PROMOTE AN INCLUSIVE CLUB ENVIRONMENT
It is important that the club is welcoming and open to all, and reflects the local community. No one wants to feel like they don’t belong when they join a club. Consider things like:
- Advertising in different languages if the club is in a multicultural community
- Not serving alcohol on game days to be more family friendly
- Diversity in age, gender and culture on the club committee and volunteer workforce
- Program offerings to meet the needs of people with a disability and other considerations
Engage Quality Coaches
The coach is vital to a player’s experience and the club’s culture. It is important to appoint the right coach to the right team.
It may be beneficial to appoint a selection panel who are responsible for the coach appointment process. When appointing coaches, consider the following points:
- Coaching accreditation requirements
- Ability to attain Working with Children Check
- Values, vision and expectations of both the club and the coach
- Communication and leadership style
- Ability to provide and receive feedback from the club committee
Even if there is only one applicant – the club should do the due diligence to ensure the coach meets the club’s needs. If there are gaps, consider potential measures like extra training or development opportunities to ensure the coach delivers a positive experience for the players.
Check out the Coaching Section of the website for more information in the link below.
MAKE THE CLUB ABOUT MORE THAN JUST FOOTBALL
It’s not always the success on field that keeps players coming back! The club’s ability to provide social opportunities to harbour a strong comradery will ensure the players feel connected to the club. An enjoyable, safe, relevant and welcoming social scene can make a club more attractive and improve the club culture. Ideas include:
- Player dinner after training
- Charity events during the season
- Pre-season training camps
- Team outings during a bye round
- Off-season gatherings
- Club Busy-Bee days