How to start your own club
Starting your own club is a great idea. Go through this handy checklist first and make sure you get it right first time:
Does a club already exist in your area?
We have a club database listing activity in the county. Or log on to Find a sport or physical activity (link) on our website.
- Check your local sport centres and gyms
There may already be posters and leaflets at these centres inviting people to join a club similar to yours.
- Check local council websites
There may be small adverts and events listings for clubson these websites:
Peterborough City
Cambridge City
Huntingdonshire District Council
Cambridgeshire CountyCouncil
- Speak to the local branch of your sport’s National Governing Body
Whether it’s fencing or kendo, pilates or capoeira, seek out the National Governing Body for local details.
- Is there demand for your club?
Dependingon the sport, there will be a minimum number of people needed to makestarting your club realistic. A dance club may survive with a handfulof members, whereas team sports such as hockey need more.
- Ask friends and family if they want to join
Club members may be closer than you think.
By putting up posters, distributing flyers and using local advertising, you can organise a meeting and see who turns up.
Managing your club
There’s no one else doing what you’re doing in the area and you have keen members ready to support you, so what now?
- Form a small club committee
You won’t be able to do everything on your own, so share tasks and responsibilities
- Write a constitution and club policies
By deciding how often you’ll meet and what the club’s all about, you’ll encourage more committed members.
All clubs need funding to keep them going. Talk to your members about ideas and contact LIVING SPORT for advice. Read the funding pages in our members' section.
Speak to local sports centres and councils on securing court time or premises on a regular basis for your club.
- Organise a sports programme
Tokeep members interested and to encourage others to join, organise asports programme. Divide the activities up according to level (ie.beginner, advanced) and keep building on it. By also creating a pathway that members can follow, players will have incentives to stay with you.
Depending on the number of your members, you could either organise your own internal league, or join one already in existence.
- Keep developing your club
The members’ areaon our website is packed out with information on how to run your club,from safeguarding children policies to funding advice, and trainingcourses how to jargon busters.
Keepa record of any local press stories in the media, photograph specialevents and keep a log of activity. Perhaps you could give your ownawards, certificates and rewards to club members and players.
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