EMBRACE DIVERSITY TO ACHIEVE GROWTH
Regardless of where a club is located or how well the club feels that it is going either on-field &/or off-field, those clubs who fully embrace diversity will be better set up for sustained success.
Each local footy club is unique. Unique from various perspectives (history, geography, culture, teams, on-field success, off-field success, facilities etc.). Clubs are the collection of the people that represent it. The way in which the community views the club (including their unique elements) is largely based on how the club makes that person feel. Do they feel proud to be connected to the club. Do they feel welcome? Supported? Encourages to be involved?
Many clubs do this well. The great clubs do this well regardless of age, ability, background, skill, race, religion of each person. Not only do they welcome diversity, but they also actively embrace it. This leads to club growth through a range of outcomes: improved culture, more players, more volunteers, more funding, more sponsors and a feeling of making a difference within their community
If you club wants to be a leader is supporting those who can feel more isolated in the community, check out these links:
Gender Diversity
It is important to consider how Australian Football reflects the community where not all people involved in Community Football will identify as either male or female. The AFL Gender Diversity Policy – Community Football can assist as a resource to help guide local football clubs through what can appear on the surface as a complex matter.
Social Football Solution
You may know of people who would like to be involved in the club as a player however, for a variety of reasons, can’t commit to playing in the ‘traditional’ team structure that your club offers. It would be great to offer them a fun & social solution to keep them connected to the club though.
AFLX might be the solution for you & them!