1. Host regular Social events
Hosting social events may sound very straight forward but it actually requires a lot of work behind the scenes.
It starts with appointing senior and/or well-known individuals from each team within the club to act as Social representatives on their team’s behalf. These Social figures can liaise with a Club Captain, plan events, research the club’s calendar, access club communications and remind teammates of upcoming events.
Now the problem with this is guaranteeing bulk attendance and providing entertainment for the event. Here are some simple suggestions for gathering a crowd in your club house (if applicable) to boost rugby club culture – cheap Pasta night after training, celebrating a club anniversary, watching a test match on the big screen, hosting a rugby ball, holding a Court Session, heading to the sponsor’s bar after a Saturday’s footy or celebrating a specific event.
Communication and planning is key. No one wants to arrive at a poorly-organised event and have to sit through speech upon speech. Have a DJ or other music, a dance floor, discounted alcohol (goes without saying) and maybe a few giveaways.
but most importantly, try and incorporate all members of the club in some way.
2. Maintain Club traditions
If you club has existed in the local community for 12 or 125 years, celebrate it. Broadcast this information to prospective new and existing members, inform people about the club’s history, induct new players through time-tested initiations, and encourage supporters to give generously to the cause. If your club has a theme song or a modern day piece of rap-music, encourage players, coaches and presidents to get behind and learn it. That way, once your side wins a game on Saturday, everyone can come together and blast those precious words that really mean something.
Uniformity is another big one under maintaining club traditions and building rugby club culture. Once a team has finished a game on a Saturday, it is important for the side to return to the changing sheds, replenish with food and water before cracking a cold one, having a shower and all pulling on the same club uniform. Whether it’s jeans and a polo or full-blown No.1′s, uniformity is important for club identity and building that culture. This way, players, trainers, physios, managers and coaches can all get on the same level and enjoy the company of everyone in the group.