August and early September is a busy time for sports clubs. Families are looking for new hobbies, new participants are joining, and training groups are taking shape. Is your club ready? This 15-point checklist will help you get the season off to a smooth start.

Administration and sports operations

Season plan and annual calendar – Create a season plan that outlines your club’s goals and key events. Build an annual calendar that is visible to all club officials.

Licences, sport passes and insurance – Make sure that all athletes and coaches have valid licences, sport passes and insurance required by your sport. Inform your members about your club’s practices for purchasing them.

Club finances – Update the budget and make sure membership fees, seasonal fees, partner agreements and other funding channels are in order. Also check the deadlines for grants and facility bookings.

Key roles and responsibilities – Review, contact and, if necessary, recruit responsible persons for coaching, communications, equipment and events.

Athletes, participants and members

Registrations – Make sure all new and returning members are registered through your membership service and have paid any outstanding fees from the previous season. Remove those who have quit and offer them an alternative group if possible.

Group and team management – Create and check that all teams and groups in your membership service are organised according to age groups. Assign communication and management responsibilities to team leaders and coaches.

Welcome / season start event – Organise a season kick-off event for both new and existing members.

Coaching and training

Coaches’ and instructors’ competence – Make sure your coaches have the required training and licences. Encourage your club’s coaches to complete, for example, the Responsible Coach training.

Training equipment – Check that all necessary gear and equipment are in good condition and readily available.

Communication and community

Member communication – Inform members about the start of the season, training schedules and other important details (email, WhatsApp, social media, club website).

Group-specific communication – Assign responsibility for day-to-day communication to coaches and team managers in each training group or team.

Club culture and sense of community – Plan activities beyond sports events for parents and the wider club community to help strengthen club culture and team spirit.

Competitions and events

Competition and tournament calendar – Register athletes for upcoming competitions and tournaments, and ensure participation practices are clear, including which parents and guardians will be attending.

Camps and events – Plan the camps, tournaments and other events to be organised during the season.

Volunteer recruitment – Make sure volunteers and helpers are recruited and that they are informed about all events throughout the season.