What is Chat2Team?
Chat2Team is the free instant messaging app from Sporty. Chat2Team automatically creates a chat group for the people within a team. Chat2Team makes team communication simpler and safer. It lets you avoid using Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp or other messaging apps where safety and privacy may be a concern. Chat2Team is designed to provide a group chat just for the members of the team. Each message is visible to all team members, ensuring transparency and safer behaviour.
How to get Chat2Team
There are two ways to get Chat2Team on your phone.
1. Live Scoring App - if your team has games that can be scored through a Live Scoring App from Sporty, then you can install that app and launch Chat2Team there. For a list of these apps, click here.
2. Sporty NZ App - Sporty provides a free mobile app for every club and school in New Zealand. Download it from the App Store or Google Play.
Once you’ve installed the free Sporty NZ App, simply find your club or school. You only need to do this once. Then you will be able to see the Chat2Team button/icon on the App home screen. Note that each club/school can also control the way the App home screen appears, including updating the logo, colours, and even the functionality of other buttons/icons. Learn more here.
How to start a chat or join a chat
Start a chat: only a ‘Team Manager’ can start the chat for their team. This person is usually the coach, manager, or a helper for a team. That person needs to get the Team Access Code from their club or school. This only needs to be happen once each season. Full instructions are below.
Join a chat: when a Team Manager sends the first message to their team using Chat2Team, it automatically emails each team member a unique Chat PIN. More details are below.
How do coaches and team managers get the Team Access Code?
The chat for each team can only be started by a person with a Team Access Code. Team Access Codes are provided to coaches and team managers by their club or school. Details for clubs and schools on how to find the Team Access Codes are below.
How do team members get a Chat PIN to join a chat?
When the coach of team manager sends the first message to their team through Chat2Team, the system automatically emails a Chat PIN to each member of the team. Each Chat PIN is unique for each team member. Each Chat PIN lets you send messages on behalf of that team member, so you should not share your email/PIN combination (except for parents/caregivers who may decide to share a Chat PIN with a child if they wish).
Where do clubs and schools find Team Access Codes for their teams?
One Team Access Code is automatically assigned for each team in the TeamBuilder utility from Sporty. Clubs and schools access TeamBuilder from their dashboard in Sporty…
TeamBuilder is used by clubs and schools to add teams into the grades on the right of the screen, then drag & drop people from the left into those teams on the right.
Clubs and schools can click a team from the right in TeamBuilder to open the team and see the people within it. This view also displays the Team Access Code that the club/school can give to a coach or manager of that team (see image below).
TeamBuilder also lets clubs and schools export a list of all Team Access Codes for all teams. This is achieved by clicking the Export link in TeamBuilder, then selecting the Teams export option as shown in the image below.
Clubs and schools are able to let the coach or manager for each team know their Team Access Code. This only needs to happen once for each team.
NOTE: TeamBuilder also has an inbuilt method that lets clubs and schools generate an email from TeamBuilder that gives team managers access to perform other functions for their team such as to submit team sheets, communicate with team members, and score games. To learn more, click here.
How do coaches, team managers or helpers use Chat2Team?
Once you have installed an App with Chat2Team, click the Sign-in or Chat2Team button from the home screen. Then click the option for Team Managers to Enter Access Code:
The first time you do this, you will be prompted to Login or Register. If you already have a Sporty username & password, you can use it to login. If not, click the green Register Here link (this only takes a minute). To Register, simply enter your details. Note that the system will default to using your email address as your Username. If it says that your email address is already being used as a Username, we recommend you click the back button and click the Forgot Password link, since there is already a login associated with your email.
Once you have registered or signed in, you can enter your Team Access Code. REMINDER: you get your Team Access Code from your club or school...
It will then take you to the Chat2Team instant messaging area, where you can enter a message for your team...
When you send your first message, it will automatically email a Chat PIN to each team member…
How do team members use Chat2Team?
Team members follow the instructions in the email above, to install the app and launch Chat2Team...
Note: People use different apps to access Chat2Team. The home screen of your app will appear different to the home screen in the image above. There will be a link to your app in the email you receive.
Then you enter your own Chat PIN and the email address shown from the email you receive. This lets you join the chat for your team.
Benefits of Chat2Team
For Players and Parents/Caregivers:
- Stay informed: Receive timely updates about games, practices, and team activities.
- Car-pooling coordination: Easily arrange rides to games and practices.
- Team relationship: Build camaraderie and team spirit through regular communication.
- Availability updates: Inform coaches and managers about player availability.
- Reminders: Get reminders for training and practice sessions.
- Privacy: No need to share mobile numbers.
For Coaches and Managers:
- Instant messaging: Communicate instantly with the entire team.
- Notifications: Inform team members of cancellations or changes.
- Team rapport: Strengthen team cohesiveness and acknowledge efforts.
- Practice sessions: Arrange and remind about practice sessions and team meet-ups.
- Sideline behaviour: Thank parents for their support and good behaviour.
FAQs
How can I start using Chat2Team?
- Each team chat can only be started by a Team Manager (such as a coach, team helper, manager or scorer). Clubs and schools can see Team Access Codes in their Sporty TeamBuilder utility. Clubs and schools can give each Team Manager the Team Access Code for their team, so they can start using Chat2Team. When a Team Manager starts using Chat2Team, it automatically emails each team member a link to download the app. Each email contains a unique Chat PIN that each team member can use along with their email address to join the chat for their team.
Can the general public use Chat2Team?
- No, only registered team members can join the chat for their team.
How is Chat2Team safer than other group messaging applications?
- Chat2Team is only accessible to registered team members, avoiding privacy issues associated with other apps. It does not require sharing of personal contact information.
Where can I download the app to join the chat with my team?
- Your team manager, coach, or scorer must start a chat for your team. Instructions and a download link will automatically be emailed to you.
What happens to our team chat at the end of the season?
- Team chats are automatically deleted at the end of each season.
Can we exclude children from the chat?
- Yes, parents/caregivers usually receive the chat access for minors. Managers can also disable Chat2Team access for individual children.
Is it okay to share my Chat PIN with others?
- No. Each Chat PIN is unique to the individual team member. Sharing it means others can chat on your behalf.
Can parents/caregivers join the same team chat as their child?
- Yes, they can use the same Chat PIN as their child.
Can I opt out of receiving Chat2Team emails?
- Yes, each email contains an unsubscribe link.
Can I rejoin the chat if I opted out?
- Yes, use the original Chat PIN or request a new one from your team manager, coach, or scorer.
Can I control notifications from Chat2Team?
- Yes, adjust notification settings through your phone settings.
What if my registration record has our sports coordinator's email address instead of my own?
- The sports coordinator can provide you with the Chat PIN. You can join the chat using the coordinator’s email address and the Chat PIN.
Can we remove Chat2Team access from someone in our team?
- Yes, managers can disable access through the team member list in the app.
Can we re-enable access for a team member?
- Yes, managers can email a new Chat PIN to re-enable access.
A new member has joined our team. Will they get access to Chat2Team automatically?
- The next time a chat message is sent, they will receive an email notification with their unique Chat PIN to join the chat. Alternatively, managers can email a new Chat PIN to re-enable access.
For more information, visit www.chat2team.co.nz or ask SportyAI at www.sporty.co.nz/ai