Class League Game Day Run by a Student Committee
One game day of a multi-week class league where students run everything: team managers, referees, timers, standings and game recaps. Students experience real sports management, own each job and compete with good sportsmanship.
How to play
- Before game day, a committee of 5 posts the schedule: five fixed teams of 4, two games at a time and one team sitting out each slot.
- At the start, the committee assigns jobs: the team sitting out provides a referee and a timer per court, and each team manager checks their court (3 min).
- Slot 1: two 10-minute 4-on-4 team handball games with a rotating goalkeeper; the committee settles questions with the rules sheet.
- Slot 2: the resting team comes in, and opponents and jobs switch per the schedule (10 min).
- The committee updates standings: 3 points for a win, 1 for a tie and 1 sportsmanship point from the referee (3 min).
- Wrap-up: the committee reads a two-sentence recap of each game and announces the next game day (4 min).
Rules
- Every student takes on at least one organizing job during the league.
- The sportsmanship point is lost for arguing or rough fouls.
- The team manager clears objects and loose balls from the court before each game.
- Protests go to the committee at the end, never during a game.
Variations
Easier
The teacher acts as committee and students only referee and keep time.
Standard
A student committee manages jobs, standings and recaps.
Harder
The committee also handles discipline and posts standings and recaps on the school website.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: join the committee or timing crew, jobs that count as much as playing.
- Autism: get the job sheet in advance and know exactly when tasks change.
- Lower fitness: their team gets unlimited subs.
Learning goals
- Run a sports competition independently.
- Take responsibility for officiating and organizing jobs.
- Value sportsmanship as part of the result.
Equipment for a class of 25
- team handballs: 3
- goals: 4
- pinnies: 20
- whiteboard: 1
- markers: 2
- stopwatches: 2
- whistles: 2
Teacher tip
Keep teams the same all league long to build identity. Your job is to oversee safety and back up the committee, not answer every question for them.
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