For the first time in 15 years, we are delighted to share groundbreaking insights into the performance of youth sports clubs across the globe. This research, which began in 2008, evolved into the NSCAA Club Standards Project, and now continues under the Institute for Youth Sports Leaders (IYSL).
This 15 year old research project is one of the most comprehensive studies on youth sports leadership and club performance.
Leadership Lessons from 2,500+ Youth Sports Clubs
At its core, this research is built on real-world evidence—hundreds of club evaluations, extensive data collection, and a growing body of insights that we share monthly in the ‘Youth Sports Best Practice’ LinkedIn Newsletter. With contributions from over 2,500 clubs across 20+ sports and all continents, the findings highlight what separates top-performing clubs from those struggling to keep up.
60 Best Practices
To understand what separates thriving clubs from struggling ones, the IYSL Best Practice Analysis Survey has identified 60 key best practices. These insights provide a roadmap for clubs looking to enhance their leadership, operations, and overall impact. Club Leaders are encouraged to compare their club’s performance against industry standards for Free.
5 Part Mini Series
This five-part mini-series distills key lessons from the data, offering youth sports leaders practical takeaways to enhance their club’s success. Each article compares and contrasts the performance of average clubs with those consistently excelling both on and off the field. More importantly, we’ll explore the implications of these insights and provide actionable steps that club leaders can take to elevate their organizations.
ARTICLE 1: YOUTH SPORTS CLUB LIFECYCLE PREDICTOR
A youth sports club follows a life cycle – 5 Phases of Growth — from Formation to Model Club Status. Successful clubs navigate this journey by continuously assessing and refining their leadership structures, financial models, and community engagement.
Leadership Insights
While many factors can influence an organization’s evolution, these ten key success factors have consistently emerged as the most impactful in shaping a club’s growth and success. Their significance across diverse contexts highlights their importance in an organization’s evolutionary journey.
Importance
Success Factor
1
Leadership Structure: Establishing a clear leadership structure that balances ownership, board oversight, and professional management.
2
Right People in the Right Leadership Seats: Ensuring leaders have the experience, qualifications, and decision-making authority to drive the club forward.
3
Staffing Structure: Building a staffing model that effectively integrates full-time, part-time, and volunteer contributions.
4
Strategic Planning: Developing and maintaining a strategic plan that informs decisions and aligns with long-term goals.
5
Operational Planning: Creating and executing operational plans that translate strategic goals into measurable actions.
6
Revenue Portfolio: Diversifying revenue streams to ensure stability and reduce dependence on any single source.
7
Administrative Structure: Balancing team and club-centric behaviors to create a unified, efficient administrative structure.
8
Facilities Access: Securing access, ownership, or control over critical facilities to meet training and competition needs.
9
Program Oversight: Establishing oversight to ensure the quality, consistency, and accountability of all programs.
10
Community Connection: Fostering meaningful connections with members to build loyalty, trust, and long-term support.
Implications for Leadership
Understanding these 10 Success Factors provides a leader with a roadmap for guiding their club toward sustained growth and excellence. Knowing these factors are prioritized by impact means that leaders must focus on what matters most – starting with strong leadership and strategic planning before addressing operational details.
Leadership Accountability
A club’s trajectory depends on the leader’s ability to build the right structure and put capable individuals in key roles.
Decision-Making Priorities
Leaders must prioritize leadership, strategy, and structure.
Strategic Execution & Staff Accountability
Success depends not just on identifying strategic priorities but on translating them into operational plans with clear accountability.
Revenue Diversification for Long-Term Stability
Leaders must develop multiple revenue streams, including sponsorships, donations, investments, fundraising events, grants, and merchandise sales etc.
Strengthening Member Connectivity to Boost Retention & Growth
A strong sense of belonging encourages retention while positive word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied members can drive new enrollment.
Next Steps
1. Conduct a Leadership & Structural Review – Assess the club’s current leadership structure. Are the right people in the right roles?
2. Engage Staff – Have staff complete the Best Practice Survey and meet to compare and contrast the results. Which departments and roles are performing well? Where are there gaps?
3. Celebrate: Highlight the club’s progress in leadership meetings, staff updates, and in member newsletters.
4. Financial Review – Highlight the primary sources of revenue and assign Staff/Board Members to explore other ways to diversify revenue.
5. Leadership Community – Engage with other leaders – learn from each other and build a strong network. Attend the Leaders in Youth Sports Conference and/or join a Leadership Circle.
