ERC PLANNING DAY 28 JUNE 2015

A REPORT OF THE DAY

AND ITS OUTCOMES

CONTENTS

Summary ............................................................................................................................................ 3  

Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 6  

Membership ........................................................................................................................................ 8  

Equipment ........................................................................................................................................ 10  

Training ............................................................................................................................................ 11  

Clubhouse ........................................................................................................................................ 12  

Overarching/Miscellaneous .............................................................................................................. 14  

Money ............................................................................................................................................... 15  

Community ....................................................................................................................................... 16  

Social ................................................................................................................................................ 17  

Rowing Performance ........................................................................................................................ 19  

SUMMARY On Sunday 28 June a group of approximately 40 ERC members and special guests began work on a five-year strategy for the club.

During our time together the group:

1) Collected our individual ideas that reflected how we’d like the club to be in five years

2) Identified the key themes from these ideas

3) Developed ambition statements for each of these themes and the strategies and goals that would

underpin the achievement of them

4) Prioritised the strategies

5) Expressed individual areas of interest for ongoing involvement in project teams that would take

ownership for the realisation of the ambitions.

Nine major ambitions and supporting strategies were developed:

Membership

Ambition To increase membership, nurture new members when transitioning from Learn to Row and encourage existing members to participate and get involved in club activities.

Strategies

• Marketing for new members

• Further develop and market Learn to Row

• Improve retention and participation of current members

Equipment

Ambition Statement To have a fleet that is modern and current for all levels of competency

Strategies

• To have suitable and functional ancillary equipment (spares, bikes, megaphones,

cox boxes, shoes)

• To have gym facilities that are current and functionally configured

• To have a maintenance program that ensures boats are kept current and

operational

• Merchandise and uniforms – improve range and fabrics

Training

Strategies • Head Coach

• Coaching plans

• Training camps

• Looking outside the club for extra coaching and training resources

• Cross Training

• Professional gym training coach

• More training for coxswains

• Progression of ability pathways

• Support for coaches

Club house

Ambition Increase and enhance the club house presence as part of the river precinct and as our ‘third place’.

Strategies

• Enhance our presence on the river:

• Gym

• Kitchen

• Bathrooms

Money

Ambition Make our clubhouse our #1 revenue stream

• Increase revenue from function room • Increase membership numbers • Increased “incidental” socialising of members at the bar • Increased frequenting of locals to the bar for a drink • Make facility more welcoming to non members • Make ERC an event /function space with event manager/catering

Community

Ambition Greater exposure of ERC within the wider community

Strategies

• Increase public profile of the cub (in local paper ) • Increase social and community engagement with other sporting clubs • More composite crews. Exposure leads to achievement • ERC to be part of a “sporting precinct” with neighbours • Market the club and facilities better to entice people to experience rowing

and its benefits

Overarching/Miscellaneous

Ambition Become the strongest club in Victoria

• Structured management / club approach to bring club members together • Skills audit • Bring back club spirit across all age groups ! ( 1 club not several in 1 )

Social

Ambition More active participation between the ERC community through social events

Strategies

• Communication • Interaction • Social events

Rowing Performance

Ambitions

• Nationals (1 Tick)/State/International • Being competitive (1Tick) • Strong numbers leading to greater depth in crews

Strategies

• Training camps • Mingling squads to share knowledge • Coaching seminars • Mentoring • Crew selection • Cox training • Head coach • More coaches • Greater interaction

INTRODUCTION What we did on the day

Approximately 40 ERC members, parents and special guests met from 10am-2pm on Sunday 28 June to begin planning for and implementing our club strategy with a focus on the next five years.

During our time together the group:

6) Collected our individual ideas that reflected how we’d like the club to be in five years

7) Identified the key themes from these ideas

8) Developed ambition statements for each of these themes and the strategies and goals that would

underpin the achievement of them

9) Prioritised the strategies on the basis of:

a) Their contribution to the ambition

b) ‘Do-ability’

c) Cost

d) Timeframe

10) Expressed individual areas of interest for ongoing involvement in project teams that would take

ownership for the realisation of the ambitions.

We identified the following areas of ambition: • Money

• Training

• Rowing Performance

• Social

• Equipment

• Clubhouse

• Community

• Membership

The outcomes of the work of the group on the day are described on the following pages. The outcomes and ideas are provided verbatim although we have continued to group input into ‘correct’ headings as appropriate.

Where to from here

1. This document will be distributed to every member club member, along with our special guests on the day, with the invitation to provide feedback, further ideas and further expressions of interest in being a part of project teams.

2. A final version of this document will be prepared incorporating the feedback we receive.

3. We will form project teams based on the interest received and in consultation with the relevant members. The project teams will be based on the ambitions and the support of them:

• Governance

• Revenue (fund raising, bar, functions)

• Club Life (social, volunteering, culture)

• Rowing performance (racing, training,

coaching)

• Clubhouse (including gym)

• Community

• Membership (membership marketing)

• Equipment (boats, and associated

equipment)

• Marketing and communications

4. With the support of the ERC Committee each project team would prepare strategies and plans relevant to their areas of ambition.

5. From a project governance perspective, it is envisaged that the next ERC committee would be made up, in part, of the team leaders for each of these project teams. In this way Committee meetings would then provide support and guidance to the project teams.

MEMBERSHIP Ambition statement:

To increase membership, nurture new members when transitioning from Learn to Row and encourage existing members to participate and get involved in club activities.

New membership

Strategies:

Marketing 3 priority ticks1

Learn to Row 3 priority ticks

Existing members Strategies:

Retention 4 priority ticks

Participation 5 priority ticks

Post-it notes

• Volunteering schedule

• Develop a structure system which brings in new members and retains them over the years

• Have a membership base who are prepared to volunteer their time for key club events and

fundraisers2

• Have a membership that actively participates in the club – volunteers, rowers/active;

casual rowers

• 250+ active rowers

• Many more oldies on a Sunday morning

• Increase in membership of both active and non-active rowers with all club activities

• Positive and healthy environment for young people with encouraging and committed coaching

• ALL club members should contribute to their club! Instead of what can I get out of the club, the

philosophy should be ‘what can I do for my club’? Bei ti picking up rubbish or being on committee

etc. Put in! Support your club!

• Possible increase in membership price with a reduction in cost for the following season if a certain

number of volunteer hours are met (coaching, committee, fundraisers, boat maintenance, regattas

etc all ways to make up volunteer hours)

1 As individuals we put a tick beside those strategies we felt should be prioritised based on their contribution to the ambition, ‘do-ability’, cost and timeframe. The more ticks the greater the priority. 2 From our individual ideas we marked those that we were most passionate about, these have been bolded in this document

• Improving club communication, improving club involvement in the community, improving

pathways from learn to row into established squads, increased social events (anything from trivia

nights, to raffles ets)

• School Rowing Program/Corporate Rowing Program

• Tap into all the personal training groups to encourage rowing newcomers

• Transition of learn to row to full members x2

• Club Culture – introduction of new members and guide to ‘house rules’ modelled on ‘best

in class club’; mentor new members

• Membership to allow for social rowers, gym membership only

• Reduced rates for over 65

• Increase membership

• Growth in club membership by 25% in 5 years

• Increase membership across all age groups

EQUIPMENT Ambition Statement

To have a fleet that is modern and current for all levels of competency

Strategies

• To have suitable and functional ancillary equipment (spares, bikes, megaphones, cox boxes,

shoes) 5 priority ticks

• To have gym facilities that are current and functionally configured 4 priority ticks

• To have a maintenance program that ensures boats are kept current and operational

• Merchandise and uniforms – improve range and fabrics 2 Priority ticks

Post-it notes

• To have suitable and functional ancillary equipment (spares, bikes, megaphones, cox boxes,

shoes)

• To have gym facilities that are current and functionally configured x6

• To have a maintenance program that ensures boats are kept current and operational

• Merchandise and uniforms – improve range and fabrics

• Well organised equipment storage – easy to access

• Smaller shoes

• Better bikes to use part as training and for coaches

• Update boats and equipment eg – shoes in boats

• A new 8

• Only buy Australian made (IE GOOD) boats

• Aim for long term quality boat purchases

• Improve fleet

• A fleet of high quality singles

• Equipment is well maintained by involvement of all

• All squads working on boats to improve them through working bees

• Rationalise our equipment – develop an idea of what we need, what we can discard, what to

upgrade and prioritise

• Introduce ‘use by date’ for club boats – replacement and modernisation program

TRAINING Strategies

Head Coach 4 priority ticks

Coaching plans 2 priority ticks

Training camps

Looking outside the club for extra coaching and training resources

Cross Training

Professional gym training coach 3 priority ticks

More training for coxswains 1 Priority tick

Progression of ability pathways 5 priority ticks

Support for coaches 1 Priority tick

Post-it notes

• Have a professional rowing coach to coordinate all programs at the club

• Defined, structured rowing squads

• More focus on group fitness sessions

• More compatibility from experienced to beginners

• Coach for development squads

• Group training for gym

• Club training camp x6

• Other activities such as club rides, cross training, club time trials etc

• More training for cox’s

• Coaching – type of…experience of…ability to adapt to the crew

• Introduction of more organised fun activities on water in skill development

• Other club training activities eg rides, ergs, running

• Coaches working together as a team

• Paid coach to guide club as a whole

• Establish structured training and racing programs for all squads

CLUBHOUSE Ambition

Increase and enhance the club’s presence as part of the river precinct.

Strategies

Presence on the river: 5 priority ticks

• Café, terrace

• Utilise our rooms outside of rowing

• Community hub – ‘The Third Place’

Gym 8 priority ticks

- relocate externally and use it to generate revenue

- Upgrade equipment

Kitchen 3 priority ticks

- Upgrade it to attract more functions and further revenue

- Coffee machine – 3 ticks

Bathrooms

- Lock for change rooms (keypad)

- Freshen up

- Downstairs facilities

Mechanical - Check efficiencies to save money

External lighting – 4 ticks

- Solar panels

- Back lit ERC signage

Post-it notes

• Improved gym equipment and environment x 5

• Coffee machine

• Better layout of clubhouse: fresher, new carpet, modern, new couch

• Work with council to make club prominent feature on the river

• Improve building

• Improve interaction with passing people

• Clubrooms to become a community hub with café, balcony, coffee cart on weekends

• Change lock on ladies change rooms

• Improve the ladies bathroom, clean out lockers that are no longer in use

• Renovate function area

• Clean out of kitchen

• Remodel the kitchen

• Engage the membership more with facilities upkeep perhaps develop a roster

• Renovate building and facilities

• Update of club rooms, within financial capabilities

• Fix the leaking pipe in the gym

• Improve the gym

• Relocate gym out of existing building

• Buy second hand transportable building and put where the trailers are for stand alone

gym

• Improve the gym area

• Upgraded Facilities – esp disabled facilities

• Club to employ a function/Bar manager (idea for money)

OVERARCHING/MISCELLANEOUS Ambition

• Become strongest club in Victoria ( 1 tick )

Strategy • Structured management / club approach to bring club members together ( 4 ticks ) • Skills audit • Bring back club spirit across all age groups ! ( 1 club not several in 1 ) ( 10 ticks )

Goals • Become number 1 sporting club/community club in Moonee Valley • Increase member numbers to 400 ( strong ) • Winning RV Club Championships and state titles • Bring back schools into the cub – 2 years

Ambition

Have an organised and structured management system which implements and delivers on “club” goals and objectives (upstairs and downstairs )

Strategies

• Establish committee based on member skill sets (with community work ) ( 2 ticks )

• Skills audit across membership • Sub committee’s ( 4 ticks )

Goals • Development of sub committees • Review constitution ( under 18’s for a junior rowing committee ) ( 2 ticks )

Post-it notes

• Issue Resolution à effective way • Better administration of the club • More welcoming of outsiders • Follow through • Have a junior representative on committee • Strongest club in Victoria

o Bring back club spirit by incorporating past/old members on a regular basis o Increase numbers to +400 o Staged improvements at states and nationals to be number 1

• Provide a more structured/organised club system so everyone feels more involved and knows that they can contribute

• Have a full committee representative of all ages and squads • Set actions that are implemented by people across the club to achieve goals

MONEY Ambition

Make our club house our number 1 revenue stream

Strategies • Increase revenue from function room (7 Ticks ) • Increase membership numbers ( 2 Ticks ) • Increased “incidental” socialising of members at the bar • Increased frequenting of locals to the bar for a drink • Make facility more welcoming to non members ( 1 tick ) • Make ERC an event /function space with event manager/catering ( 3 ticks )

Post-it notes

• Consider increasing fees to improve equipment levels • Different $$ levels for different memberships • Graded memberships for competitive and non competitive rowers • Consider a major kitchen upgrade and raise funds through coffee and food rather than

rely on the bar • Lease building for bingo or run bingo ourselves • Finances in order – sustainable budgets with funds for new equipment and building • Develop strong financial position within community • Increase revenue • Increase spending for rowing department • Provide greater opportunity for rowing success • Make more than $150k per year ie focus on external functions • Fundraisers • Fun run • Involve locals • Develop opportunity to get external rowing revenue • Eg bring schools back to ERC sheds, expand school rowing programs ** this will increase

opportunity to get more members • Functions by members to raise money so we can go to regattas in good boats • Consistent (eg weekly ) hire of club rooms for functions etc to support income stream to club

COMMUNITY Ambition

• Higher Exposure of ERC within the community ( 1 Tick )

Endeavours • Increase public profile of the cub ( in local paper ) • Increase social and community engagement with other sporting clubs

Strategy • More composite crews. Exposure leads to achievement (2 Ticks) • ERC to be part of a “sporting precinct” with neighbours ( 5 ticks ) • Market the club and facilities better to entice people to experience rowing and its benefits (4

ticks )

Goal • Exposure ( 1 tick )

Post-it notes

• Acknowledge the people who are putting in the hard work • Community involvement in the next home regatta • Membership à greater cash flow

o Club involvement o Club entries in home regatta s

• ERC being part of a sporting precinct with its neighbouring clubs • Market the club and facilities better to the community inviting people to experience rowing and

its benefits • ERC having a close relationship with council and looking at partnership opportunities ( eg

events etc ) • Greater involvement with other clubs – more opportunities for composite crews • Social and community engagement raise our profile through community interaction • Higher exposure in the community • Recognised as the rowing club to go to in the “west” ie leader in Essendon • Increase ERC’s profile in the Moonee Valley area (through higher exposure in the local

paper etc)

SOCIAL Ambition

More active participation between the ERC community through social events

Strategies

Communication • Club news • Regatta news • Boat loading – when is it going to be • Redevelop web site • Beginners ( 1 Tick ) • Newsletter ( 2 Ticks ) • Notice board • Advanced warning of social events • Junior Representative • Social Media + newsletter, noticeboard, website

Social Events • Encourage greater turnouts • More planned events eg Bogan bingo, Pasta nights ( with guest speakers ( 1 Tick ) ), Trivia

nights (1 tick ), Junior dinners, underage events with no alcohol, social activities à team building

• Develop social program

Interaction • Between all squads/age groups ( 3 Ticks ) • Parent involvement ( 1Tick ) • Create strong club environment, not just individuals ( 8 Ticks ) • Coffee after training ( 1 Tick )

Post-it notes

• Less emphasis on alcohol and its role in ERC (ie move bar to create better social area) • Greater turn outs at social events • Junior dinners at least two for the season • Gain greater support in the club through parent involvement

o Social program o Regatta support

• Communication – how we get the information – is social media the only way • More interaction between the different crews – men, women, junior, masters, novice and

experienced • Get all squads involved in club activities; create a strong club environment not individual

squads • Communication – club news, regatta news, boat loading • Barista – coffee to bring rowers and outsiders upstairs to enjoy the facilities • Communication – for club activities, ie newsletter and noticeboard • More communication, especially for beginners about when training is on etc

• Social activities for the juniors to encourage team building • More social events • More club events eg trivia nights • Pasta nights • More planned events – bogan bingo • Increase social interaction between all members of all age groups • Redevelop ERC website to be a resource for rowers • More interaction between all ages • Communication of a social event well in advance, a week before the event is not sufficient as

we already have plans

ROWING PERFORMANCE Idea • Participation à training for regattas, entries to regatta’s à which leads to improved results

Ambitions • Nationals (1 Tick)/State/International • Being competitive (1Tick) • Strong numbers leading to greater depth in crews

Strategy • Training camps ( 1 Tick) • Mingling squads to share knowledge • Coaching seminars ( 2 Ticks) • Mentoring ( 2 Ticks ) • Crew selection • Cox training • Head coach ( 6 Ticks ) • More coaches • Greater interaction

Post-it notes

• Supportive and encouraging culture within and across crews and squads “club focus” • If the objective is to win medals, put the equipment and coaching into the squads and rowers

that are going to achieve that objective. Not just sharing allocations to people that are in the committee.

• Working towards better rowing performance/winning medals • Increased participation for juniors at nationals • Medals in all events at state champs • Increased participation for all rowers at all regatta’s • Aim for an international regatta ( ie Boston, Henley ) • Representatives at Nationals every year • Establish development plans for members that are visible , agreed to and revised • Creating more competitive crews by breaking down barriers between squad • Strong numbers in all squads enabling capability development and depth in crews • Would like to see more cross over in age brackets at regatta’s eg senior ladies rowing

with masters • More 18-27 yo rowers • Crew selection – best crews for the event • Provide training/coaching seminars to active rowers • Coaching Leadership – manage coaching in the club through Leadership / Head coach • Coaching path for future coaches • Development squad with clear avenues for improvement • Focus on coaching the entire squad rather than a single double • More coaches • Coordination of rowers so the new onces don’t leave • All squads bring home gold medals from regatta’s – junior, senior, and masters • External coaching • More coaching