1st June, 2021 — Membership and management
How Redpa and Gungahlin stayed social online
Clubs are in and out of lockdown restrictions and some sporting calendars have been suspended. It hasn’t been business as usual for local sports. But across Australia, clubs are finding fun ways to maintain a meaningful connection with their community. A challenge amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.
We spoke to Gungahlin United FC and Redpa FC who took to social media to help encourage their members and guests to stay socially connected and physically active.
You might find their ideas helpful to keep your members moving and socialising, even in the off season!
Gungahlin United FC
Like many clubs, the Gungahlin United Football Club (GUFC) made light of the delay in the 2020 season kicking-off.
To keep the spirit alive, the team turned to social media to share their activities. The youngsters showed off their home #isoskills in a compilation YouTube video.
The Women’s Senior League edited together a video of them ‘virtually’ kicking toilet paper to their team-mates. Gungahlin were busy entertaining their Facebook community by showcasing home-grown talent and humour.
Since joining the Good Sports program in 2013, GUFC has always taken a proactive approach to building a positive and connected club culture.
GUFC Chief Executive Neil Harlock recognises that “it is particularly important at this time for people to stay healthy and connected to the club.”
“It’s a challenging time for sports clubs but we’re doing what we can. Using social media, our website, eNewsletters, GUTV and our brand new Gungahlin United Football Magazine to connect our members and get them moving in a really fun way,” Head of Corporate Affairs Leanne Shea Langdown added.
Redpa Football Club
Redpa Football Club from Tasmania is 2019’s Good Sports Club of the Year. It’s committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive club culture. Even through the worst part of 2020’s lockdown, the club now continued to prioritise the health and wellbeing of their members.
The club encouraged their members to join a photo challenge. Players past and present proudly posted photos of themselves in their Redpa Guernsey. The club was determined to keep the red pride running high. They encouraged younger players to share videos of themselves practicing their footy skills at home.
Club President Shane Hine commented on just how important it is for their Redpa members to stay connected with others. And social media is the perfect platform to do so.
“It’s been a really good way of encouraging our junior members to stay active. To keep up their ball skills and to feel like they are part of the club. Even though we can’t train or play together at the moment,” he said.