Founded in February 2025, FC Hollola chose Suomisport to support the launch of its operations. The service enables the club to manage membership applications, registrations, payments and communications in one place, making it easier for the small founding team to get the new club up and running.

FC Hollola offers children and young people in the Hollola area an accessible and affordable way to play football and futsal close to home, school and friends.

Suomisport met the new club’s needs

FC Hollola compared several options before choosing a system. The club wanted a versatile service that could be set up quickly and allow it to get started without a significant upfront investment.

– None of us had any previous experience using Suomisport in an administrative role, but the service appeared highly versatile and was quick to set up, says Juha Pitkäranta, FC Hollola’s chair and one of its founding members.

Another factor in the decision was that Suomisport enables the club to maintain a membership register compliant with the Finnish Associations Act and process membership applications electronically. It was also important to the club that user identification and data protection were built into the service. Within the same system, the club can create groups and events, manage registrations and payments, and handle communications and reporting.

Administration was designed to run smoothly from the start

The new club had to build its administration and day-to-day operations at the same time. The three founding members brought experience in football and club operations, along with complementary skills, but there was still a great deal to do during the early stages.

Administrative processes were therefore designed to be as straightforward as possible. Keeping information in separate spreadsheets, emails and message threads would have increased the amount of manual work.

Online workshops and support made it easier to get started

The free online workshops provided by Suomisport made it easier for the club to get started with the new system. Many parents were already familiar with the service through their children’s other activities, which reduced the need for guidance. The club has also used Suomisport’s support pages and received personal assistance when needed.

– The workshops really helped us get started. Whenever questions have arisen, we have received prompt help from Suomisport’s experts and have not had to wait long for answers, Pitkäranta says.

A single service makes everyday operations easier for a growing club

FC Hollola already has more than 100 junior members, with players ranging in age from three to 13. The increase in membership reflects both the local demand for football activities and the work done by the club. Suomisport has played a part in making it easier to welcome new players and families to the club and manage its growing membership.

According to Pitkäranta, anyone establishing a new club should first identify the need it will meet and then build a solid administrative foundation. Everything does not need to be ready from day one. Operations can be developed step by step, digital tools can be introduced early, and support can be sought from other organisations.

– The most important thing for us is that our junior players can train, play and develop on the football pitch. A well-functioning system frees up time from administration for coaching and supporting the players, Pitkäranta concludes.