BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Many football clubs in Brisbane will admit that they can barely keep up with the workloads and demands that they face today, let alone think about the future! This is because in the main clubs depend on volunteers and benefactors to survive from season to season. How then, can clubs get themselves out of this season by season cycle just to survive?

How many clubs have reviewed their business plan recently? How many clubs actually have mapped out a plan of where they want to be in three or five year’s time? How many clubs have a “Vision”? How can one get to where one wants to be if one does not know where one is going?

I dream of the day when football in Brisbane is played at venues which are enclosed, and facilities that will enable the avid follower to feel a sense of pride in belonging to a club and supports that club by being prepared to buy a supporters shirt, and paying to watch his team in action knowing that his/her few dollars will be directed at growing the club.

It is hard to take when I personally observe people that attend games making attempts to avoid paying a gold coin to support the very activity that they get so much pleasure in viewing. These same people are probably the people that get on the clubs backs for not recruiting better players, or for not having facilities, or those who say, well I am only here to watch my son/daughter play why should I pay? These are the same people who expect to pay the registration fee at the beginning of the season and complain about how dear it is, whilst at the same time expecting the club coaches to be “Child Minders” whilst they get on with their business during coaching sessions and at time games! Do these people know how much it costs to run a club? Do these people have an inkling about what it costs clubs in electricity to run those lights at the grounds, or to buy equipment, and pay for licences, and maintain buildings and insurance, and leases, and a myriad of other necessities that make a club operate. Now before you jump down my throat, I am not generalising here as I know that there are a good many people who give their all to their club, but I guess, “If the cap fits……..”.

Many football clubs judge success by the size of the cabinet that contains silverware won by their teams over the years, this is all good and well because this is what traditions are built on.  I would suggest that the clubs with the most silverware are generally the clubs with the best prepared plans be they business plans or football plans, in most cases a combination of both. These are the clubs whose forefathers have laid the foundations by assisting financially, or by providing their manual labour or individual expertise. These are the clubs that made the early sacrifice and knew that good things come to those who wait.

There are those who scoff at club committees and coaches who dare mention a three or five year plan. Then there are those who never allow committees the time to see through their plans because success, what ever that might be to them needs to be instantaneous.
There are no guarantees as even the best prepared can experience difficulties, but the alternative is to keep doing what you have always done and keep getting what you always got – Less people doing more work!

When next you visit your club why don’t you ask yourself, “How can I contribute to making my mark on the club”?

Clubs could consider collecting “Wish Lists” from their members. NOTHING should be restricted and imaginations should run wild. The clubs could then put together a group of people who represent all the groups that make up the club; The players; the coaches; the managers; the senior reps the junior reps the financial controller, the canteen convenor; and others who can then put all the ideas together before going to a sub committee who will prioritise and cost the entire project. Only then will clubs know what it will take and set about putting plans into place to achieve same.

Some ideas that come to mind immediately:

1. To have a pitch for matches only. (Training facilities separate).
2. To have a playing surface that is conducive to good football.
3. To have the playing area appropriately fenced all around.
4. To have a grand stand where both the home and away supporters can be seated.
5. To have entry areas where supporters can be issued with a ticket for their donation.
6. To have a supporters club who create an atmosphere.
7. To have a canteen that provides both hot and cold snacks.
8. To have ground lighting adequate for the training pitches.
9. To have players uniformly dressed regardless of their age. (Black/Blue trousers and club shirt)

Now I do not think that all the above are out of reach by any stretch of the imagination. How do we pay for all this?

Would this be a worth while concept?
Every registered player as part of their non playing commitment to the club would have to nominate at least four (4) people (non players) who would need to become members at a cost of an annual $10 membership fee. How many junior and senior players do you have at your club? Multiply that by four minimum per player - This will generate $$$$$ to direct into facilities.

What would a membership provide?
a) One would be issued with a plastic membership card embossed with a membership number.
b) Issued with a club scarf or something to identify the member at games.
c) The club membership card would entitle a member to discounts at club sponsors’ businesses. In reality the $10 fee would be returned through discounts at nominated outlets in a short period and at the same time give the clubs sponsors a return.
d) MOST IMPORTANTLY a member will be recognised as someone who is contributing to the clubs success!

How can you assist the club?

Volunteer!

There are vacancies in all areas in a club. Here are some that come to mind:

• Club house cleaners
• Dressing room cleaners
• Grounds maintenance
• Canteen Managers/Assistants
• Bar Managers/Assistants
• Coaching staff
• Entry gate Attendants
• Match day Officials
• Manager – Supporters Club
• Kit- Manager
• Laundry – Manager
• Pitch Maintenance Assistant
• Sponsorship – Management Team Member
• Public Relations Assistant
• Media Co-Ordinator
• Player Liaison Officer
• Club Statistician
• Match Day Statistician
• Match Reporter
• Journalist-Club Web Site
• Match Day Risk Management Officer
• Tradesmen – Plumbers; Electricians; Carpenters; Painters.
• Task Coordinating Executive.