Delegates’ & Captains’ Guides

Below, you will find information on how to perform your duties as a home team delegate for the women’s and the men’s teams.

Please scroll to the bottom of the page to find the Captains’ Guide.

ABBSA (Men’s)

Before the game:                       

• Be there on time, ideally an hour before the (home) match. 45 minutes before is obligatory!
• Wear white armband at home matches (“tricolore” for away games) for identification. The bands are to be found in each team’s kitbag.
• Bring the medical kit to the bench and ensure (at least 3) match balls are pumped.
• You need to have the team’s tablet code. Enter the tablet and select the match date and game.
• Ensure the tablet is duly filled (delegate, players, numbers, captain). You should get a message if you seek to align a non-eligible player (suspended, too young in case of veterans). Pay attention in case of players with same names.
• Collect players’ IDs and arrange the cards in the order of their names on the tablet.
• Be ready to hand the tablet to the opposition 30 minutes before kick-off time.
• Receive the referee and accompany him to his changing room.
• Collect the tablet from the opposition and hand it to the referee with the ordered ID cards at least 15 minutes before kick-off time.
• Fetch the water from the bar, hand two bottles to the opposition and bring the rest to the bench.

During the game:

• Remain in the neutral zone around your bench. Ensure that a match ball is always close by in event of ball/balls being kicked away from the pitch and into trees/field etc.
• Ask other bystanders to search match balls kicked away (delegué MUST stay pitchside).

At halftime:

• Be ready to bring a small (not opened) water bottle to the referee.

After the game:

• Ensure that the medical kit and the match balls are brought back (and locked away)
• Check the result and the cards entered by the referee.
• Unused subs are better taken off (by using the blank space).
• Sign off the game and result on the tablet by entering the code.
• Pay the referee – amount is in the range of 25 to 40 EUR, depending on the referee’s transport allowance. (Ask your captain for the money, as the club transfers advances to them).
• Go to the next available wi-fi (in Nossegem: in the bar) and transmit the match sheet to ABSSA. Take note of the code as proof of transmission.

Stay composed and seek to calm down your team in case of trouble. Seek to make the referee feel comfortable, e.g. ask him before, during (at half-time) and after the game if he has everything needed.

Union Belge (Women’s)

What does the déléguée do?

• Welcome the referee to the club
• Assist referee with logistical tasks before/during /after match
• Also helps the coach with practical matters

Who can be déléguée?

• Needs to be 18 years old
• Needs to be registered with Union Belge and present valid ID card
• For away game: no déléguée needed but recommended to have one to assist the coach, if none: a substitute can help
• For home games a déléguée is obligatory, no déléguée = forfeit. The déléguée cannot be a player that is on the game sheet
• A coach can be added as déléguée on the match sheets, but this is not recommended and should be used only as a last resort.

Before the game

• Start computer (sometimes this takes time)
• Put on armband, white (home game) or Belgian tricolor (away). Check with the captains where they store the armbands. Some teams keep them with the kits, others in the Med Kit.
• Ask captain for money to pay the referee and for home games water and sandwiches
• Collect ID cards and jersey numbers
• Order cards by jersey number of starters and substitutes(same order as entered in system)
• Welcome referee, ensure s/he gets a locker room (keys are with the groundsman). Make sure everything is ok. Ask if he/she wants to drink something (before game, at half time & after the game).
• Ensure med kit is taken to pitch (it is in the black bag)
• Ensure three match balls are ready (correctly pumped). If not, pump them
• Supply match balls to referee for check
• Supply warm up balls to opposition (if they ask) and own team
• Recover warm up balls from opposition and own team after warm up
• Read the names of the players and check id cards for referee
• Sometimes the referee will ask to see the match sheet in that case the computer has to be brought with the correct page to the pitch (as there is no longer an internet connection). If the referee asks for a printed copy this is not possible as we have no printer
• Collect six big bottles of water. Distribute one for referee (normally given at half time) three for own team and two for opposition

Computer

• Start computer (you will receive username and password from the captains)
• Go to player tab; input players with jersey number and indicate captain and subs
• Go to staff tab and indicate déléguée (déléguée au terrain) + coach
• Go to verification tab, check the match sheet and click on send at the bottom
• Ensure opposition can update match sheet on computer

During the game

• Keep the key of the referee (if (s)he asks you to) and our team’s locker room
• Remain available to assist referee at all times on the side of the pitch
• Ensure only players standing in neutral zone are players coach and déléguée
• Ask supporters to stay behind the fence and players to wear a bib or shirt in another colour
• Keep spare match ball close by
• If match ball is kicked out, provide a new one and ask a substitute or supporter to collect the ball
• Write the important action down for the match report
• Ensure referee gets drink (one water bottle at half time)

After the game

• Count the balls and, if any are missing, ensure that they are collected
• Ensure referee completes match sheet correctly: score, subs, yellow and red cards
• Pay referee; make sure you have the correct amount as usually they do not have change
• Give ID cards back to players
• Ensure computer is correctly turned off (otherwise it takes ages to start)

For a more comprehensive guide on the duties of captains and delegates, please refer to the document below.