Sports clubs have a vital role to play in providing sporting opportunities for young people, and vice versa; young people have a vital role in providing the future success and development of sports clubs.
In most sports it is crucial to the success of the club that they attract and encourage young players. However, all clubs are unique and not every club may feel that a junior section is appropriate for them. Before introducing young players to your club you need to consider the responsibility of providing and taking charge of young people and how young people will effect other members in the club. Also consider the numerous benefits of introducing junior players to your club:
- Regular supply of new players ensuring the club’s future.
- Increase membership, including parents.
- Additional volunteers.
- Provide future officials and administrators.
- Increased income and more opportunities to raise funds.
- Enhance the club status and reputation.
- Improve social calendar.
- Give existing members the opportunity to accept new challenges, roles and responsibilities.
- Provide a focus or stimulus for club development.
- Recruiting participants for your 'sport'.
- Developing competitors/ performers from an early age will improve your 'sport'.
- Raise the club’s profile.
You can use the Running Sport: Starting a Junior Section booklet as a practical guide offering further help with junior club development (see Resources panel).
There are also a series of case studies available showing how various sports clubs throughout Scotland have engaged in development planning, many for the benefit of their junior players. These case studies show you what the clubs wanted to achieve and how they went about it. Several governing bodies operate club development schemes to promote junior sections, and the Cricket Scotland Top Club programme is one example. You'll find links to these case studies in the side panels.
