Have you often wondered what it would be like to start your own sports club? Community sports clubs and leagues are a great way to give back to the community. And a fantastic way to relive some of the memories that you probably have as a child. Sports is a way to bring people together. And a great pastime for anybody looking to get more out of life.
But how do you set up your own sports club? It isn’t obvious. Let’s take a look at what’s involved.
Do Your Research
First of all, you have to do your research. Find out what kind of sports the area is famous for. You can ask around at the local YMCA or leisure center to see which sports are the most popular. If you want a thriving sports club, you don’t want to offer something obscure. You want to do something that’s already being done in the local community. Remember, it’s not about providing a niche. It’s about doing something that is going to draw people in
You can also talk to friends and colleagues about what types of sports they would be interested in trying. Having a small cluster of people involved from the start is a great way to build membership.
Create A Venue
All sports clubs have to have a venue. But you’ll have to think carefully about what it is exactly that your club needs. Do you need a private venue with minimal spectator areas? Or do you need somewhere with grandstand seating?
Do you need something that is close to public transport? Or would the members of your club have their own means to get to you? Does your club need any specific facilities, like tennis courts? Or will a field suffice?
Grab The Attention Of Local Organisations
An excellent way to increase the visibility of your club is to involve other established organizations. Local churches and community organizations can help spread the message.
Set Out Your Budget
Anybody setting up a sports club needs to define a clear and coherent budget. There’s no point trying to set up your own golf club if you don’t have the finances or the marketing plan to do it. Think about what facilities your club will need and how much it will need to charge. Ask yourself whether members will bring their own equipment or whether it will have to be provided. Also, consider whether you’ll have to pay a coach or a referee or whether members themselves can do it.
Write Club Guidelines
It might seem a bit overkill to write down club guidelines, especially if you only meet once a week for a game of rounders. But sports clubs, like any society involving people, generate conflict. That’s why it’s a good idea to have something official that you can refer to in the event that something goes wrong.
It’s also a good thing to have for defining roles in the club. You want a club chairperson and a treasurer. And having a few extra board members helps spread the workload across more people.
