Coaches' and Team Management Policy

Introduction

Essendon Royals is a club supported primarily by volunteers. This includes our coaching and team management staff.

The coaching  staff are responsible for teaching and developing the players fundamental skills at training and team play on game days. All coaches also understand and emphasise the fun aspect of the sport as well as the importance of teamwork, discipline, respect for others and fair competition.

Team Managers are integral to the operation of teams and work with the club to enable coaches to focus on coaching!

Assistant coaches are also important and support the team in multiple ways to help the lead coach and the kids and adult players gain a better footballing experience.

As part of being a paid coach, volunteer coach or other volunteer at the club you may be entitled to club funded education, discounts and apparel.

Working with Children Checks

All Essendon Royals officials are required by law to have a Working With Children. Club Management will work with all officials to ensure that they comply with this legislative requirement.

Club Membership

Coaches, assistant coaches and team managers are members of Essendon Royals upon registering with the federation, obtaining an FFA number and then registering with Essendon Royals as a coach or team manager. Club members have official benefits and obligations under the club constitution as well as club policies as determined by the club. Club members also have the right to vote at general meetings of the club (Annual and other) and have the right to stand for a committee position.

Coaching Support

Essendon Royals  are committed to providing the highest level of coaching support to our players as possible. Coaches are the most important part of the club as they are the leaders of their teams, they hugely influence the culture of teams and they greatly contribute and influence our players football learning, experience and development. In order to best support our coaches the club's policy includes the following coach support mechanisms.

The Coaching Panel

The club has a dedicated coaching panel who aim to support and provide direction to coaches as well as contribute to coaching education. The coaching panel is also there to drive club grading and team selection and help determine team grading.

Coaching & Team Equipment & Resources

The club endeavours to provide support and resources for its coaches, including:

• Essendon Royals branded coaching apparel including hat, jacket and polo

• Training kits including training aids, balls and shared equipment

• An Essendon Royals curriculum as well as access to an extensive coaching library materials

• Regular coaches skills session run by the club

• Participation in FFA coaching courses including grass roots courses as well as sponsor coaches for professional pathways.

• All teams will also receive a Team Management kit including first aid kit and cold packs, marshall vests, match balls (for Junior Teams) and team book (for Junior Teams)

Without the valuable contribution of all the volunteer coaches and Team Managers, the club could not operate.

Membership Fees for Coaches and other club officials

Coaches and other club officials are considered under the Essendon Royals Volunteer Discount Policy. This policy determines the club’s positions for all volunteers roles.

In general coaches’ children or their own membership fees are waived. For a full list of roles at the club considered by the discount scheme see the full detail of the policy.

Apparel

Essendon Royals provides apparel options for all club members, volunteers and officials. Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Team Managers are able to also access both club discounted apparel and apparel for purchase. The club recognises that apparel is a principle way for people in the community to identify with the club and for the club to openly display its brand. We endeavour to provide our volunteers with as much apparel as possible and with over 100 officials and volunteers this does become a significant cost to the club. The apparel allowance below is for the 2019 season.

Coaching Standards

Essendon Royals coaching standards are applied to current appointed coaches after 1 year. These standards are aimed to lift the club coaching capability at the club, align coaches with the FFA and Club Curriculum as well as work towards lifting the club’s player development and pathways to our senior teams. Coaches in appointed positions are required to attain accreditation prior to the following season. Newly appointed coaches for Senior, Senior Reserve, Youth 1st & Junior 1st teams are required to attain accreditation prior to season commencement or in season as agreed with the club.