Conducting a clinic for youth football coaches can seem like a daunting task, but with proper organization a high school football program can reap the dual benefits of positive community outreach and holding a successful fundraiser.
Target Audience
Focus on your intended audience. Is the clinic for the benefit of coaches within your immediate youth feeder system? Or, are you going to promote throughout the entire region? If the focus is to help youth coaches within your feeder system, use the high school coaching staff as the presenters. If the clinic is a major fundraiser, schedule coaches from other schools as speakers. This generates a greater response from the youth coaches outside your district. The size of the clinic will dictate whether a stipend should be offered to speakers.
Seek Sponsors
Thank youth coaches in attendance with a "goodie" bag which includes items such as a T-shirt, pens, writing pad, lanyard, etc. To lower costs, sell advertising on the back of the T-Shirt. Solicit businesses for the other promotional items.
Advertise the Clinic
Supply media releases to local newspapers, radio, and television. Send flyers to the target youth organizations. Set up a phone bank, and contact organization leaders to remind them of the clinic date. Include a list of coaches making presentations, as well as their topics.
24 Hours and Counting
Contact the presenters, and make sure they are prepared. Remind the presenters of their start time, and ask them to arrive at least 30 minutes in advance. Make sure all presentation assistance items (White Board/Markers, DVD player, PowerPoint projector, etc.) are in place and in working order. Meet with clinic helpers and go over the final details.
It's Showtime!
Have clinic workers arrive early enough to go over the agenda. Have the coaching staff available to assist youth coaches with any questions they may have following presentation.
Hints for Success
- Have a back-up presenter (staff assistant, e.g.) in the event of a "no-show."
- Video all of the presentations, and offer copies for a nominal fee.
- Send thank you notes to all presenters, clinic workers, and organizers.