Acknowledge people for their contributions to club and culture. Acknowledgement gives us a sense of validation and belonging. The club acknowledging us makes us feel connected to it, more invested in it, and like we want to work harder for it.

We’ll be more likely to keep contributing positively, others will see the reward and decide to get on board.

Through the grapevine, people catch wind that at this club, people are recognised for their contributions and they feel valued. Membership and your volunteer pool swell.

Recognising people for actioning club values and helping to improve club culture, is in itself, an act that helps to improve club culture. Giving credit where credit is due is vital to morale, and to looking after your people. It’s a win-win.

  • Defining success measures

    Yes, everyone loves a winner, but a ‘win at all costs’ mantra comes at a cost.

    It creates unease and distress, translating into:

    • Excessive pressure on coaches
    • Unnecessary, unfair pressure on players (especially juniors)
    • Unbalanced playing time
    • Unfair team selection, particularly at finals time
    • Compromising player wellbeing (playing injured players, for example)
    • Disregard for club values and it’s mission.

    A ‘win-only’ measure of success is a narrow lens through which to measure all the amazing things your club can achieve. When your club aspires to be a place of deep respect, safety and fair play, people are more likely to taste success both on and off the field. There are significant success outcomes for clubs which create a culture where people are encouraged to show positive regard for one another, prioritising community above all else.

    These outcomes are:

    • Increased membership
    • Fewer breaches of the club’s Code of Conduct
    • Greater financial security
    • Volunteer retention
    • Regular supporter attendance
    • Positive community-wide regard for the club.

    These outcomes, and winning, are not mutually exclusive.

    Develop your club success measures by considering the following:

    • What do you want the reputation of the club to be?
    • How do you want players to behave on match day (before, during and after)? e.g. Shaking hands after matches with opposition and officials
    • Does the club have long-term sponsors? Is the membership healthy and growing?
    • Are you playing kids out of their age level?
    • Is the club attention focussed primarily on flag winners?
    • Is there a focus on outcomes above individual development?
    • How readily your spectators accept referee/umpire decisions?
    • Do your teams cheer opposition mistakes?
    • Do your teams ignore the weakest player?
    • Do new families come to the club because of positive word-of-mouth recommendations?
    • Is the club well-staffed with contented, valued with long-term volunteers?
    • Is it easy to recruit people to serve in management positions at the club?
    • What are your ground rules for committee meetings?
    • What’s the highest honour at your club as a player?
    • Are players proud of their involvement in their club?
  • Become a destination club

    Clubs which prioritise creating respectful culture also are more likely to achieve the on-field success sought by every club. Why?

    They become a ‘destination club’; a place well known for connection, belonging, collaboration, safety, enjoyment and respect.  One where people, including high-quality players, coaches, and volunteers, want to be. To translate this idea of success into reality:

    Step 1 – Identify and articulate your club’s measures of success

    Make sure that they sit comfortably with your club’s mission and values.

    Step 2 – Promote them

        • At the beginning and end of each season.
        • To new coaches and officials, volunteers, players and their families.
        • At your annual club event(s).


    Step 3 – Celebrate and reward success

    When members achieve success, individually or as teams, celebrate and reward them!

        • Have weekly awards for performances that align with your success criteria.
        • Monitor for milestones (length of membership, length of volunteer service, number of new members).
        • Celebrate these awards and their recipients across all of your platforms; on noticeboards, in newsletters, and on your social media.
  • Awards & Recognition

    There are so many achievements for clubs to celebrate that extend beyond simply winning the game.
    Do an audit of all the activities in the club that could be celebrated, and how they could be celebrated.

    Awards are always a great place to start.

    Once you know what areas of success your club wants to recognise, develop simple criteria for selecting the winner(s).

    Make sure you also decide on a fair, democratic system for choosing winners.

    Below is a list to help you get the ball rolling. They might be weekly, monthly, or annually – whatever your club can manage.

    Just keep in mind that consistency is key.

    Our List of Club Respect Club Awards

    General

    • Volunteer contributions to the club, such as; Volunteer of the Week
    • Volunteer of the Year, Junior Volunteer, Awesome Volunteer
    • Efforts made by individuals to enhance the respectful culture of your club
    • On-field Respect Awards
    • Club-wide Achievement Awards – 10 years of service etc
    • Coaches awards to players – Most Improved, Best Team Player
    • Awards for team achievement
    • Award for Awesome Coaching
    • Award for Awesome Supporter
    • Award for Awesome Parent
    • Award for Awesome Team Manager
    • Community Spirit Award

    Weekly awards

    • Weekly Respect Award – Player
    • Weekly Respect Award – Coach
    • Weekly Respect Award – Volunteer/Supporter
    • Weekly Club Contribution Award
    • Greatest contribution to team (Player)
    • Greatest effort (Team)
    • Success of the week

    Annual awards

    • Club Person of the Year
    • Volunteer of the Year
    • Club Spirit Award

How would you rate your club right now?

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Our club has established documented success standards that are openly discussed and agreed upon by all members.

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While our club prioritises winning the right way, we have yet to formalise our success standards. Individual teams may develop their own standards, often guided by the coach.

Our club believes in winning the right way, but it can be hard to uphold this principle when other clubs have a different perspective.

Our club adopts a win-at-all-costs mentality, viewing fair play as a disadvantage.