Pre-Season

Whether it's your first time managing a team or you're returning from a previous season, use this helpful checklist to make sure you don't miss a step in getting your team ready for the season:

1. Send an email out to your players and make sure you have enough interest. You can reach out to us if you need additional players. Email Lynn.Clementi.IWSL@gmail.com to see if there are any free agents in your area and division looking for a team.
2. Attend any Q&A or Pre-Season meetings that are scheduled. 
3. Register your team. You can pay the team registration fee at the time of registration or log back in later to pay the balance. Be sure to pay by the deadline to avoid being removed from the league.
4. Invite your players to join the roster. Log into your dashboard and click on Manage or Add Players near your team's name. Then click on either Copy or Invite on the next page. You can copy players from a previous season (be sure to click INVITE at the end of the form), or you can simply send an invitation to join the team by entering their email address. (You also have the option to add players one by one, but please only do this if you are certain the player has never played with the IWSL before). PRO TIP: It helps to invite a few "subs" to join the roster in case you're coming up short on players for one of your games. These subs can simply get their pass and either play for free or pay you per game when you need them.
5. Let your players know there is a deadline for registering and paying for their player pass, uploading a headshot to their profile, and sending proof of their age to the league. Passes will only be created once all of your players complete these steps. You will be able to see the status of your player invitations on your Manage or Add Players page by clicking where it says Invite and selecting Pending Player Invites. If you need to uninvite someone from your team, this is where you will find the option to delete a pending invitation. This is also where you can resend invitations to players if needed.
6. You will need a home field. Pick a location that is central for your players. You will be playing approximately half of your games at this location. You are responsible for covering the field rental costs. To book a field, find out who manages the rentals (often a park district, school, or private facility) and find out if they generally have availability during the time your league will be playing. 
7. Confirm your Home Games. You will get a draft of the schedule one month before the league starts. Once it's released, you have 7 days to reach out to the facility and confirm your home games with them. If there is a schedule conflict, you'll be able to report it back to us and we can adjust the final schedule accordingly. Once the final schedule is released, we will not assist in any reschedules if there is a conflict with your field. You'll need to work directly with your opponent and report those changes to the league and referee assignor at least a week in advance.
8. Purchase kits/jerseys. If it's your first season playing together or you have new players on your team, allow enough time to collect sizes and place an order with your favorite vendor. All jerseys must have a number on the back. Report your home and away colors to the league.
9. Do your budget and collect fees from your players to cover the expenses. We recommend doing this before the season begins.
   1. Team Expenses Calculator:
      1. Home Field Rental Fees (you may need to wait until you have the final schedule to get the final amount)
      2. Team Registration Fee $300
      3. Referee Fees (Paid in cash at the field at each game) $40 per team for First and Over-30 Divisions. $90 per team for U23 and Major Divisions. Be sure to check your league's details to confirm the number of games in your season.
      4. Kits/Jerseys (This may not be an expense every season. But don't forget about it if it's your first season)
      5. A good game ball (The home team must provide the game ball. Build it into your budget so you can get at least one good one)
         Total these things up and divide it by the number of players on your roster and collect. Be sure to keep a list of who has paid, especially if you are accepting multiple forms of payment (cash, Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, etc.)
   2. Player Costs
      1. $22 per player pass
      2. New players being added to the team may need to purchase a jersey to match the rest of the team.
10. Once all of the players have completed registration, reach out to the ISSA to pick up your team's passes or have them delivered

Weekly Game Checklist

1. Do a roster check 6 days in advance to see who's coming to the game. You can do this via Email, WhatsApp, Text, or Using the attendance feature in the IWSL schedule. If you are short on players, you have time to pull from your sub list. If you need to forfeit or reschedule your game, contact the league, referee assignor, and opponent right away.
2. Contact the other team by Wednesday before the game to confirm the field location and jersey color to make sure there are no conflicts. You will receive a contact list for all the team managers before the season begins.
3. Print out your roster and have it filled out before you get to the field.
4. Have cash ready for the official(s).
5. Bring your player passes to the game.
6. If you are the home team, make sure the field is set up properly with corner flags, clear lines, and nets on the goals.
7. If you are the home team, bring a game ball and a couple backup game balls.

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION:

Referee Assignor: Christina Nelson, christina.nelson05@hotmail.com

League Scheduling and Registration Contact: Lynn Clementi, Lynn.Clementi.IWSL@gmail.com

League Administrator: Karen O'Dowd, Karen.Odowd.IWSL@gmail.com