Tips for hosting a cost-effective sports event
Sports events are a perfect team-building activity for both kids and their parents.
Regardless of what sport it is, a fun game of just about anything can help people work together, build trust, and strengthen friendship bonds.
Sports events are a great way to encourage children and adults to spend time outdoors and get a healthy dose of exercise and vitamin D. Hosting a sports event is not for the faint-hearted. It requires planning, preparation, and an exemplary ability to work within a budget.
Below are five tips for making your sports event a cost-effective success:
1. Location
Hiring a venue for your event can easily end up being one of the biggest costs involved in the entire event. If you are hosting an event for charity or a local school, try using that to get a significant discount.
Some parks and recreational areas are available to hire for a nominal fee, provided that the event boosts the local economy. Make a list of the most ideal spaces for your event, and then set up meetings with the various stakeholders or local authorities.
2. Set goals
When preparing to host a sports event, you need to know what your specific goals are for the event to avoid getting into debt.
Fundraising events need to rely on local businesses and families to help sponsor them; school sports events are typically funded through donations or annual budgets, and general sports events can advertise businesses to gain sponsors.
The type of event being hosted will drive the goals, so set achievable goals and plan for the best ways to achieve them.
3. Medals
No sporting event would be complete without custom made award medals.
Medals reward the hard work, training, and effort that the athletes put into their sport. They offer recognition for their ongoing dedication, determination, and discipline – and they look fantastic on social media!
Choose a budget for your medals, and the cut-off point for awarding them. Once you have those facts, you can decide on their shape, size, and material.
4. Recruit volunteers
Determine the expected attendance of your sports event and use that information to estimate the necessary staff needed to make the event safe and enjoyable.
Review past events in your area to understand the requirements and expectations of the attendees. If possible, recruit volunteers to assist in the preparation of the event and then again on the day.
Larger sporting events may require multiple volunteers, so start your search early!
5. Spreadsheets
Spreadsheets are an effective way to keep track of everything during the preparation of your sports event. They aid in keeping track of your budget, income, expenses, and goals throughout the event journey.
They can also be used for tracking the advertising of your event, as well as make for a great reporting tool for post-event breakdown.
To end
Organizing your first sports event will be nerve-racking – but like most events, with the first one under your belt, there will be no stopping you in the future. Prioritize safety and fun, which will make your event a total success.