There are manuals galore about communications theory and how to establish good communications. But wise heads know that there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye. It has been said, for example, that your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, habits become your values and values become your destiny. This wisdom applies to sports clubs too.
The beliefs and thoughts around the club become the words, the words become the actions and so on. When clubs seek to become a place of respect, safety, fun, fairness and success, all communications, in and around the club, come under the spotlight. Some change and shifts will be required.
Calm, clear communications and deep listening replaces yelling and screaming. Respectful communications replace sexist and racist abuse. Building the kind of communications in and around a club that helps grow a culture of respect is an exciting and rewarding adventure.
Club Respect suggests you put all of the club’s communications practices, words and deeds, under the spotlight.
Every club has a set of values listed around the club or on its website. Unfortunately, there is a great discrepancy between clubs as to how they act their values.
It is not uncommon to discover that the members of some clubs are completely unaware of their club values. In other clubs, they may know of them, but fail to enact them.
The hallmark of clubs with a recognisable culture of respect is their capacity to put their values into action and explicitly demonstrate the actions that align with their values.
People with key roles, model the values in their work around the club. For example, coaches demonstrate the club values through their collaborative interactions with parents and players, and players engage in positive on and off-field behaviours that also reflect club values.
What clubs need is a process to assist them to recognise and enact their values. We’ve developed the Club Respect Positive Behaviour Matrix as a tool that can help you get underway.
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Club communications consistently reflect respect and club values, helping members to practice and embrace them around the club.
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While communication is coordinated, it primarily focuses on admin and acknowledging key individuals. Club values are not consistently explained or emphasised.
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Communication mainly revolves around the basics like registration and matches. Club values are not incorporated into communications.
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Club communications lack coordination and fail to engage members around the club’s values and objectives.
