This report was commissioned by the New Zealand Orienteering Federation (NZOF) Council. The NZOF is facing a shortfall in income over expenditure. Also the base number of orienteers, affiliated and casual is too small for orienteering to develop and progress in NZ.

The NZOF Council realises that some of the shortfall can be overcome by increasing participation in orienteering and increasing club membership. As well an increase in participation and membership will help orienteering to progress and for stronger regional and national competition to occur.

The NZOF appointed a Development Officer – Project Role. Her project has been to examine the methods that a range of sports clubs in New Zealand and overseas use, to determine which methods are most successful in increasing participation and club membership, and to find the most effective ways of disseminating this information to orienteering clubs in New Zealand.

The current situation in NZ Clubs was to be investigated, reasons for decreases found, and development priorities assessed.

A variety of methods of research were used. This included questionnaires, email communication with orienteering clubs in New Zealand and other countries, an interview with a Squash New Zealand Development Officer and person to person and telephone conversations. Also a variety of written material was consulted, including reports on other sports, sports and club magazines, and Hillary Commission publications. In addition various clubs’ and sports’ web sites were browsed.

Enquiries to overseas orienteering organisations resulted in information being sent about the schemes they run for school children. No one supplied information on what clubs did apart from that, except for Victoria, Australia.

Team sports, such as hockey, were not looked at in great detail, as orienteering is not a team sport, although the number of hockey players is increasing, according to the Hillary Commission.

The accuracy of answers to the Club Questionnaire is dependent on the knowledge of the person / people in each club involved in answering the questions.
 

2. CONCLUSIONS

The following common factors emerged from the actions clubs take that are successful in increasing membership and participation. Some or most of these factors were missing in clubs that are in a static or declining state.

2.1 CLUB VISION AND STRATEGIC PLAN:

Each club has a vision of what they want their club to be – who and what the club is for and what they are trying to achieve. They want to look after current members and future members, and they have planned how to increase participation and membership.

2.2 ACCESS:

There is easy access to the sport where the clubs operate. Venues are relatively easy to get to as regards distance and transport, and there is a choice of days and hours of play. Their events are widely advertised so anyone interested in trying it knows when and where to go.

2.3 PROMOTION AND ADVERTISING:

Regular use is made of the local media to maintain a high profile of the sport and the club. A variety of other methods of publicity and promotion are also used.

2.4 CLUB MEMBERSHIP AND CAMARADERIE:

A club membership profile is maintained and retained. Club camaraderie is high because it is actively cultivated both at events and other social occasions. Attention is paid to individual members to help them feel they belong.

2.5 FAMILIES:

Often when a person starts to be involved in a sport and joins the club, particularly a school student, if actively encouraged other family members and friends will also join. A reasonable subscription rate helps encourage family membership.

2.6 WORD OF MOUTH

Many people join a club because a member of that club has identified them as someone who would enjoy the sport. The member has talked positively about the sport, invited them to come and try it and has reminded them every time there is suitable event to attend.

2.7 PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS:

Any enquiries about the sport are welcomed and information about the sport such as how, when and where it is played is provided to the enquirer. New participants are welcomed at events, and are given help to get started. Also when they have finished they are asked how they got on, and are invited to socialise.

2.8 SPORT MADE AVAILABLE TO SCHOOL CHILDREN

Clubs work with local schools from Primary to Secondary, providing have-a-go opportunities, and school championships, and make their sport and facilities and equipment available to teachers. Coaches from KiwiSport level upward are made available. The secondary school stage is recognised as being of great importance in gaining future members and participants. The sport is strongly promoted in Secondary Schools, and there is a structured programme of competition and coaching for students.

2.9 COACHING:

Coaching is provided for all levels, ranging from introductory coaching for people new to the sport through to advanced coaching for elites, as well as coaching appropriate for people at every stage in between.

2.10 MEMBER INVOLVEMENT

All members are encouraged to help in the running of the sport. Training is offered to help individuals increase their skills. Having more trained members spreads the workload, and many people enjoyment from helping.

APPENDIX A:  SUMMARY OF BEST PRACTICES FOR INCREASING PARTICIPATION AND MEMBERSHIP

MAKE ORIENTEERING ACCESSIBLE,
WELCOMING, SUPPORTIVE AND SOCIABLE
Ø Define your club’s vision – why is your club there and what is it for?
Ø Produce a Strategic Plan (Oral or written) for your club
- Integrating Maps, Events, Promotion, Membership and Coaching
Ø Set up a Permanent Orienteering Course(s) in your area
Ø Hold regular events – ideally fortnightly, and a mid-week evening Summer Series
Ø Make use of the local media to advertise your club events
Ø Make use of the local media to advertise your club members’ successes
Ø Advertise your events by club web site, email and fax to schools and Youth Groups
Ø Display posters in public places. (A template is available from the NZOF)
Ø Put event calendars in sports shops, gyms and Visitor Information Offices
Ø Appoint a person to look after all members and regular participants
Ø Cultivate an encouraging, friendly, supportive atmosphere at events
Ø Build club camaraderie at events and by having other social occasions
Ø Promote orienteering as a sport for families
Ø Have an affordable Local Club membership rate, e.g. $15 per family
Ø Talk positively about orienteering to all who might like it
Ø Run a regional Primary Schools Championships, or Schools Have a Go Day
Ø Promote orienteering at secondary schooling – aim particularly at third formers
Ø Run a regional Secondary Schools Championships at a club event
Ø Appoint a person responsible for enquirers and new participants
Ø Give an Information Pack to all Enquirers (A template is available from the NZOF)
Ø Take good care of new participants – help them get started and discuss how they got on afterwards. Send them the results by email / mail, and magazine
Ø Run Introduction to Orienteering sessions or series of Evening Classes
Ø Arrange regular coaching sessions and take advantage of  NZOF coaching opportunities
 

APPENDIX B which expands on the practices listed in Appendix A is available on request, from the
 General Manager, Stuart Payne
 171A Fifield Tce
 Christchurch 8002
 Ph/fax (03) 337 2275
 nzof@nzorienteering.com