Team Managers: The People Who Make Race Days Work

Parent Guide Series - February 2026

Behind every successful swimming meet is a team of volunteers making sure swimmers are safe, supported and exactly where they need to be.

At Bluefins, that role is led by our Team Managers.

From first sign-in to the final sign-out, Team Managers are responsible for swimmer welfare, organisation and safeguarding at competitions. Without them, licensed racing simply cannot happen.

This guide explains what the Team Manager role involves, how the pathway works from TM1 to TM2 and why it plays such a vital part in how Bluefins functions on race day.

What Does a Team Manager Do?

A Team Manager is the link between swimmers, coaches, parents and meet organisers.

Their role is not technical coaching. Instead, they focus on:

• Swimmer safety and safeguarding

• Organisation and supervision during meets

• Communication and calm structure in a busy environment

• Making sure swimmers are signed in, prepared, supported and signed out correctly

From a swimmer’s point of view, Team Managers are the steady presence who help races run smoothly. From a club point of view, they are essential to meeting safeguarding, welfare and supervision requirements.

The Team Manager Pathway: TM1 to TM2

TM1 — Entry Level Team Manager

TM1 is the starting point for becoming a Team Manager and is where most volunteers begin.

Once TM1 training, DBS and safeguarding are complete, volunteers can:

• Support swimmers at meets under the guidance of a Lead Team Manager

• Help with sign-in and sign-out procedures

• Support swimmers getting to warm-ups, marshalling and races

• Monitor swimmer whereabouts and welfare throughout the session

• Help maintain supervision ratios and safeguarding standards

TM1 Team Managers are hands-on and visible throughout the day. They are often the first point of reassurance for younger or newer swimmers racing for the club.

TM2 — Lead and Experienced Team Manager

TM2 is for experienced Team Managers who are ready to take on greater responsibility.

At this level, a Team Manager may act as Lead TM for a meet. This includes:

• Overall responsibility for swimmer welfare and supervision

• Managing medical information and emergency contacts

• Liaising directly with coaches and meet organisers

• Coordinating TM teams and maintaining supervision ratios

• Managing withdrawals, reinstatements and meet administration

• Handling safeguarding concerns and following correct escalation procedures

TM2 Team Managers are usually selected for higher-level meets such as Counties, Regionals, Nationals and Arena League fixtures due to the pace and complexity involved.

Why Team Managers Matter So Much

Swimming meets are long, noisy and fast-moving. Swimmers move between poolside, marshalling, changing rooms and holding areas throughout the day.

Team Managers ensure:

• Every swimmer is accounted for at all times

• Safeguarding rules are followed consistently

• Parents can step back knowing their child is supported

• Coaches can focus on performance and preparation

• Meets run efficiently without unnecessary stress

In short, Team Managers allow the entire system to function properly.

Without trained Team Managers, swimmers cannot compete.

Safeguarding and Welfare — The Non-Negotiables

At Bluefins, safeguarding is central to the Team Manager role.

Team Managers:

• Follow Swim England’s Wavepower safeguarding framework

• Ensure correct supervision ratios are maintained

• Manage sign-in and sign-out procedures for every swimmer

• Act immediately on any welfare or safeguarding concern

• Protect both swimmers and volunteers by following clear boundaries

This structure protects everyone involved and ensures parents, swimmers and coaches have confidence in the competition environment.

Supporting Swimmers Beyond the Racing

A large part of the role is human rather than administrative.

Team Managers:

• Support nervous or inexperienced swimmers

• Help manage long days with food, hydration and rest

• Keep swimmers calm and organised between races

• Encourage positive team behaviour and club identity

For many swimmers, especially younger ones, Team Managers play a huge role in making racing enjoyable rather than overwhelming.

How Team Managers Help the Club Thrive

From a club perspective, Team Managers:

• Enable swimmers to attend licensed meets

• Support progression through County, Regional and National pathways

• Protect the club’s safeguarding standards and reputation

• Build a strong volunteer culture within Bluefins

• Allow the coaching team to operate effectively on race day

They are a cornerstone of a well-run swimming programme.

Want to Get Involved?

If you enjoy being part of the action, supporting young athletes and contributing directly to the club’s success, becoming a Team Manager is one of the most impactful volunteer roles at Bluefins.

You don’t need technical knowledge or swimming experience. Training, guidance and support are provided every step of the way.

Contact Kat our Team Manager coordinator to get started.

To learn more about Team Manager training and the wider Swim England framework, visit the Swim England Team Manager information page: https://www.southeastswimming.org/volunteers/team-managers/

If you’d like to help Bluefins swimmers race safely, confidently and with pride, the Team Manager team would love to welcome you.