Playing in a sports team is not only fantastic for your physical and mental health, but it brings community members together. For many of us, our fondest childhood memories consist of playing a team sport, and these memories are ones which last a lifetime.
But why should it stop there? Team sports are just as beneficial for adults as they are for kids, and nowadays sports clubs don’t discriminate by age or gender, but are rather united by a passion for the sport and a desire to maintain the community spirit.
So why not start your own sports team? Below is a complete checklist of all the things required to get your new team off the ground, from inception, to competing against other teams.
1. Choose your sport
If you are thinking about starting your own club, its most likely that you have a particular sport in mind. It is best to go with something you are passionate about and will importantly enjoy training week after week. Popular team sports in Australia are (but are certainly not limited to):
- Australian Rules Football
- Soccer
- Netball
- Rugby
- Cricket
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Field hockey
- Baseball
2. Decide on your chosen level
It is important to be realistic when choosing your desired level. If you are newer to the sport, its best to start off lower and climb the ladder once you and your team become more experienced. In time, there are options for your team to apply for local leagues. In sport, leagues are coordinated groups of teams which play against each other in sporting competitions over a period of time.
3. Find an appropriate venue
Finding a venue to train and compete on is paramount when starting a team. Usually, these consist of local parks, sporting grounds, and community halls. You need to choose a space which will be available at the times you designate. Check in with your local council or facility managers to establish permission to utilise a venue, and/or book it for your team. It is important to note that although many community venues are free, private venues will require a fee.
4. Host tryouts
Selecting team players is made much easier by hosting tryouts. The success of a team depends on the skills of your players, and how well they play together. You can spread the word through friends, co-workers and family, but this will only reach a certain number of people. Widen your reach by posting advertisements in local community publications and online pages. Social media is a fantastic way of advertising team try-outs, as it will reach a wider audience and it is free to advertise on. When hosting tryouts, it’s good to keep in mind specific roles you would like to fill, e.g. team captain, coach etc. Another point to consider is if you intend to collect joining fees (if so, this should be mentioned on your try out advertisement). Joining fees can be utilised to fund team expenses such as uniforms or venues.
5. Name your team
You may have always had a name in mind for your team, or it may be something which is decided later with help from your team members. Many sports team take a literal approach and name their team after the location and sport type; for example, ‘Perth Women’s Basketball Team’.
You can also get more creative and associate your team’s name with certain values, references from popular culture, animals, colours, just to name a handful. There aren’t specific rules when naming a sports team (although it’s a good general rule of thumb to avoid profanity or use a name which has already been taken).
6. Design a logo
Your logo usually will incorporate something from your team’s name. Your logo is crucial to the branding of your team, as it will serve as an identifying symbol for your team both out on the playing field and in the community. Your logo will not only be utilised on your team uniforms, but also on banners, marquees, flags and promotional merchandise such as custom stickers.
Having trouble designing a logo which truly represents your vision? You can hire help from a graphic designer. There are many different designers out there that can help to create the perfect logo for your new team. They will also provide a professional insight into what designs work well for sports uniforms.
7. Order your uniforms
Uniforms are what visually unite a team together. They are crucial identifiers for your players out on the playing field and contribute to creating a strong brand for your team. Branding for your sports team is important, as it facilitates trust and loyalty. It allows team players and supporters alike to identify with your team and feel united by it. Good branding can make your team stand out from the rest. A quality teamwear store can help with this by supplying high quality custom sports uniforms for your team, which include your unique logo and design.
8. Build an online presence
Many of us follow our favourite sports teams and athletes on social media. So why not create an online presence for your own sports team? A social media presence not only serves as a promotional platform for your team, but it’s also a fantastic way for both the local and wider community to stay in touch. It serves as a space for you to celebrate your teams progress and wins. The most popular platforms to utilise would be Instagram and Facebook, where you can share photographs of your team and information about upcoming events and games. You can also connect with other teams within the same sport through these platforms.
So, what are you waiting for? Start your own team and turn your sporting dreams into a reality.
