How to Start Your Own Super Fun Sports Club or Organization

To help women feel included and seen, consider creating your own sports platform or organization. Your organization can provide a unique opportunity to advocate for positive change. You should be vocal about your ideas, whether that involves creating equal opportunities in sports, advocating for underrepresented communities, or promoting diversity and inclusion. Ensure that communication between leaders and participants is open, transparent, and effective. This can be done through weekly newsletters or even social media posts. Ensure that your participants genuinely care about your mission.

To begin, establish a clear vision and purpose for what your organization aims to achieve. What is your primary goal, and who is your target audience? Ask yourself: Is your goal to increase access to sports for girls of color? To make equipment more affordable? To promote body positivity in athletics? There is a wide range of things to focus on, but it's also okay to be niche! Many people think advocacy is trying to appeal to everyone, when that is not what advocacy is about at all. Niche advocacy can lead to better use of resources and stronger connections with others.

Another helpful step is to research existing clubs and organizations that offer similar services to your own, so you can learn from their work and even collaborate with them on events, programs, or advocacy efforts. Then, create a leadership team that is passionate and dedicated to your cause to manage your organization. Find teammates who share your interests and are willing to help with planning. Finding an adult to help with planning can also be helpful, as they can guide you through the process. A lot of the time, you can find mentors at your school!

Next, implement a plan to promote your platform. This can be done by advertising your organization at social gatherings or posting on social media. Lastly, establish a schedule on your social media or website to keep your members updated and involved in your work. You should think long-term about how your organization will continue after you graduate. Possible routes include training members to become future leaders and partnering with other existing organizations with similar values and goals.