Running a sports club comes with plenty of challenges, from starting up and obtaining all the relevant qualifications to getting kids through the door – but how much thought is spent on retaining them?
So often, those who run sports clubs and teams have the philosophy of ‘if you build it, they will come.’ Ultimately, that relies entirely on word of mouth, and depending on the contact you might have and the area in which you operate, that may well be enough.
Once your kids and parents pay for their subscriptions, you must ensure they continue to want to attend. Once they lose interest, you lose a child and, with that, a paying parent.
It might sound crude to think about children and parents as customers, but when your sports club operates as a business – with bills to pay – that’s exactly what they are.
Communicate With the Parents
Coaches who run sports clubs communicate with the children participating in their sessions. This is a crucial aspect of any good coach’s job.
The importance of communicating with the parents can often be overlooked. Whether that be a brief chat following the session or some form of digital communication that provides parents with an update on their children’s progress and sessions, it can make a real difference.
The key thing to remember is that while you absolutely must ensure the children enjoy the sessions, do not forget who is footing the bill. Parents want to feel that their money is being well spent, and they have chosen a provider who cares beyond delivering the minimum.
Provide Purpose
No matter the age of the children in your club’s sessions, they must be provided with a purpose. What are they working towards? Whether they attend to develop their skills to go on to bigger and better things or simply to have fun and make new friends, there must be a purpose.
Of course, not every child will go on to become a professional in their favorite sport. It is a pipedream for many that very few ever get the opportunity to achieve. If your club is geared towards developing those who want to go on to higher levels, then make that known. Provide your participants with a clear pathway detailing the necessary steps they need to take to get to where they want to be.
It’s not much different from thinking about staff retention in an office setting, where employees want to know what the pathway to furthering their careers looks like.
Make Sessions Fun!
The main surefire way to keep kids coming back is to keep them wanting more. Kids want to have fun—they are naturally very playful, especially the younger ones, and learn best through play. When children enjoy themselves, they beg their parents to keep taking them.
Dull, repetitive sessions will lose the attention of any young athlete. By keeping sessions fresh and exciting, kids will be focused during sessions and look forward to the next time.
Also read interesting articles at Disboard.co.uk
