Starting a squash club can be a highly rewarding experience for squash enthusiasts, offering not just a space to play but also a vibrant community where members can connect, improve their skills, and share their passion for the game. By creating a club, you’re laying the foundation for a supportive environment that fosters growth, camaraderie, and healthy competition. Whether you’re bringing together seasoned players or welcoming newcomers to the sport, your squash club can become a hub for fitness, friendship, and fun, making a lasting impact on both the local community and the sport itself.
This guide will take you through the essential steps to establish a successful squash club.
Assess the interest in your area: Use online surveys, social media polls, community boards, put up posters in local shops, schools or gyms, send an article to the local newspaper to gauge the level of interest. The Local Sport Partnership may also help you providing support in the organisation of the first sessions dn the promotion to the broader community
Identify Target Audience: Determine who your potential members might be, such as beginners, or advanced players, juniors or seniors etc. Remember: junior sections require additional restrictions for dealing with minors, however they are highly rewarding and guarantee the long lasting of the club.
Location Analysis: Identify potential locations where your club can be based. There are many squash courts in Ireland, even in the most remote areas. Contact local gyms, community centers, or schools to find the squash court closest to you, and determine costs for your activities.
Choose a Structure: Decide if your club will be a nonprofit, a for-profit business, or a social club. An Unincorporated Association is the most common structure for clubs. It is the simplest and most informal way to set up an organization. This type of club is based on a constitution document, which outlines the rules for members and activities, and establishes a committee to oversee its operations. There’s no requirement to file any paperwork, and the administrative costs are low. It’s important to note, though, that while an unincorporated association isn’t regulated by Company or Co-operative Society law, it is still subject to Common Law. This means that members and others can bring legal claims against the association under this legal framework.
The Committee is the executive and policy maker body of the club. The first committee will probably include a small group of enthusiasts willing to take over the effort and perks of building the club.
A committee must include at least 3 people in the role of President, Treasurer and Secretary. A Children Officer may be needed if the club involves U18 players. Other roles may include Public Relationship Officer, Event Manager, Welfare Officer, Social Media Manager, Facility Manager etc.
The Committee structure and its responsibilities are defined in the constitution.
The first job of the committee will be writing a Club Constitution. A Constitution is the most important document a club must have in order to run smoothly and effectively. A constitution includes all the basic rules & regulations to run the club, and it’s the backbone of the organisation to provide information to prospect members and external bodies. It includes rules regarding disputes, code of conduct, committee responsibilities and more.
You can find a template for writing your own constitution below
Register your club with the appropriate local or national authorities. This may involve filing paperwork for a business license or nonprofit status. Get in contact with Irish Squash to get affiliated and receive benefits and support deriving from it.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to take your club to the next level, this resource covers key areas such as starting a club, communication & marketing and fundraising.
Effective communication and marketing are crucial for the success and growth of a sports club. Here are some best practices that cover press releases, social media, and website management.
Discover the Fundraising page, where you’ll find essential strategies and ideas to support the financial growth of your sports club. Fundraising is crucial for ensuring the sustainability and success of your club, enabling you to improve facilities, organize events, and expand programs. This section offers practical tips and creative approaches to engaging your community, attracting sponsors, and hosting successful fundraising events, all aimed at helping your club reach its financial goals and continue to thrive.
