Senior players

Step 1 of 10 Get the app and join your squad

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 10 Get the app and join your squad

Sign in with your own details

Open the join link from your coach, or go to Settings, then Join a team. Type your name and email and tap Email me a code, then type the 6-digit code from your email.

What you'll see: the sign-in box, with a line for senior players underneath. Use your own details.

Step 3 of 10 Get the app and join your squad

Tick the adult player box

Check the team code, then tick I'm an adult player joining my own senior squad. The child's name box disappears. Tap Join the team.

What you'll see: your team code and the ticked box.

Step 4 of 10 Get the app and join your squad

Wait for your coach to approve you

Your coach approves each player. Tap Turn on notifications so you hear about changes.

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

Step 5 of 10 Get the app and join your squad

Your coach approves you

This is what your coach sees: your name under Players with a tick to approve. Once they tap it, your team hub opens for you.

What you'll see: the coach's roster with your request waiting.

Shown from the coach's side so you know what happens next.

Step 6 of 10 Your team hub

Read notices and tap Got it

Open the menu (three lines, top right) and tap your team under My team hub. Notices open first. Tap Got it when the coach asks for it.

What you'll see: the notice with a red Got it button and a Report link.

Everything your coach posts is seen by the whole squad and the club's administrators. There are no private messages.

Step 7 of 10 Your team hub

Check training under Availability

Tap Availability to see upcoming sessions. For training you are counted as in unless you say otherwise.

What you'll see: each session with In, Out and Maybe buttons.

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

Step 8 of 10 Your team hub

Answer In, Out or Maybe

Tap your answer. Add a short note if it helps the coach plan, for example running late from work.

What you'll see: your answer highlighted.

Please don't put medical details in a note. Tell your coach directly.

Step 9 of 10 Settings and privacy

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. Under My teams you can Leave a team, and under Account you can Delete my account.

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 10 of 10 Settings and privacy

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.