Half empty?

Some people say when seeing half a glass of water: "The glass is half empty", they look at it from a negative point focusing on what is missing, others say "the glass is half full" and focus on the positive that still there is plenty of water!

We are aware that running a community sports club is no easy task, however, we would like you to look at the bright side; the glass is half full, - therefore this pamphlet will attempt to guide you to look for a lot of opportunities for assistance that your club is entitled to, or be aware of various sources of assistance you can use in your initiative and apply to for help.

Do not look too far ahead! Take on today's problems and look for assistance and advice from people who know better as problems arise. In this way your club will grow slowly and your community will understand and support the community sports club under the way as it grows at the pace your community is capable of supporting. Do not despair when problems seem to be lining up. Remember, to any problem there are at least two solutions, - just seek advice and look for the solutions when the community sports club is in hardship!

For example if nobody comes forward and show interest, - may be you have asked the wrong people! Or rather than involving politicians, look for the genuinely respected soft spoken leaders and people that have a love for sport. Stay away from people that come to the club for economic gain, the club only needs volunteers that are willing to work and contribute because they want to see local sport develop for the sake of the children and community.

Your committee

Conduct elections among parents, guardians, leaders, coaches and the young athletes to elect a Community Sports Club Committee.

Then give your new community sports club a name and adopt a constitution. Decide on a small, nominal membership fee that is important for the show of commitment and belongingness.

For instance charge K 1000 per member per term. If so needed, add on to the membership fee through your first fundraising car wash at the next golf tournament event.

For instance charge K 1000 per member per term. If so needed, add on to the membership fee through your first fundraising car wash at the next golf tournament event.

After registering your community sports club

You may request for the following benefit to your community sports club when you have registered with the District Sports Officer or District Community Development Officer. The correct office to look for depends on how your district is organised. However you have to be vigilant and ask now and again, as you will not get anything unless you are persistent and keep pushing!

© UNICEF/Irak 030512F-credit Shehzad Noorani

© UNICEF/Irak 030511F-credit Shehzad Noorani

Make your request to the District Community Development Officer.

Request the District Sports Officer (DSO) for a free copy of the standard community sports club constitution, which is developed by the Sport for All Project and available from National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ). Or you may ask a Sports Association for a copy of their constitution as a sample to amend for your club's need.

Request the DSO to have your club registered with the District Sports Advisory Council. If this body is not active in your area, urge the DSO to have it established.

Request the DSO for free copies of coaching pamphlets in the sports disciplines you would like to include in your club's training programme. The DSO should assist you to access the materials from National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) or from the national, provincial or district association of the sports discipline of your interest.

Request the DSO to be invited to short courses for your volunteer coaches and leaders that are arranged from time to time by the District Sports Advisory Council, the Provincial Sport Advisory Committee, the District Board of Health, UNICEF or the voluntary Non Governmental Organisations. The Ministry of Sport, Youth and Child Development have an office in all the provinces. The Sports officer gives technical advice and co-ordinate sports activities. Sometimes they give equipment and material support.

The District Council may assist the sports clubs with facilities.

Request DSO to connect you to University of Zambia (UNZA), Department of Physical Education for coaching, teaching materials and advice on traditional games, if you want to practise traditional sports/ games.

Make your request to the District Education Officer (DEO)

Request the (DEO) District Education Officer to help you acquire free coaches' manuals from the Curriculum Development Centre of the Ministry of Education in Lusaka in Physical Education for your community sports club.

Request the DEO for application forms to send your grade 12 volunteer coaches for Physical Education teachers' training at a college after coaching at your community sports club for a few years.

Request DEO to have your community sports club attached to an established government school for professional and administrative support and for co-operation on physical education and sport.

Be community supportive and offer your coaches for teaching sports in the community schools and orphanages in your area.