach/Volunteer registration. This will ask you for your USA Hockey annual registration number, your concussion certification number, and whether or not you've completed Safe Sport, along with some other basic information. It is a free registration that must be completed annually in order for us to keep our database current.

Good team managers are vital for a successful season and they quickly become the right hand to the coaching staff. While specific duties may be separated slightly differently based on the personalities of the coaches and the team manager, the following list is a good place to start:

Build and maintain the team book*. This is a three ring binder that includes all of the vital documents for the team. These documents include:

• Official team roster and any supplemental rosters
• Safe Sport Certificate for each team staff member
• Concussion Certificate for each team staff member
• Background screen approval letters for each team staff member
• Team schedule for games and practices
• Team contact list with mobile phone numbers for all parents and  coaches
• Game scoresheets (blank and for the games already played)
• Directions to rinks
• Note paper

*Teams that are planning to participate in District/State/National tournament competitions will need additional information for their team books. Please contact the registrar for this information.

• Be the team communicator. It's a great idea to create a team email list and send out team updates once per week. These emails should serves as reminders for upcoming practices and games for that week. They can include directions to new rinks and details on any other team events for that week.
• Set-up and maintain the team page on the Dayton Stealth website. This will be a hub for everyone on the team where all kinds of information and fun things, like the schedule, photos, game scores, and team stats, may be posted and only the team and site administrators will have access to the page. It will also provide team email capabilities. Details will be provided to the respective managers. This is also a task that may be delegated, if you are not comfortable with working with websites.
• Coordinate team uniforms. Collect jersey size and number information from the players and submit it to the appropriate DHA representative to get the uniforms ordered. This information is vital as early as possible, so collecting it before the first practice via email is helpful. If it cannot be collected early, then be sure to gather it at the team's first practice.
• Communicate with the coach and/or manager for the teams you play each week. Regardless of whether you are home or away, it's a good idea to drop an email to the opposing team to confirm the game day, time and location.
• Serve as the buffer between the coaches and the parents, particularly right after games. Create a trusting rapport with all of the parents so they feel comfortable sharing their concerns with you and know that you will address their concerns with the coaches. Build that same trust with the coaches, so they are comfortable knowing you will listen to the parents and then let the coaches know when there are issues that need to be addressed.
• Plan and coordinate the social side of the team. This may be anything from the weekly snack schedule at younger age levels to making team dinner reservations or hotel reservations when the team is on the road. If this isn't something you are comfortable doing, it may be delegated to another responsible parent, but you should still be prepared to follow up.

Being a team manager is a lot of fun and it's very rewarding. You will build a rapport with families that will grow to strong friendships, even if your kids aren't playing on the same team in future seasons.