I've been fortunate over the years to be involved with many local sports clubs. Firstly supporting as a parent, then being involved with the committee to ensure that particular club is sustainable and in recent times as a trustee.
Most clubs are run and managed by a team of volunteers, their management committee that typically consists of a Chairperson, Honorary Secretary, Treasurer, Safeguarding Officer as the bare minimum elected officers. I have held been lucky to hold the positions of Honorary Secretary, Vice Chairperson, Media Officer, House Manager to name a few, and I thoroughly enjoy it.
There's nothing more rewarding than giving back to your local community and helping to provide vital sporting opportunities to young children. I have been able to use my skills and knowledge from my day job in marketing to increase awareness for clubs, grow their membership, engage with existing members, create social media content, update their website and I have been known to work the odd shift behind the bar and cook on the barbeque.
We all have skills that will help local clubs, all clubs are crying out for volunteers to share the work needed to run a club, more hands make light work and all that! I currently volunteer at Thetford Town Cricket Club as my son plays and I really enjoy organising events and ensuing the club has a future in Thetford.
I'm now working on a proposal to help another local club who has over the past few years lost it's way with regards to organisation, structure, presence online and retaining members. I'll be developing a plan for them and executing the plan with the help of the committee who need a guiding hand at this point to relaunch the club and return it to it's former glory.
Watch this space as I have more updates over the coming months.