There are many people who can assist you in the practicalities of your role.
At the adult club that I am club secretary for example, we have a new welfare officer who is struggling to get to grips with the process and systems, so I asked the question of an experienced youth club welfare officer and he is now mentoring and supporting our new adult club welfare officer.
At league level, there are many challenges, none more so than the discipline issues we all have to deal with from time to time, the registration of players, the accreditation of coaches, the referee lists and the fixtures management to name just a few
But I can assure you that whatever challenge you have, someone already has experienced it, so please reach out and ask for help or advice if you need it
Far too many volunteers leave their role because of burnt out or a feeling that they cant do the role.
We would retain far more if we just helped each other, so always be there for others and seek support when required
Doing things the way have always been done is not always the answer. Network, ask questions, seek help from CFA to ensure that you have all the info you need to make your life as a volunteer as straight forward as possible, and to make it more enjoyable.
Always listen to the feedback of your members; whether it be open age or listening to the voice of the child!
Sometimes we can think things are going great or there aren't any changes needed; but if you ask for feedback you will often get some great suggestions and ultimately enhance your engagement because people feel listened to.
Recently, the league I run, Liverpool Old Boys Amateur League, we did a mid-season survey of clubs to see how they were finding the season and what they would like to see change/introduced to the league. We had a brilliant suggestion back about having roving reporters around the grounds doing match reports to raise the profile of the league. I've since gone away and set up a link with Liverpool John Moores University's Journalism department and now have 4 enthusiastic young football reporters going around grounds each week doing match reports, post match interviews and YouTube highlights.
Another suggestion we had 12 months ago was more transparency on Cup Draws. So this season we have filmed them all at a local club and put them on our YouTube channel; promoting them to clubs, players and referees to get interest; they've gone down very well and given clubs transparency on draws as they wanted.
These two alone have been a great addition and all came from asking for feedback and ideas!
Anything to do with children's football is a challenge as adults think its more about them than the young players.
A few things to suggest that may help
Ensure you have a good team to help run the league efficiently. You cant do it all yourself
Always ask questions of CFA or other leagues. No question is a silly question unless you've asked it before
Include member clubs and teams
Gain feedback by way of a short survey from all: Clubs, Managers, Players, Spectators, and Referees
Always listen but don't be taken advantage of.
Always take notes during the current season to see what can be implemented for the new season to help things run better/easier for all.
We are looking to the new season and hope to implement some changes with regards to discipline issues - after listening to another leagues view on discipline on and off the pitch, and to ensure on pitch enjoyment for all involved.
From a Regional NLS League secretary: “Don’t be afraid to ask experienced club or league officials for advice but, if you’re not convinced by the reply, don’t be afraid to challenge it and suggest something better.”
As someone who has both been a club official and presently a league official.....Never be too afraid to ask a question even if you think its a silly one and maybe the answer will be exactly what you thought and it means you are ok but just like to be assured. I would also say if there is someone at the club or league (and they used to be in the same position) they may be the perfect ones to ask and are happy to advise.
