Parents and guardians

Step 1 of 16 Get the app and join your team

Get the Royals app

On Android, open Google Play, search Essendon Royals SC and tap Install. On an iPhone, open Safari (not Chrome) and go to app.essendonroyals.com.au. Tap Share, then Add to Home Screen, then Add, and open Royals from your Home Screen.

What you'll see: the Essendon Royals SC app in Google Play, with the club crest.

The App Store version is on its way. When it arrives there is nothing to redo: your account carries across. Notifications on an iPhone only work when the app was added from Safari and opened from the Home Screen icon.

Step 2 of 16 Get the app and join your team

Sign in as the parent or guardian

Open the join link from your coach, or open the app and go to Settings, then Join a team. Type your name and email, not your child's, then tap Email me a code.

What you'll see: the sign-in box with your name and email.

Step 3 of 16 Get the app and join your team

Type the code, then check your team code

Type the 6-digit code from your email. If you opened your coach's link, the team code is already filled in. If not, type the 6 letters and numbers your coach gave you.

What you'll see: the team code box, then a box for your child's name.

Step 4 of 16 Get the app and join your team

Add your child's first name and last initial

Type your child's first name and the first letter of their surname, for example Sam K. That is all the coach needs to know who you are. Then tap Join the team.

What you'll see: your child's label filled in. Leave the adult player box unticked.

Two children in the club? Join each team separately with that team's code and a label for each child.

Step 5 of 16 Get the app and join your team

Wait for your coach to approve you

Your coach approves each family. While you wait, tap Turn on notifications and allow them when your phone asks.

What you'll see: your team's name with a green tick and "Request sent".

Notifications are how you will hear about cancelled training, so it is worth switching them on.

Step 6 of 16 Get the app and join your team

If notifications say they are blocked

Your phone has said no to notifications for the app. Open your phone's settings, find Royals (or your browser), allow notifications, then come back and tap Turn on notifications again.

What you'll see: a red message saying notifications are blocked for this app.

If you can't find the setting, ask your coach or the club for help.

Step 7 of 16 Your team hub

Open your team hub

Once you are approved, tap the menu (the three lines, top right). Your team is listed under My team hub. Tap it.

What you'll see: the menu, with your team and your role (Parent) near the bottom.

Settings also lists your teams under My teams.

Step 8 of 16 Your team hub

Read notices and tap Got it

Notices from your coach open first. When a notice asks for it, tap Got it so your coach knows you have read it.

What you'll see: the notice, a red Got it button, and a Report link if something worries you.

Everything a coach posts is seen by every family on the team. There are no private messages in the app.

Step 9 of 16 Your team hub

Your coach can see you have read it

After you tap Got it, the button changes to Done.

What you'll see: "Your coach can see you've read this" beside a grey Done button.

Step 10 of 16 Your team hub

Check training under Availability

Tap Availability. Each upcoming session shows its day, time and venue. For weekly training you are counted as in unless you say otherwise.

What you'll see: the sessions list with In, Out and Maybe buttons, and "You're in unless you say otherwise."

Matches appear here too once Football Victoria publishes the fixtures, usually mid to late January.

Step 11 of 16 Your team hub

Can't make it? Tap Out and add a short note

Tap Out. You can add a short note for the coach, such as "Away at a family wedding". Your answer saves when you tap.

What you'll see: Out highlighted in red, with your note underneath.

Please don't put medical details in a note. Tell your coach directly. Training notes are deleted 12 months after the session. Match notes are deleted 120 days after the match.

Step 12 of 16 Your team hub

Answer one-off events

For one-off events, like a team photo day, the coach may ask everyone to answer. Tap In, Out or Maybe.

What you'll see: the event with your answer highlighted and the team's counts above it.

Step 13 of 16 Settings, privacy and leaving

Choose your notifications

In Settings, each type of notification has its own switch. Training and match reminders sends a reminder the day before training, a Tuesday nudge to answer for the weekend's match, and a heads-up about three hours before kick-off.

What you'll see: each type of notification with its own switch. Switch on notifications for the app first, then pick the ones you want.

Turning reminders off does not stop your coach's own messages.

Step 14 of 16 Settings, privacy and leaving

Report a concern

Worried about something you have seen in the app, or about a child's safety? Tap Report a concern in Settings, or the Report link on any notice. It goes to the club's child safety contact.

What you'll see: the Report a concern box with the club's child safety email.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 000.

Step 15 of 16 Settings, privacy and leaving

Leave a team

In Settings, under My teams, tap Leave next to the team. Your phone asks you to confirm.

What you'll see: your teams, each with a Leave button.

You stop getting that team's notices and notifications. Your coach can invite you back.

Step 16 of 16 Settings, privacy and leaving

Delete your account

In Settings, under Account, tap Delete my account. Read the box, then confirm.

What you'll see: a red box saying this can't be undone, listing what is removed.

Your name, email, phone number, team memberships, availability answers and notification subscription are removed, and you are signed out everywhere. Public match results and stats are not affected.