Running a recurring sport event is 20% sport and 80% logistics. Get the logistics right once and the rest takes care of itself.
Before you announce
- Confirm a venue with at least three months of availability.
- Lock a recurring kickoff time. Same day, same time, every week.
- Decide minimum and maximum players. Don't run a 5-a-side with three.
- Decide the per-player cost and how it covers the venue.
- Pick a payment method that doesn't require chasing.
Communication
- One channel for the squad. WhatsApp or a Sport Padi group post — pick one.
- Post the next event 48 hours in advance. Pin it.
- Confirm the lineup 6 hours before kickoff.
- Post the score within 12 hours of full time.
Day of the event
- Arrive 10 minutes early. Set up bibs, balls, water.
- Open QR check-in. Anyone unpaid pays now.
- Run the team draft (Sport Padi handles this).
- Kick off on time. Late arrivals come in as subs.
- Stick to a hard end time. People appreciate it.
Equipment to keep in the car
- Two sets of bibs in contrasting colours.
- Two match balls, properly inflated.
- A pump and a needle.
- A basic first-aid kit.
- A whistle.
Safety basics
- Make sure everyone knows where the nearest A&E is.
- Encourage warm-ups. Five minutes saves six weeks of physio.
- If someone is clearly injured, stop and assess. Don't "play through it".
- Keep an emergency contact for each regular.
Avoiding burnout (yours)
- Rotate the host role every quarter.
- Delegate one job per regular: payments, equipment, photos.
- Take a one-week break every couple of months. The squad will survive.
Run through this list once and most of it never needs your attention again. That's the whole point of a system.
