The pandemic posed a serious threat to grassroots sports, creating challenges that continue to impact clubs and teams. For many grassroots sports teams, survival became uncertain during the extended restrictions. However, the rise of sports team apps offers new ways to manage these challenges efficiently.
Grassroots Sports Facing Pandemic Challenges
During the 18-month pandemic, grassroots sports faced an unprecedented threat. More than 10% of grassroots football clubs in the UK reported in the annual State of Play report in early 2021 that they doubted their ability to survive the post-pandemic period. Club organisers and committees faced the difficult task of re-engaging with existing members, attracting new participants, and managing the daily functioning of their organisation—all while adhering to safety guidelines, particularly for unvaccinated young people.
The need to limit physical contact and keep up with ever-changing guidelines forced clubs to adopt new ways of operating. A significant part of this change has centred on how clubs communicate, organise events, and share information. Here is where sports team apps come into play, offering a one-stop solution for all these requirements.
The Rise of Sports Team Apps: Simplifying Management
The good news is that numerous sports team apps are available to help clubs adapt to these new conditions, and many come at no cost. According to Trine Falnes, CEO of Spond, “The typical organiser for any club, grassroots sports team, or similar organisation is someone juggling multiple commitments. The less time they need to spend on admin, the more they can focus on what they truly love.”
Traditionally, voluntary organisers of grassroots clubs have taken on enormous amounts of administrative work. The pandemic has not only threatened the existence of these clubs but also made the organisers’ roles increasingly complex. Apps like Spond make it possible to manage a sports team or club through a single interface, streamlining tasks such as signing up new members, coordinating events, communicating with players, and even handling online payments.
How Sports Team Apps Save Time and Hassle
For many grassroots clubs, sports team apps offer a revolution in how they manage daily activities. Take, for example, a local rugby team organising an away match. In the past, the fixture secretary would arrange the match and then reach out to players through various channels—text messages, social media, email, or phone. Once a squad was confirmed, collecting match fees and travel costs involved the treasurer managing payments through cash, bank transfers, or even cheques. This manual process was time-consuming and complex.
Now, with a sports team app like Spond, the organiser creates an event in the app, which automatically notifies the relevant players and allows them to manage their attendance. Fees can be requested and collected directly through the app, with automatic recording of payments. The time saved for a single event could amount to several hours, freeing organisers to focus on other vital aspects of club management. Additionally, clubs can upload ‘return to play’ protocols, ensuring players are aware of and follow guidelines for maintaining team welfare.
The Impact of Technology on Grassroots Sports
The adoption of sports team apps has proven to be a game-changer in the post-pandemic world. With an estimated 151,200 sports clubs in the UK alone, the potential benefits of these apps are enormous. Before the pandemic, the advantages of using technology for team management were clear; now, they are more tangible than ever. By simplifying the complex tasks of organising events, communicating with members, and handling payments, sports team apps are empowering clubs to navigate the new normal with ease.
Why Your Club Should Consider Sports Team Apps
The right sports team app can transform the way you manage your club. Not only do these apps streamline communication and event management, but they also allow for seamless handling of payments, reducing the stress of manual tracking. For grassroots organisers juggling work, family, and voluntary commitments, this can make all the difference in creating a thriving, sustainable club environment.
As the sporting world adapts to a post-pandemic reality, the use of sports team apps is becoming essential for grassroots clubs. With features that simplify every aspect of club management, these apps are helping clubs to re-engage with their members, attract new participants, and manage day-to-day activities—all while keeping health and safety at the forefront.
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