Recrutement

 

Recruitment should be a constant concern for every club. That's why, right from the inception of your club, it's essential to find out if there is a demand within your community. Furthermore, it's crucial to secure one or more training venues (such as pools, beaches, gyms, running tracks, etc.) and qualified coaches to conduct training sessions. Once your club is established, there are several effective ways to recruit athletes of all ages:

UNDERSTAND YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE

  • Identify the athlete age groups you want to recruit, who you believe would be interested in lifesaving sport and fitness.
  • Tailor your marketing strategies accordingly to this demographic.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

  • Collaborate with local sports centers to introduce lifesaving sport to potential athletes.
    • Recruit lifeguards from aquatic facilities.
  • Form partnerships with local schools to integrate lifesaving sport into physical education programs or offer afterschool lifesaving sport programs.
  • Ensure participation in your municipality's summer programming.
    • Offer day camps to introduce children to lifesaving sport and generate interest early on.
  • Sports clubs (e.g., swimming, athletics, canoeing/kayaking) can be excellent allies in the recruitment process, as retiring athletes may want to try a new sport or compete in a related discipline.
  • Partner with a sporting goods retailer to get discounts on training equipment (jerseys, shoes, clothing, etc.) and promote your club and lifesaving sport.

EVENTS AND COMPETITIONS

  • Organize introductory lifesaving sport events to showcase the different lifesaving sport events and techniques to attract potential members.
  • Use these events as an opportunity to provide information about your club and to recruit new members.
  • Organize regional competitions to create visibility for your club.

BRAND IDENTITY

Develop an attractive brand identity for your lifesaving sport club.

Clearly communicate the benefits and uniqueness of lifesaving sport compared to other activities.

ONLINE AND SOCIAL MEDIAPRESENCE

  • Create a user-friendly, informative website highlighting your club's mission, training programs, and achievements (e.g., organized competitions, medals, national and international presence).
  • Use various social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) to share engaging content, success stories, and upcoming events.
  • Reach out to local media (newspapers, radio, television) for coverage of your achievements and events.

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

  • Design visually appealing flyers and posters to distribute in schools and sports centers.
    • Promote the health benefits, the different techniques that contribute to better lifeguards, the importance of teamwork, and the specifics of pool versus beach aspects.

INCLUSIVE MARKETING

  • Emphasize the accessibility of lifesaving sport by showcasing success stories from diverse age groups, genders, and backgrounds.

REGISTRATION INCENTIVES

  • Offer affordable registration fees.
  • Provide promotions or discounted registrations for new athletes during recruitment campaigns.
  • Offer incentives (e.g., free board or surf-ski rentals for the summer) to current athletes who bring in new recruits.

FEEDBACK MECHANISMS

  • Implement feedback mechanisms to understand potential athletes' concerns or hesitations.
  • Use this information to continually adjust and improve your recruitment strategies.

LONG-TERM COMMITMENT

  • Develop a structured onboarding process for new athletes, including mentoring programs and ongoing support.
  • Foster a sense of community within your club to encourage long-term commitment.
  • Reward athletes with awards at the end of the season.
  • Provide accessible and engaging training programs for all levels of athletes.
  • Offer mentorship for new athletes with experienced athletes.
  • Collaborate with experienced coaches to ensure quality training and guidance.

By implementing these strategies, your lifesaving sport club can build a solid foundation for attracting athletes of all ages and establish itself as a significant and inclusive organization within your community.