Bowls Leicestershire BE Founder Member 2008 Unified County Formed 2013 RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES FOR CLUBS This has been put together as a result of a recent Development Meeting. Thank you particularly to the club members who attended and those who took part. Special thanks to those who have given the county some feedback on the evening, namely Steve Bacon (St Margarets) and Annette Oliver (Market Overton). NOTE ON UNDER 18 PLAYERS We recommend that you view the BDA website with regard to Safeguarding if holding events where Under 18s are involved (or likely to be involved). Bowls Leicestershire are currently working on our Safeguarding Policy and Documentation. We very much hope that we will be able to help clubs who are not currently Clubmark status or working towards Clubmark status but who have a small number of Under 18s. The documentation will not be onerous for clubs to use.
As a result of recent Development meetings and discussions, Bowls Leicestershire recommends that each club reviews their recruitment activities. These are a Guide only, intended to be a help. Although you may view this as stating the obvious, we will take the chance that you may find something surprising and useful. Ask yourself a number of questions... 1. What are the barriers that stop people joining the Bowls Club? 1.1 Location Do people know where it is? 1.2 How often is the club closed? 1.3 Is the appearance of the club welcoming? (Does your notice board say Welcome to... BC? 1.4 Do you have a high fence or shutters on the windows? 1.5 Are the facilities accessible for all? 1.6 What parking is available? 1.7 How do you think Bowlers are perceived? 1.8 Clothing? 1.9 Start up costs for New Bowlers 1.10 They know nothing about the Club! 1.11 They do not know anybody - Some people are naturally shy. 2. How do we overcome the barriers? 2.1 Talk about them can they be changed if so do so. 2.2 Ask friend why they have not tried the game? 3. What does the Club have to offer (how do we sell our club?) 3.1 Clubhouse (Private or Council) 3.2 What facilities do we have 3.3 Coaching (free) 3.4 Reduced membership fees 3.5 Friendship 3.6 Social activities 4. Do you know your current membership profile? 4.1 How many Men / Ladies - Husband & Wives, Partnerships? 4.2 Where do they live? 4.3 What are their ages? How many are over 75 / 60 / 50 under 30? 4.4 How did they find out about the club? 4.5 What attracted to them the club?
4.6 What made them join the club? 4.7 What are their views on the club now? 4.8 What is your catchment area? 5. Who are your target new members? 5.1 Anyone? Can you break this down? 5.2 Married couples Under 18 s Under 30 s 5.3 Recently retired looking for something to do 5.4 Retiring from other sports 5.5 Friends and Relatives 6. Where do we find them? (these may well differ for different target markets) Think about where and when you see them the most? 6.1 Supermarkets 6.2 Garden Centres 6.3 Doctors, Dentists, Libraries, Opticians 6.4 Community Centre 6.5 Other Sport Clubs / clubs 6.6 Out walking 7. How do we get people interested? Get buy in from your own members 7.1 Hold an event / Open day / Bring a Friend day 7.2 How do you advertise it? a. Local free papers b. Articles about your club in free papers (ongoing) c. A 4 posters d. Leaflets / flyers e. Banner outside Club f. Local radio g. Internet When advertising ensure you have contact names and numbers, email address address of venue, date & time 7.3 Advertise in places where your target market live / visit a. Shop windows b. Notice boards c. Post office d. Look at new housing estates going up. Can Estate agents help? e. (see previous lists above)
7.4 Encourage Members to bring a friend(s) 7.5 Approach people with leaflets in the 7/10 days before the event. a. Ask whether they have ever played the game or thought about it? b. Have they seen it on TV? c. Tell them about the game and how / why you started playing yourself. d. Be proactive, be positive. e. Get there agreement to be there, or to pass the leaflet on to someone else. Approaching people outside local supermarkets can be quite successful, but you must obtain permissions and ensure that you pick up any leaflets that are dropped. 8. At the event (be welcoming!) 8.1 Have some qualified coaches / experienced bowlers available 8.2 Ensure you have sufficient bowls of different sizes 8.3 Have the right bowlers to help / pass on their experiences 8.4 Provide refreshments 8.5 Give them something to come back for contact details & coaching 8.6 Be reasonably relaxed about clothing rules. Would shorts be acceptable on a sunny day? 8.7 Use commonsense approach to footwear (flat soles/plimsoles). 9. Open days Make these fun with medals to win. Use coloured woods if you can. Play a short game format of 6 to 12 end sessions. Play 2 x 7 sets and 3 end decider. 9.1 Chummy nights 9.2 Hold a FAMILY DAY, bowls is for all ages and abilities 9.3 The County can lend you some Short Mats up to 45ft long for your event. Please contact us. These can be used in... a. Schools b. Youth Clubs Scouts & Guide Clubs c. Soccer & Rugby Clubs d. Supermarkets may agree to put a mat down (ask them)
9.3 PIGGY BACK onto any County activity designed to raise awareness of Bowls in Leicestershire. Example: Monday June 9th Diversity Event at Goodwood Bowls Leicestershire and a Bowls England representative team are playing a fun event to show that all types of individuals can play the game Young; Old; disabled, blind etc. There will be advertising of the event on radio, hopefully TV and in newspapers, to encourage as many as possible to attend. Clubs can make most of this advertising and hold their own event on Saturday / Sunday 7/8th June 10. FOR ALL PLANNED EVENTS SET A REALISTIC TARGET FOR RECRUITMENT 11. FINALLY 11.1 BE ACTIVE IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITIES. 11.2 WORK HARD AT RETAINING MEMBERS a. Be kind, courteous and helpful to each other b. Value each others contribution