The Best Ways to Attract More New Members and Players to Your Sports Club

Sports clubs have been part and parcel of our culture for decades, and there are all sorts of sports clubs imaginable – from cycling clubs to tennis clubs, rugby clubs, cricket clubs, and so on and so forth – including the ubiquitous football club. But if you have been operating your sports club for a while now and are seeing a decline in new memberships or simply feel that it’s time to expand and grow, you may be wondering how you can attract more new members and players to your sports club. There are different ways you can do it, but here are some of the best ways you can attract (and retain) more new members and players to your organisation.
Go digital
One of the foremost things you can do is to go digital. Everyone is online nowadays, and your sports club should be active in the digital world, too. And it’s not just about having a club website, either – although your website can be your online portal, and it can have updates about your club, you can also make use of other digital channels to promote yourself such as social media. Social media accounts have proven vital to numerous sports clubs because it allows them to reach out to more people and engage their existing members and supporters as well. Apart from these digital platforms, you can also make use of software (such as sports club management software from Coacha) that allows you to send out email blasts, update your event schedules, and even request payment and allow members to settle payments easily online.
Consider promotions
Another way to attract more new members is to consider promotions for your sports club. This means offering deals that potential new members may not be able to resist – such as free trial sessions, free training, and so on. Most individuals who are interested in joining a sports club will still only make a commitment after trying it out – and you should make it easier for them to commit by letting them have a taste of what it feels like to be in your sports club. By doing this, you can allow prospective members to meet your team and staff, get to know them in a friendly setting and establish a closer connection to them.
If you have a budget for marketing, you can also advertise in your local or community newspapers and magazines as well as place advertisements in local halls, notice boards, and shops. If you want, you can sponsor a community business or become involved in a local fundraising event or drive so you can boost your club’s presence in your community as well.
Don’t forget word-of-mouth
One of the best – and indeed, the most effective – ways to get your sports club noticed and attract new people is to rely on word-of-mouth. Word-of-mouth is pretty powerful, and your own members and players can be advocates and ambassadors for your club without much effort. They can bring along their family members, friends, neighbours, colleagues, and other individuals who may have an interest in the sport as well – and this could certainly go a long way to promoting your club, establishing its reputation, and eventually bringing in new members.