We all know that in this day and age, the Internet is a huge tool for news. The majority of business companies now have website to update their clients and customers as soon as they can rather than making phone calls and waiting for letters to arrive. I’m hoping to begin working on a website for the gymnastics club and would love to have other peoples feedback on what to include, what not to include and problems you have come across when running a Club website. This is what I can think of to include from the top of my head:
- Calender of events
- Contact details for staff
- Training times
- Club History
- Downloads section for Codes of Conducts, Competition Results, Class Conditioning Programs etc
Is there any other vital information that I should include? How do other clubs use photographs? I notice that a lot of clubs seem to ensure that the girls are wearing shorts over their leotards. Presumably they ask for the parents permission to use photos of their child. In the case of clubs having galleries from events, is it possible to have it so that a password is required to view the photos? I ask this as Child Protection is such a huge issue these days. A big part of the codes of conduct include the use of photography in the gym. It is stated that we, as coaches should not take photographs of the children or videos.
I would really like to have a blog on the club website that will update everyone with our news, from updates of new equipment to competition results, to mentioning which gymnast has been picked as gymnast of the month etc. Currently at the end or start of each term we provide a club newsletter but as any parent or child knows, very often the piece of paper with important details is thrown in the gym or school bag and never seen again!
I’d love to hear of anyone’s experience or advice on creating a club website.
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
Flickr
YouTube
Having tried many different platforms, my main advice is to use WordPress.com
Security is getting more and more difficult with independently hosted blogs.
WordPress is rock solid. And has enough flexibility for a gym club site.
It’s also free or inexpensive.
Thanks for the advice Rick, I was hoping someone would say that WordPress is the way to go
As an Evil Gym Mom, the things I look for from a club site are:
regularly updated content
detailed info for parents, for example: what to expect at comps, little things like where the venue is, specatator seating (just mom or bring the whole family), entrance fee, what hair style for the gymnast (yes I know the coach should say, but if it’s on the site then the coach doesn’t have to say it 50 times or rely on the gymnasts to tell the parents – notice often stay in gym bags!) First time gym moms especially like -and need- to know this stuff. If they’re calm, then the gymnast will be calm.
And there’s plenty of other sports out there if they get p*off with not being able to find out this info easily, and before they “sign up”.
Stuff you want to tell parents so that everyone gets the same story – otherwise parents will talk amongst themselves and it doesn’t take long for info to get twisted. Coaches do not need that hassle.
Sorry for the rant – it’s a bit of a bugbear for me!
All the best for the website
Thank you so much for you contribution Kathryn. I can’t thank you enough, that’s the exact kind of answer I was looking for! You’re definitely right about needing details to prepare for competition dates in regards to hair, presentation etc. Yes, we can’t rely on the kids to tell their parents that they have a competition in a few weeks or to bring such and such to training on Saturday.
Not a rant at all, a really perfect genuine answer from a (not evil!!) Gym Mom