At the start of the autumn season, clubs review members, groups, payments, licences, communications and much more. At the same time, families are looking for new hobbies and new participants are joining clubs. We have put together a 15-point checklist to help your club 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.

The blog has been updated on August 1, 2026.