Match Manager Duties 2022
The purpose of a match manager is to ensure that the match/weekend is a success from the logistical perspective.
If you have been nominated or volunteered as the match manager, it is very important that you fulfil these duties on behalf of the club.
There are two main aspects to good match management.
1. Preparation
Thanks to the website and the availability system, the competitive matches do not require much preparation, as:
- the players are automatically notified when they are selected
- umpires are allocated through a separate organisation (LCF Umpires).
However, for friendly matches and weekends, the preparation is the most important part.
If you are match manager for a friendly game, you must prepare several weeks in advance.
A few weeks before the date, the Fixtures secretary will introduce you by email to the main contact of the visiting club.
It is important to proactively liaise with the visiting team so that the following points are crystal clear:-
Some of those preparation tasks are:
- Confirm arrival logistics and timing of matches;
- The format of both the Saturday and Sunday games;
- Confirm Cricket clothing and match ball colour;
- Confirm Catering plans for both days;
- Information (such as planned format, clothing, start time, etc.) shared with the home team and the assigned umpires;
Ensure the Wendy has required catering equipment, score-book, water bottles and the beer fridge is fully loaded.
If a curry is to be ordered, ensure liaison with the New Dehli restaurant no later than the Friday before to agree the order and collection time.
It is not open on Sunday but sometime special arrangements can be made – tel: 26 89 75 11
2. Execution
On the day of a home game, the match manager's main task is not to actually do all the logistical work, but to make sure that all the players contribute in some way or another to setting things up.
Some of the tasks on the day are:
- boundary rope
- chairs and benches
- sight screens (if being used)
- tea tables
- fill the urn
- stumps and bails
- Collection of any match fees
NB: all this has to be put away after, so don't let the players slope off after the game without contributing in some way to the clear up effort.
In general, as match manager, it is difficult to complete all these duties and also play. Often it is best not to play on the Saturday but Sunday’s duties are easier and can be combined with playing.
It is customary to present an OCC cap to either the best visiting player from the weekend or the captain as a gesture in the final thank you speeches.
It is also good to take a few photos and to arrange for someone to write a match report and send it promptly to the webmaster.
3. COVID
In recent years, meeting the requirements of the COVID guidelines has played a huge role in the organisation of cricket. This year, it is widely expected that no restrictions will be in place. However, in the event that restrictions are re-introduced, to ensure that cricket can continue to take place, one of the most important things will be that any restrictions are applied and followed. All players and non-players involved in a match/event/training needs to be aware of the requirements and that every effort is made to ensure the requirements are met. It is especially important to ensure that any visiting teams are aware of what is expected of them whilst they are in the country and at the ground. It is everyone’s duty to ensure this but the match manager needs to ensure people are aware of their responsibilities and calls out any infractions.
When travelling away, the match manager needs to ensure that the team is aware of the requirements upon them and, if travelling with the team, call out any infractions.