Team Rep Handbook

You’re the go-to for your teammates who have questions about the league.

Players may come to you first with routine questions because you are easy to reach and understand what is happening within the team and league in general. If you know the answers to their questions, wicked. If not, you can connect with your league convenor who you can reach directly, or through the Team Rep Group Chat. If the convenor doesn’t have the answer, they’ll ask Head Office. If Head Office doesn’t have the answer, they’ll probably panic and scream and wave their hands in the air erratically while running aimlessly around the office yelling “What are we gonna do?!?” then they’ll calm down and figure it out.

You are not responsible for discipline, formal complaints, roster decisions, trades, suspensions, or removals. The convenor is empowered to address minor league issues directly, while serious or ongoing concerns are escalated to Head Office.

When in doubt, pass it to the right person. You’re the Team Rep, not the league’s entire customer-service department.

Keep Comms Moving

• Join and monitor the designated Team Reps Group Chat on WhatsApp.
• Share important league updates with your team promptly. Most comms will go to everyone, but it’s still a good idea to follow up with your teammates in the team chat, especially the ones who aren’t super on top of checking their emails.
• Answer routine questions when you know the answer, but referencing CBL rules and policies when appropriate.
• Direct league questions to the convenor rather than creating a separate answer or policy.
• Let the convenor know when a question is recurring so the league can clarify it for everyone.

You’re the communication bridge, keeping everyone on the same page, even when half the team skipped straight to asking questions.

The Group Chat

The League Convenor is the primary league contact in the Team Reps Group Chat. Head Office contacts may also be in the chat, but routine questions should flow through the convenor so communication stays clear and consistent.

Keep messages respectful, relevant, and easy to follow. Share information with the players who need it, but keep private team or league discussions within the designated group chat. If we’re chatting about potential trades, for example, let’s keep that within the circle of trust so no one ends up getting their feelings hurt, y’know?

Avoid posting personal concerns, conduct reports, or sensitive player information in public or unrelated chats. Bring those concerns to the convenor directly. All players, including the extra-responsible ones with “Team Rep” beside their name, are expected to review and follow our Code of Conduct.

Help With Jerseys

Team Reps help make sure jerseys reach the right players and that any spares are accounted for.

• Assist with jersey distribution at the beginning of the season.
• Keep track of unclaimed or leftover jerseys. (The convenor will also help with this.)
• Support jersey exchanges or collection when Head Office coordinates a trade.
• Let the convenor know about missing jerseys, duplicate numbers, or assignment issues.

You do not need to personally solve inventory problems, just help keep the handoff organized and the information accurate.

Coordinate Subs Within the Rules

Team Reps arrange substitute players when needed, but subs must come from within the league. Unregistered players cannot participate.

Subs are intended for teams with fewer than 10 confirmed skaters. Arrange only enough subs to bring the team to 10, and try to follow the spirit of the rule so a short bench does not become a stacked roster.

Ask the convenor when eligibility, numbers, or player fit is unclear. During playoffs, subs are generally not permitted unless the league approves an exception well in advance.

Do not promise a spot until any required approval is confirmed.

Watch Attendance and RSVPs

Encourage players to keep their SportsEngine attendance current so you know whether subs may be needed.

Pay attention to players who rarely attend or repeatedly fail to confirm. Flag ongoing attendance concerns to the convenor so the league can reach out and, when appropriate, offer the roster spot to someone on the waitlist.

You are not responsible for chasing players endlessly or deciding who should be replaced. Your job is to notice the pattern and pass along accurate information.

A clear RSVP saves everyone from the 9:47 p.m. ‘Uhh… we only have six skaters?’ moment.

Help Us Read the Team

Team Reps see the team from the inside, so your feedback is valuable, especially during the first few games when the league is reviewing parity.

Let the convenor know about: recurring skill mismatches; players who appear outside the intended division; combinations that are affecting team balance; players who may not be a good fit; or adjustments that could make the season more competitive and enjoyable.

Provide specific observations rather than speaking for everyone. Head Office makes roster and trade decisions and communicates any changes.

The goal is not perfect teams. It is fair, fun hockey that stays competitive.

Flag Patterns, Don’t Police the Team

You do not need to referee teammates, investigate complaints, or deliver discipline. You can calmly address a simple team concern, but recurring or serious issues should be passed to the convenor.

Flag patterns such as disrespectful behaviour, repeated conflict, unsafe play, discriminatory comments, poor sportsmanship, or ongoing concerns about player fit.

Keep communication respectful and private. Do not debate sensitive issues in public chats, share screenshots outside the appropriate group, or turn concerns into team gossip.

CBL’s “No Jerks” standard applies to everyone, including the group chat.

Know the Communication Path

PLAYERS → TEAM REP

Routine team questions, reminders, RSVPs, jersey questions, and basic logistics.

TEAM REP → LEAGUE CONVENOR

Routine league questions, sub questions, attendance patterns, team-balance feedback, recurring concerns, and issues you cannot resolve with a simple answer.

CONVENOR → HEAD OFFICE

The convenor handles what they can and escalates serious or formal matters. Head Office handles suspensions, player removals, major conduct issues, and final roster decisions.

When something feels urgent or unsafe, contact the convenor on site promptly rather than waiting for the next chat update.