I looking to see if anybody out here has experience with starting a triathlon club. I’m looking to get one up and running at a local college and wanted to pick the brains of any ST’s who have been through this experience. Basically I’ve got alot of ideas and a rough outline via the usat website on “starting a club”.
I guess specifically I’m looking for any pieces of information financial, organizational etc that you have found helpful or found to have been a road block in getting a club off the ground.
I have recently found that the only way to get volunteers for anything is a personal direct phone call.
If you send a standard yahho groups message saying hey we need volunteers for such and such; you will get axactly 0 replies.
The only way to do it is to get a spreadhseet with phone and email addresses and just start picking names out of the hat.
Even this doesn’t work well, people tend to be very busy when you ask them to be there for something. But you do get a few people who can’t make up something quick enough.
Oh, you’ll also find that everyone has ideas on what “The Club” could do but you’ll find that none of these people have the time to do lead the activities for which they have the ideas.
Well let me start by saying, this is going to be a lot of work, but it will also be a lot of fun! I was an officer on the University of Colorado TriTeam for three years and we had 90+ members when I was around (huge!). Maybe some of these things will be helpful.
It is too much work for one person so deligate, deligate, deligate. Put someone in charge of sponsorships (me at the time). We had great sponsors when I was there for sunglasses, apparel, shoes, bikes, wetsuits, bars, gels, and even little things like free bagels at the morning weekend ride (where we met) etc. Organize at least one group workout per day rain or shine. Find a good coach and/or have invited speakers at least once a month. Do everything you can to encourage newbies onto the team and into the sport and rely on the experienced athletes to help coach. Get a cool looking jersey with your sponsor’s logos on it. Put someone in charge of “going to nationals” to start working on the logistics months beforehand (bus, etc). Go to compete and compete to win. Host a “team-only” practice tri (even if it is a pool swim, mountain bike in the snow and run) for the newbies to get their feet wet before nationals (for many it will be their first tri) Put a mature person in the role of “university liason”. Good rapport with the big U is very important. Make your team an “official” student group with the university. Don’t let hammerheads dominate the team/group workouts- encourage the newbies. If the workout is LSD, then go LSD. If it is a speed workout on the track then go like hell. Start an email list through the university so you can communicate with those who are interested.
I’ve been involved with our club for about five years. We started as a very informal network of people who would get together for the occasional ride or run. About two years ago we hit sort of a critical mass where people began wanting more from the Club. So we got organized, developed bylaws and a good Web site, began charging member fees, set up a regular workout schedule, began actively marketing for members, and more. Today we have over 200 members. see: http://www.clevetriclub.com
Some observations
One thing that I think has been key to our success is that we have officers who are not only enthusiastic and dedicated, but are applying their career skills to club business. For instance, our president is an attorney and handled all the red tape when we applied for a 501(c)7 tax exempt status. Not something I would have wanted to do - I’m a PR guy (so I handle most of the club’s regular communications).
Set up a good web site and keep it updated frequently.
Communicate regularly and proactively with your members. We send a blast email every two weeks (this “feels” to me like the right frequency for us). Otherwise you’re out of sight/out of mind.
Get local sponsors - our relationships have helped us a lot.
Set up a regular workout schedule and give people responsibility as workout leaders.
Get club tee shirts. This imparts a sense of team and promotes the club.
Approach local RDs and see if you can market your club at races (e.g., put your flyers in their goody bags).
If you are looking for the easiest way to get started, then pigging back off of your local running club or cycling club for the first year. They likely already have established sponsors, membership, and officers. You will only need to amend their apparel order each year to include triathlon race apparel.
You could also use part of their website for triathlon specific info. Split off when it makes sense. The run and cycling clubs in my city have been around for decades and it was easy to fit right in because triathletes run and cycle. We added to their membership base and broadened their sponsorship appeal. We’ll split off when and if it makes sense.
Be forewarned that most pure run clubs have 2 or 3 guys that hate triathletes. Same with the pure cycling clubs. Ignore that. Most will welcome triathletes and actually start participating in more cross training.