If you are a new club and wish to join the QCSA for the 2023 season, please go to the 'Home' page on the website, and under the 'Main Features' section, click on the 'New Club in 2023' and follow the link.

Planning Your Club & Its Structure

Most of the clubs in the QCSA began as a team of mates or kids from the same church into big clubs (some with over 50 teams). It is not a requirement that a club be sponsored by a Church, but it is certainly recommended and there are only a number of places available for those that aren’t. There are two types of membership available:

• Full Membership (clubs sponsored by a church)
• Approved Membership (clubs not sponsored by a church)

Whichever way you intend to go, you basically need to start of the same way: You will need to call a meeting and get all those interested together to thrash out your ideas and get a plan on paper of the directions you intend to take. QCSA suggests that the following 4 things are the first things worked on and will form the basis of how you make your further decisions.

• Develop a Mission Statement (keep it fairly simple)
• Develop your objectives (what do you want to achieve through your soccer club)
• Develop your organizational goals (what goals will help you achieve your objectives)
• Develop your action plan (steps to achieve those goals)

One way to help you reach those decisions is to use the S M A R T principle. Make sure all your decisions meet these 5 guidelines.

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Realistic
• Time

Also remember that a plan is not final. It is living and review and update regularly.

It is then very important to work out the rules / constitution under which your club will operate. By having these in place, everyone will be on the same page and working together.

Will you decide to have the protection of incorporation or operate as an unincorporated club? QCSA recommends incorporation, but in saying that it is important that you seek the opinions of those with a lot more legal experience and expertise that I have. Whether you decide for incorporation or not, it is still important that you develop a constitution and by-laws for your club. It will give your club a structure upon which to build.

Appointing Office Bearers

While in most people’s mind the term “Office Bearers” may indicate the Generals or the people that sit and make the orders. For a sporting club, it actually means “the workers” those people who are going to get down and dirty and make things happen. If you are incorporated there are minimum requirements for office bearers. If you aren’t, then it is most advisable you have them anyway.

• President / Chair
• Secretary
• Treasurer

There are other positions that QCSA require as well. Whether these are the same people as those positions above are up to you. If they are different people, you will also need to decide whether any of them will be members of the Executive, or Committee or neither.

• Registrar
• Results OfficerSCM Councilors
• Coaches (you will need at least 1 for each team)
• Managers (you will need at least 1 for each team)

There are also a number of other positions that you may want to consider as well.

• Equipment Officer
• Public Relations Officer
• Sponsorship Coordinator
• Ground Official
• Grounds Manager
• Canteen Convener
• First Aid Attendant
• QCSA Representative
• Zone Representative
• Discipline Representative

Fields

 

Fundraising & Sponsorship

Fundraising and sponsorship are encouraged and in most cases necessary if you want the club to grow and succeed. Bear in mind a couple of things. As a Christian association, there are certain rules and guidelines that must be followed. Any alcohol or gambling related funds is expressly forbidden.

All sponsors must be approved by SCM, provided, they aren’t alcohol, gambling, pornography, they are very unlikely to be knocked back.

Any Government approved grants are ok, and not deemed to be breaking the anti-gambling rule.

Choosing Colours

Club colours and strips also need to be approved for new clubs or for any change for an existing club. At the beginning of each season, all clubs receive notification of clashing strips. That list will include every time your teams will need to wear an alternate strip. In some cases with larger clubs, you will only need to change against some teams.

QCSA does not have a list of recommended or mandatory suppliers. Clubs are free to buy their gear, equipment, trophies, etc for any supplier they wish. If you are wondering where to start looking contact me and I can point you in the right direction.