Whether you’re a newly established club or an experienced outfit, continuous development is essential for sustainability and success. Here’s some guidance to help you on your journey.

1. Community Partnerships

Where a club has achieved game-changing growth or development, a successful community partnership usually lies at the heart of it!

As the trend for ‘gym’ and ‘fitness’ continues to grow against struggling popularity in traditional sports, there’s never been a better time for weightlifting clubs to work with community partners for mutual benefit. Partnerships can provide valuable resources (for example, bigger facilities and access to your target audience), enhance your club’s visibility, and create a supportive network within the community.

Here’s how your club can effectively leverage community partnerships to achieve joint goals:

Identify Potential Partners

1. Schools and Colleges:

Several weightlifting clubs are now established within school settings and deliver programs across year groups and the wider community.

2. Community Groups Focused on Health:

Weightlifting is advantageously positioned to support children and adults in developing strength and meeting the UK’s Physical Activity Guidelines. Many community organisations work with clients who are least likely to be active and in need of help. There are numerous examples of clubs supporting these organizations with inclusive opportunities to take part in lifting.

Useful infographics:

3. Community Groups focused on Supporting People on Low Income:

The profound impact of the cost-of-living crisis means that the gap in physical activity levels between less and more deprived areas has widened. As a result, public funding is now largely directed at supporting low-income communities and households. Consider teaming up with community groups to enhance what they offer to their audience, helping you reach the breadth of your community.

4. Local Councils:

Councils deliver programs such as the ‘Holiday Activities & Food Programme,’ enabling you to support your local community and recruit more potential participants.

Establish Mutual Benefits:

When approaching potential partners, emphasize the mutual benefits of the partnership. Show how collaborating with your club can help them achieve their goals while also benefiting your club.

Develop Joint Projects and Events:

Create projects and events that involve both your club and your partners. This not only strengthens the partnership but also expands your club’s reach and impact.

Ideas:

Sports Workshops: Collaborate with schools to offer weightlifting workshops for students.
Community Health Events: Partner with local health organizations to host community health and wellness talks, such as ‘Exercise and Women’s Health’ (e.g., menstrual health, menopause) or ‘Lifting and Mental Health.’

Promote Each Other’s Activities:

Mutual promotion can significantly increase the visibility and reach of both your club and your partners.

2. Buddle

Buddle provides free learning and support resources for the people who run weightlifting clubs. Their purpose is to strengthen clubs and community organisations offering sport and physical activity, and the professionals that work with them.?

The webinars and online workshops are widely available and are just 1-2 hours in duration, making them manageable to take part in. I’ve attended a few of these workshops myself, and thought they are professionally organised and delivered, and appreciated by other sport clubs in attendance. It takes a lot of effort to run a club, so it’s encouraging to be on a call with other people who share similar experiences and passion for community sport.

Example webinars/workshops include:

Volunteer Experience
Engaging your Community
Leadership & Governance
Your Culture and Values
Financial Management
Create a Marketing Strategy
Exploring Legal Structures
Dealing with Increasing Costs
Raising Money
Inclusive Environments

Go to: https://buddle.co/

3. Sported

Sported helps community groups survive, to help young people thrive. They back the local heroes who make youth sport happen by delivering support and resources for free. A representative from Sported is on hand to work with you to reach your goals.

How Sported is Helping Phoenix Weightlifting Club Go from Strength to Strength

Ever since a flood closed their venue last year, Phoenix Weightlifting Club has been receiving help from Sported—a non-profit organization making a difference where it really matters: in communities, and for young people.

“In July last year we had a flood in our original unit, which led us to be shut for 3 months, which was hard. That’s when I took up the conversations with Sported and from there we’ve managed to get in with the Cheerleading Academy and the support they’ve given us is brilliant” – Andrea Peck, Head Coach

Sported complements the assistance available to clubs from other organizations such as Active Partnerships and can help on a broad range of issues clubs may be experiencing.

Watch: How Sported Helped Phoenix Weightlifting.

Go to: https://sported.org.uk/

4. BWL Inclusion Academy

British Weight Lifting seeks to identify clubs in England and Scotland that have the potential to create diverse and inclusive environments and support the next generation of young athletes to take their first steps into the sport of weightlifting. The program provides opportunities for clubs to learn from the experiences of other clubs and receive support from a British Weight Lifting pathway officer. Upon completion of the accreditation process, clubs unlock the chance to work in partnership with British Weight Lifting to deliver funded programs focused on engaging young people from all walks of life.