It’s all happening around you…you decide how to respond

The coronavirus crisis has presented us with challenges and changes to all aspects of our lives and the way that our community sports bodies and providers operate and will be operating in the future.

A key question is how the new ‘normal’ going to look like and how you will respond.

Will the way that we enjoy sport and physical activity be changing and, if so how can we adapt to that?  We are already experiencing many changes in people’s behaviour in the way we exercise (or not) and we are also seeing many great examples of community spirit, some of them, but perhaps not enough, coming from community sport.

Many community sport and activity providers are in danger of not playing a big enough role in people’s lives right now and are not at the front of people’s minds.  When all this is over and people’s habits have changed those who were visible during the crisis will have a much bigger chance of regaining, or even improving, their reputation and standing in their communities.  So what is your club, leisure centre or trust doing right now? 
And how ready are you to adapt and change your offering, service and way of delivery?  Do you really listen and learn?

This quote from Rahm Emmanuel, who was US President Barrack Obama’s Chief of Staff is not advocating creating crises. However, there is little doubt that innovations and initiatives that in ‘normal’ times would take ages to happen, in times of crisis, like now, get approved and implemented here and now!

So now is the time to be radical, daring and quick

New thinking seeks to actively exploit new opportunities, new technology and new habits.
And as the writer, George Bernard Shaw said, “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” …and celebrate change champions

Breaking free from conformity takes courage and requires change champions  – these rabble-rousers need to keep things from getting too comfortable and need space to work, plus a culture that values and encourages them.

One thing that the COVID-19 crisis has shown that we can convert an exhibition centre into a hospital in 10 days and that gin distillers can produce hand sanitisers, almost overnight.
In this world of new ‘normal’ lateral thinking and action has to become the new ‘normal’ for any provider of sport and physical if you can achieve your kickstart.

Kristine Sørensen of the Global Health Literacy Academy, based in Denmark has developed this simple segmentation model which splits people into three categories who will respond to the crisis in different ways.

During the crisis, we have seen various fitness instructors becoming online superheroes, such as Joe Wicks and Mr Motivator.  These people use their personality and reach to interact with people all over and often families are doing the classes together. Something was rarely seen in traditional environments. 

Produce better plans, based on your culture, skills and vision
We simply have to be better prepared, skilled and adaptable to respond better and quicker to these challenges. How relevant are 5-year plans when we, sometimes, don’t know what is happening in five days!? We can help develop

Developing new partnerships
In the world of the new ‘normal’, you will need to develop new partnerships often with non-sports partners, such as housing associations, supermarket chains and health bodies.  That will require developing a better understanding of their needs and culture.

The emergence and rise of Small Sport
Many people have now got used to going for a run or go cycling and/or just playing some football in the garden.  Can you engage with those Small Sport enthusiasts by adapting your offerings such as format and experience?  Can you develop a ‘virtual club’ where people link up via Facebook or WhatsApp and enjoy their sport, at your club or facility, but in a more casual way?

Innovative memberships and ways of engagement
Following on from above many providers could benefit from a more flexible approach to the ways they develop their membership programs, using technology to, perhaps almost personalising the way people can enjoy your sport, club and facility.

‘Old thinking’ focuses on maintaining the status quo and cherishes ‘the way we do things around here’, whereas ‘young thinking’ focuses on how to disrupt the existing set-up. We will work with you to encourage disruption within your organisation and how to work with external disruptors.

Embracing and embedding new technology to grow your reach

The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the growth in the use of social media and digital technology. So, every sports body and provider must now take a serious and innovative look at how they can further benefit from being more enterprising in the way they use technology to engage

How to be a force for good – focus on sustainability and social impact
Here at Sports Marketing Network, we are working on a concept we call Green Sport, which covers the issue around how community sport can become climate-friendly and play our role in reducing CO2 emissions. This is no longer just a ‘good’ thing to do, it is becoming a ‘must’ thing, and now is the time to take a serious look at that.  

Adopting purposeful and ethical practices that will enhance your value

Organisations are increasingly being asked “What is your purpose?” and that for sports bodies that has to be more than just getting people active, for you to have a real impact.
That involves behaving ethically and being transparent and honest and we all know the reputational damage sports bodies can suffer if that is not the case

Who is Project Kickstart for?

We believe that every organisation, body or provider involved with community sport and physical activity could benefit from taking part in Project Kickstart.  They include:

• Facility operators and Leisure Trusts who are looking at getting users back and engaging with them in a more dynamic and contemporary way
• Governing bodies of sport who are considering how they can modernise the way they engage with partners and providers and how they can become relevant to a wider audience.
• Community sports clubs who need to adapt to a changed and changing environment and develop ways of communicating and become hubs for their communities.
• Sport for change and community organisations who often work primarily with Nonsumers who are easily switched off and will require even more motivation and attention

Possible elements of the Project Kickstart programme
Sports Marketing Network can tailor-make a programme specifically for you, depending on your circumstances, scope and budget. We have considerable experience in delivering our content in a blended learning format, ensuring that you benefit from an efficient and effective programme:

1. Workshops for your board or committee where we introduce the concept and methodology behind Project Kickstart and get an understanding for your culture, vision and ambition
2. Social media programmes engaging with stakeholders and non-stakeholders, to get views and ideas from the widest range
3. Staff development programme where we run workshops, do mentoring and give them lots of resources
4. Kickstart workshops for clubs, coaches, providers, partners and others to get them engaged and motivated
5. Mentor support to a selected number of Focus clubs
6. Webinars and other online training services to maximise reach
7. Access to our various Kickstart Guides providing tools and to-dos
8. Best practice email e-newsletters, sharing stories and successes

Who are behind Project Kirkstart:

Sports Marketing Network (SMN) is a unique organisation where physical activity and community sports providers can share best practice on how to become vibrant, visible and viable and develop innovative and enterprising enterprises.
We have been described as positive disruptors and we have worked with a wide range of sport, physical activity and community organisations helping them to adapt, change and become better equipped to the changing landscape.

More than 4000 community sports providers from across the have participated in one of our
Grow Your Club workshops, benefitted from 1:2:1 consultancy and mentoring, attended one of our conferences, participated in one of our webinars or read one of our Guides, so we have developed an unparalleled knowledge and understanding of the opportunities and challenges for the enterprise and innovation aspects of community sport and physical activity.

Thousands of people involved with community sport and physical activity across the UK and Scandinavia have participated in one of our ‘hot topics’ conferences covering issues such as Innovation and Enterprise in Community Sport, More Disabled People into Sport, More Girls into Sport, Britain’s Active Parks and A Healthier Nation through Sport and Physical Activity, to name a few….we are now planning for our Community Football Summit 2020 on  1^st October 2020 and Sports Volunteering Summit 2020 on 22^nd October 2020.

Want to learn more and/or have a chat about how the Project Kickstart programme can help you to to get up to speed as soon as possible after the coronavirus crisis then get in touch