Team manager
handbook
Team
Manager's
Handbook
Everything you need to run your team smoothly on gameday and keep the Magpies flying.
Contact Details
Club Ethos
"Swooper" symbolises what we are striving to achieve — making Coomera Magpies the premier club of the Gold Coast.
Players and members act with integrity on and off the field, building positivity around how opposition clubs perceive us. Players hold each other accountable and discourage abuse of players, umpires and spectators.
Everyone earns the respect of fellow members. Younger players aspire to move up, senior players take pride in juniors coming through. Players and parents are proud to be Magpies.
Players know their teammates, coaches and members have their backs. Responsibilities are shared fairly — including kids refilling water bottles, setting up training and cleaning rooms after games.
The Role of the Team Manager
Your primary responsibility is maintaining open communication with all parents through social media, text and email — and ensuring the smooth running of your team on gameday.
- Gameday Awards — Distribute awards fairly across all players using the provided tracking tool. Player retention is key to the club's future success.
- Team Sheets — Submit team sheets electronically in PlayHQ prior to each game. See the PlayHQ section for full instructions.
- Team Sheets (3 copies) — 1st signed by players → umpires; 2nd unsigned → opposition; 3rd collated with opposition sheet + vote cards → committee member for storage.
- Post-Game Umpire Check — Communicate with designated umpires after every game and receive the 'all clear'.
- Score Entry — Submit scores in PlayHQ after each quarter. Double-check against both clubs' goal umpire scorecards.
PlayHQ
PlayHQ is the cloud-based platform for team sheets and score entry. Your two critical responsibilities: submit team sheets before each game, and enter scores after each quarter (Youth & U11.5 only).
How to Submit a Team Sheet
Open PlayHQ via Play AFL App
Tap ••• → scroll to playhq.com → tap 3-line menu → Log in with your registration email and password.
Navigate to Your Team
Tap your name → My Account → select the team you manage from the list.
Select the Fixture
Your fixture list displays. Tap the game you want. Scroll down and confirm "No players allocated to line-up".
Add Players to Line-Up
Tap Manage → + Select Team. Add players using the + next to each name. Use "Select line-up from previous round" to speed things up. Max 25 players; max 3 emergency players.
Assign Captains
Tap "Edit Captains", use the dropdown to assign Captain / Vice Captain / Deputy VC. Tap "Save Captains" when done.
Add Non-Team Players (if needed)
Under Non-Team Players → + Select Player. Search by surname to find players from other teams registered with the club.
Confirm Coaching Staff
Tap Next to review coaches. Coaches are pre-assigned by PlayHQ admins — use +/- only if corrections are needed.
Add Volunteers
Enter first and last name for: Runner · Goal Umpire · Umpire Escort (Ground Marshall). Tap Save.
Download & Print Team Sheet
Scroll to top → tap "Download Team Sheet" → open in Adobe Acrobat → check everything → print 3 copies ready for gameday.
Enter Scores After the Game
HOME team enters scores (either manager can do it). Tap Edit in Period Scores → enter goals & behinds per quarter → tap Update Changes. Verify against both clubs' scorecards. Tip: photograph both scorecards at the end of the game.
Canva
Canva is used to create and share your weekly gameday and volunteer graphic on your team's Facebook group. Use the pre-created template in your age-group folder — this is a requirement.
Log In
Go to canva.com → Log In → Continue with email → enter marketingcoomeramagpiesafc@gmail.com and password Magpies2022*.
Open Your Folder
Click Projects → Folders → select your age group folder. All future work must stay within this folder.
Duplicate the Template
Double-click the template to open it, then click Duplicate. Always work on the duplicate — never edit the original.
Update the Details
Update: Opposition team, Date, Location, Game time, and volunteer allocations. Duplicate each week to maintain a weekly history in your folder.
Download & Share
Click Share → Download. Select only the current page from the "Select Page" dropdown. Upload to your team Facebook group with a short message acknowledging volunteers.
Voting
Best player votes are taken after each youth game and contribute to the Best & Fairest count at season's end. Distribute and collect vote envelopes each game.
Timekeeping & Scoreboard
A timekeeper is required for each home game. Instructions are located in the timekeeper area at the ground. The timekeeper is also responsible for updating the electronic scoreboard.
Red Card — Player off for remainder of match. Can be replaced after 15 min elapsed time (excl. breaks).
Stretcher — Player may not return for 20 min elapsed time (excl. breaks).
Runners
Goal Umpire & Ground Marshall
Goal Umpire
Each team must supply a goal umpire. Must wear a Light Blue Bib with AFLQ logo and carry a scorecard, pen/pencil and flags.
Ground Marshall
Home clubs supply a Ground Marshall. Must wear a Fluorescent Green Bib with AFLQ logo and enclosed footwear.
Ground Checklist
Prior to the first game of the day, a Ground Checklist must be completed with BOTH home and away teams to confirm the ground is safe. This can take significant time — plan ahead.
Full checklist: AFL Matchday Checklist (Marsh) — also pinned in the Coaches & Team Managers Facebook group.
- Team sheet submitted in PlayHQ before game
- 3 printed copies of team sheet ready (Youth teams)
- 1st copy signed by players → given to umpires
- 2nd copy swapped with opposition team
- Ground Checklist completed with both teams
- Timekeeper confirmed and briefed
- Goal Umpire confirmed — bib, scorecard and flags
- Runner confirmed — 14+ years old, correct attire
- Ground Marshall confirmed — 18+ years old, green bib
- First Aid Officer and stretcher available
- Vote envelopes distributed to correct voters
- Post-game: scores entered in PlayHQ (home team)
- Post-game: vote envelopes sealed and given to committee
- Post-game: team sheets + vote cards submitted to committee
- Post-game: umpire 'all clear' received
Ground Setup
A colour-coded cone system is used for field setup. Coloured dots on the ground indicate cone placement for your required field size. Goals and centre locations are marked as a dot within a small circle.
Equipment is stored separately from training gear. See a committee member for access. Ensure adequate parent volunteers are available, especially when field sizes need to be reset between games.
Social Media
Facebook Groups
Facebook groups exist for each age group and are the recommended primary channel. Team managers and coaches are also invited to the dedicated Coomera Coaches & Team Managers private group — the main channel between committee and team management.
Canva Account Login
Use the club's shared Canva account to create gameday and volunteer graphics for your team's Facebook group.
Password: Magpies2022*
Each age group has an assigned folder. Always work within your folder and duplicate templates before editing.