The Network is a group of nearly 1,300 club officer peers sharing knowledge, information and experience through a secure closed LinkedIn group. It is independent and informal; there is no structure although we have an advisory group drawn from members involved in running clubs of all shapes and sizes across the country. And it’s completely FREE.
We’re based on LinkedIn
The Network is a continuous discussion between members on every conceivable issue related to running a club. These discussions – sharing knowledge and information between peers – take place in the Network’s private and closed LinkedIn group accessible only by fellow club leaders. This is our core activity and to be a member you need to be registered on LinkedIn (if you’re not already, it only takes a couple of minutes) and join the group here:
Members’ Portal
This is the member-only content of our website. That means you MUST be a member of our LinkedIn group to apply. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.
The Portal is an invaluable resource to support your club’s development journey
We have collated a rich treasure-chest of online and downloadable content from Network, member-signposted, and external sources. It is a perpetual work in progress as we seek to grow the portal to become the most comprehensive club support site anywhere.
To access the Portal you must complete the New Members’ survey as well as belong to the LinkedIn group. To help maintain the quality and relevance of our activities and continuously impove our offer, we need to know more about you, your priorities and your club. If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to complete this survey here:
Optional As a ‘thank you’ we have a terrific exclusive subscription offer from our media partner, The Cricketer. With a great heritage, The Cricketer delivers the best contemporary coverage of the game – international to club – from some its finest writers. And all at much reduced prices for Network members
And now you’re ready to register on the Members’ Portal. It takes 30 seconds and absolutely FREE for members:
What you’ll find on the Portal
Past discussions
This is the library of past discussions – sorted by theme – from the LinkedIn group over the seven years of our existence. They are the source of much of our information, knowledge and experience on everything and anything related to running a club
Club development resources
A collections of articles. publications and documents referenced or signposted in the Network’s LinkedIn discussions. It also includes ‘loaned’ exemplar documents from members’ clubs. We expect to build this over time into the most comprehensive library of club development resources anywhere
Surveys
The Network initiates occasional surveys on key development and topical club issues. They provide an invaluable insight into what clubs think and what they’re doing on anything in club development from playing numbers, through marketing and communication, to club clothing providers. The results of all our surveys, background context and allied resources, in date order, can be found here
Upcoming events
The Network holds regular virtual events on key club development issues. They range from Network forums covering several topical issues to more focused single-subject themes with both internal and external speakers. We are driven by member demand, indicated in the members’ surveys, and current debates
Past webinars
You will find the complete compendium of past event recordings and background information and resources.
Reviews
One regularly recuring topic of discussion is members seeking recommendations for, or guidance on, the merits or otherwise of various types and proprietary products in club administration software. So we have set up this online review service where we regularly ask members to rate products they are using and comment on their experience and the pros and cons.
Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club drills down into the key challenges facing clubs. 90% of member survey respondents saying that finance, funding and developing new income streams are a critical priority for their club.
