Clubs Homepage
Get resources, assistance and templates for setting up and running a snowsports club…
SAFEGUARDING
CLUBS
FUNDING
TOOLKIT
AFFILIATE
INSURANCE
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Setting up a club
Let’s start at the beginning…
Looking to set up your own snowsports club? Snowsport Scotland is here to help guide you through the ins and outs.
It’s always best to start with a conversation - you can email iain@snowsportscotland.org to set up a time to have a chat about your plans.
It may sound obvious but confirming your clubs very reason for being, or purpose, will make it easier set clear achievable time bound objectives and go on to :-
Create plans and decide what products you should offer.
Decide upon a structure and investigate what legal status the club needs.
Write a constitution that confirms the above
Recruit strong and effective committee members.
Decide how to promote your club and sell your memberships products and services to the outside world.
Identify your fundraising objectives.
Legal Status of your Club
It is important that you understand what will be the best legal structure for your club and why. Please use the link to sportscotland for resources and advice on appropriate legal structures. This resource contains a large volume of information, but it is a valuable starting point for determining your club's legal status.
Appointing a Committee
At the heart of a club, managing its day to day activities and broader strategic management, is a committee. It usually comprises an executive management group and a wider group of committee members.
It is important for any club to appoint energetic, diplomatic, and diligent persons to the executive management group in particular. These people will drive the club's development and ultimately be responsible for its development and ultimate success or failure.
The executive group is generally made up of the key office bearers, who's roles should be clearly defined. To create your own role descriptors please use the templates below:
Key Governance Templates
All clubs and associations that wish to affiliate to Snowsport Scotland must hold the following governance documents for which we provide templates:-
A clubs constitution is a permanent written record of its purpose, structure, committee, products and organisation. All clubs should have a written constitution which should either be published on their website, or if they do not have a website, at least be stored in a form that can be accessed by members for reference. The constitution is usually drafted by the committee and agreed by all members at an annual general meeting. It should be regularly reviewed and updated as necessary for adoption at the next AGM.
Insurance
Important to note
Without these insurances any incidents giving rise to claims or litigation brought against club members can fall firmly at the feet of members of the club committee.
Under the Snowsport Scotland Insurance Policy, only club members are protected by the club insurance policy so it is crucial that all the committee and coaching personnel are properly signed up as members.
Clubs should publish their insurance schedule or policy on their website. If you are a member club of Snowsport Scotland you can obtain a certificate confirming your insurance by visiting:
As a minimum, all snowsports clubs should ensure they are covered by insurance for:
Public liability (protects clubs from claims for damage or injury to a third party as a result of persons participation in club activities).
Product Liability (protects clubs from claims for damage or injury to a third party as a result of their use of club equipment)
Officers and Directors Liability (protects club directors and/or committee members from claims for damage or injury to a third party as a direct result of that persons actions).
Employers Liability (protects club employees from claims for damage or injury to a third party).
Important to note
Professional indemnity cover held by these coaches leaders or instructors is only valid if:-
The coach, leader or instructor is a current member of their NGB or Professional Association
Their license is current and up to date
They are operating within the remit of their award
Clubs are therefore strongly advised to check everyone they engage. If clubs use a coach leader or instructor that DO NOT MEET all three of the above criteria that individual will be uninsured and any claims will fall initially to the coach, but likely be escalated to the contracting club and its committee members.
If a club uses the services of any coaches leaders or instructors to train or lead their members it is very important that the club checks that each person has their own professional indemnity insurance. Professional indemnity covers a coach, leader or instructor for any claims arising as a direct result of their coaching, leading or instructing work (whether paid or voluntary).
Recruiting
All snowsports clubs looking to offer coaching, leading or instruction to their members must ensure they only use personnel that are qualified, licensed and insured to operate in the UK.
As a minimum, coaches leaders or instructors must be able to provide evidence that they hold professional indemnity insurance cover for the work that they are being engaged to undertake.
Professional indemnity cover protects the coach, leader or instructor against any claims arising as a direct result of their coaching, leading or instructing work (whether paid or voluntary).
Important to note
The use of unqualified, unlicensed or uninsured persons will render the clubs liability insurances void should an incident occur that gives rise to a claim.
Any persons working within a club environment with U18's OR vulnerable adults must be a member of the PVG scheme. It is the responsibility of the club to ensure all coaches, leaders and instructors are PVG scheme approved.
You can find more information on our webpage on safeguarding:
Ways to Connect
Strong partnerships can help clubs to better deliver opportunities for members. This may be through providing support and advice, providing additional resources and facilities, or helping to promote a club.
Sport Development & Local Authorities - Local sport development teams can provide support and guidance to connect a club with local support. The local authority, Leisure Trust and Sports Council can also provide support. Get details of your local Outdoor Education Officer and ensure you build strong connections.
Local Sport Council - local sport councils are set up to represent their members at the local authority levels, they can also provide grants for athletes and promote sports. To find out whether your local authority has a sport council and how to become a member, head to the Scottish Club Sport website.
Local Schools - Active Schools Managers and Coordinators develop pathways between schools and clubs, supporting the transition from school to community sport. Linking a club to a school offers a new potential membership base, and provides further sporting opportunities for children and young people.
Local Community Sport Hubs - Your club might be able to benefit by getting involved with a local community sport hub. These hubs are set up to bring together sport clubs and community organisations that can all use a shared space. Find community sports clubs local to you here:
Connecting with young people - Involving young people in a club’s decision-making is an important part of connecting with the community. Sportscotland has resources and information available on this topic. It is key that club membership includes people between 17 and 30.
Other key contacts include (but are not limited to):
Facility operators - Snowsport centres and resorts, dryland training venues (gyms, sports halls, sport courts), public space management organisations (Forestry Commission, Park Rangers).
Local Snowsport retailers
Other local sport and community groups (scouts, guides
Local media
Marketing & Promotion
Is your club widely and well promoted? What is your media plan and marketing strategy?
A successful marketing strategy will give a club a strong profile. Whether trying to attract new members, sell entries to events or just improve awareness in the community, a good profile is key for success.
Many clubs are very experienced in running events for established athletes and club members, but for revenue purposes it can be worth considering running participation events for the wider community and engaging people in another tier of membership. This can help with revenues and profile.
For promotion of an event on Snowsport Scotland website and socials, please email: alison@snowsportscotland.org.
Business Planning for Sustainability and Growth
Sustainability is key for a club to have a lasting effect on Scottish Snowsports. Sustainability does not just refer to finances and developing income streams that cover the core costs of the club. It is also about the sustainability of the club's workforce.
A strong business plan will not guarantee sustainability, as there are often external influencing factors that are out of anyone's control (eg. weather!), however it will help the club develop a clear set of actions to keep it focused. In addition to focus, a strong plan will assist with identifying funding needs moving forwards.
For guidance and support in any part of your clubs setup, sustainability or growth, please contact Snowsport Scotland at iain@snowsportscotland.org.