Over the next 10 weeks, I’m going to look at each of the 10 areas covered in the book and share some practical thoughts for grassroots clubs.
WEEK 1 – GOVERNANCE AND ADMIN
Does your sports club actually know who is responsible for what?
It sounds basic, but poor governance is behind many of the problems grassroots clubs experience.
A well-run club should have:
• Clear roles and responsibilities for committee/board members
• Relevant policies and procedures in place
• Effective committee/board meetings with decisions and actions recorded
• Appropriate financial controls and oversight
• A plan for recruiting, supporting and retaining volunteers
Good governance shouldn’t create more bureaucracy.
Good Administration should make running the club easier.
Good governance will ‘protect’ the club.
Chapter 1 of my book, Leading a Grassroots Sports Club, focuses on Governance and Admin – getting the foundations right when running a club.
Find out more about the book here:
If you’re a sports league or federation, send me a DM to explore how we can build a club development or knowledge-sharing programme that gives your grassroots clubs the practical tools, skills and confidence to thrive.
Next week: Does your club actually know where it wants to be in three years?
#GrassrootsSport #ClubDevelopment #SportsGovernance #SportsBusiness
About Geoff Wilson
Geoff runs his own consultancy business, with a focus primarily on sport. Previously Head of Marketing and Communications at the Irish FA, Geoff now consults to a wide range of global sports organisations on areas such as strategic planning, marketing and communications, digital, fan engagement, public affairs, women’s football, league development, club development and knowledge sharing / capacity building programmes. Geoff has created numerous academic models for the sports industry. Geoff is on the Advisory Panel at the English Football League and Chair of the Sports Council Trust Company (Sport England organisation).
Geoff has written a book which focuses on ‘developing grassroots sports clubs’ to order a copy check out https://www.routledge.com/Leading-a-Grassroots-Sports-Club-A-Practical-Guide-to-Managing-and-Developing-Your-Club/Wilson/p/book/9781041094883?srsltid=AfmBOooMPgFpXYSGYwNBOLxrR6mYShU8mWeM_rbVCGlipdpjnsfqlqVD
1. Check out Geoff’s online course in strategic planning at https://geoffwilson.teachable.com/
2. The other sports models created or co created by Geoff can be found below:
- Fan engagement https://geoffwnjwilson.com/2016/08/25/254/
- Fans Journey Model https://geoffwnjwilson.com/2023/04/06/the-fan-journey-model/
- Club Development framework model https://geoffwnjwilson.com/2024/01/30/club-development-framework-model-for-the-sports-industry/
- Growing attendance https://geoffwnjwilson.com/2019/09/18/growing-attendance-model-gam/
- Data maturity on sport https://geoffwnjwilson.com/2021/05/29/61-of-all-sports-organisations-do-not-use-data-for-their-overall-strategy/
- Sports Community Engagement Model https://geoffwnjwilson.com/2024/08/22/sports-community-engagement-model/
