Volunteering in any club does not happen without assistance. Volunteers who are unsupported and not well managed are less likely to feel positive about their experience and, as a result, will not volunteer again. In order for your club to operate in an effective environment, the activities of all volunteers should be coordinated, which will help achieve the goals and objectives set by the club.

Ideally, one of your committee members should take charge and serve as the volunteer coordinator. Having such a role recognises the importance of volunteers to the successful operation of your club. The volunteer coordinator needs to be a good organiser, with plenty of time and energy to look after volunteers and to match the skills and experiences of all volunteers with an appropriate position at the club.

The volunteer coordinator is also responsible for working out the strategies designed to recruit, retain and recognise all club volunteers and should work in consultation with other committee members in doing so.

One of the keys to success for Australian Football clubs at local or country level is maintaining a strong, healthy relationship with the local council.

Most sporting grounds are on council property and are managed by the local council. As a result local councils are generally responsible for areas such as ground maintenance, pavilions, rubbish removal and car parking, however, this is not always the case. All football clubs should ensure they clearly understand what the council is responsible for and, therefore, what the club’s responsibility is in relation to their allocated sporting ground and facilities.