Organizing an away game: a checklist for the team manager

A ninety-minute drive, three cars, nine players, and a bag of bibs someone needs to pick up from home — an away game comes with its own logistical puzzle that has nothing to do with tactics. Solve that puzzle a week ahead, and you'll stand relaxed on the sideline Saturday instead of taking a call from a player who's lost.

One week before the match

• Check attendance: who is coming?
• Arrange transport: who is driving, or is public transport available?
• Check the location: parking, changing rooms, accessibility.
• Confirm match details with the opponent.
• Make sure the match form is fully completed.

The day before the match

• Send a reminder to all players with time, location, and instructions.
• Check that equipment is complete: balls, bibs, first aid kit.
• Make sure player passes are available.
• Assign a driver for equipment if it's transported separately.

On match day

Arrive on time to allow room for a warm-up. Check in with the home club, hand in the match form, and make sure everyone knows where the changing rooms are. Stay available for logistical questions during the match — and make sure the return journey is arranged too.

A ninety-minute away trip: what it looks like in practice

For an away match a ninety-minute drive away, a team manager split nine players across three cars, departing from a fixed meeting point (the sports hall, not everyone's own house) at 11:30am for a 2pm kickoff. He sent drivers a message Saturday morning with exact addresses in Google Maps, checked at 11:15 that everyone was present, and kept a backup driver on standby in case a car dropped out. Result: all three cars arrived within five minutes of each other, well in time for the 1:15pm warm-up.

With good preparation, players and coach can fully focus on the game. That's your contribution to the result — even if you're not on the field.