Running a sports club isn’t like it used to be. Gone are the days when you had volunteers at your finger tips and everybody chipped in to help the club run relatively smoothly. These days people are time poor and club websites have stepped up a level to assist in many areas to streamline processes and save time for committee members. Club websites are essential as the primary source of information and engagement for members, potential new members (and their families) and the community.
We have outlined what we think are the minimum 10 Features as Sports Club Website needs (there’s plenty more but this will get us started!):
1. Event Calendars
Keep your members informed with upcoming games, practices, special events, registration days, fundraising events (just to name a few) or Function room hire calendar. Ensuring it is an easy to navigate calendar is essential for your members to be able to review it plus from the backend, allow your volunteers to manage it easily.
2. Online Registration
By offering online registration (or linking through to your head sporting body) you can eliminate the chasing of players to register pre-season or during the season. Eliminate extra work for your committee members and they will thank you!
3. Member Payments Accepted
Chasing payments from players can be painful yet by having a direct online payment set up can assist in streamlining payment processing for sports clubs. Clubs can make it easier for their admin staff by having a dedicated page with payment or transfer options.
4. Member Management
Establishing a system where potential members & supporters can sign up to the club and managed.
5. Latest News + Communications
Having the ability for a potential new member (or parent), supporter or sponsor sign up to the club newsletter or latest news emails is essential in communications & a clubs ongoing success. The list can be segmented for direct communication to specific groups and any news articles can be sent out as required. Promoting regular club events, player milestones & interviews (for example) establishes important club culture & branding within their community.
6. Multimedia Galleries
Showcase photos and videos from games, events and training sessions that capture the spirit of your club and reinforce the positive reasons why new members should join. Sharing historical photos can engage members and allow club culture to be enhanced with older photos that capture the attention of past & present members.
7. Sponsorship & Fundraising Pages
Without sponsors many clubs would not survive. Creating a dedicated page to sponsors where their businesses are highlighted, promoted and links set up can give wonderful credibility to the sponsor and encourage more to support the club. Fundraising pages can also be set up to accept donations plus promotion of any fundraising events helps with promotional activities.
8. Social Media Integration
Boost your club’s online presence with the integration of social media feeds and connect with us buttons. The beautiful thing about having your social media feed on your website is you cover all areas. Posting an event, for example, on social media is then promoted on your website which can help to capture your members who may look on the club website before on socials, thus covering all bases. It is also easier to post on socials for many members who run the club without having to go into the backend of the club website and add an event to the page(s). Therefore your club website looks to be up to date.
9. Contact & Support Information
Make it easy for visitors to get in touch with club representatives through contact forms, email addresses and phone numbers. Having the list of committee members with photos, contact details and what their role is helps to make it easier for members to reach out to the right person.
10. Mobile-Friendly Design
Over 80% of people are viewing websites on their mobile phones, yet many websites remain outdated and non-responsive thus making it harder than ever for people to navigate their club website. Having your website updated and responsive will ensure your members are up to date and able to navigate their way around the club website easier.
We hope that these top 10 Essentials for Sporting Club websites will help your club look at and improve their website. And if you need help – you can contact Carly directly!
Carly Mangan, owner of Black Cat Website Design Studio has an extensive amount of experience around sports clubs at a club and International Level. As Team Manager of the Australian Women’s Under 19 Lacrosse Team in 2011 & 2015 Carly established a solid understanding as to what it takes to manage a team, supporters, parents and volunteer at the same time! As a past Committee Member for over 5 years and Lacrosse Coach for 14 years+ at Brighton Lacrosse Club Carly understands how clubs & teams work (and the work it takes to make them function successfully). Now as a website designer, Carly strives to bring all of her experience to sporting club websites so they can leverage their position within the community & to grow.