Starting something new always feel daunting. But with a little bit of effort, you can make it happen. All it takes is one person to get the ball rolling. Once you have a group of people exercising together regularly, it becomes a habit that’s much easier to maintain. Groups are great for making friends while staying fit and motivated at the same time.
Below is a handy guide on how to get started and the secrets for success.
Step 1: Decide on Activity and Rough timing
Decide on what activity interests you (walking, hiking, tennis…) and the time that will suits your busy life. Remember, if you starting a group, make it something that works for you.
Step 2: Decide your Preferences
Think about the kind of people you want to hang out with. Maybe you want a walking group for local Mums with primary school kids or maybe a Chinese Community Golf players group or maybe an Intermediate Tennis Players Group. Consider the primary purpose of the group. Is the main reason you are creating a group to meet new locals, improve your game or maybe it is for safety in numbers. Make this purpose clear in the group and think of it when deciding how the group operates. As an example, if the primary aim is to socialise, make sure to also ocassionaly hold social events to chnage the routine.
Step 3: Think about the Logistics
- Splitting costs – Is any costs incurred that you need to split with participants. Consider costs like court hire fees, equipment hire costs, or parking costs. Maybe setup a PayID or PayPal.Me link to collect payments.
- Location – Maybe you have decided on a location already or you have a list of options that you are open to exploring with your group. When considering a location, also think about ease of access for your participants. If most of your participants are from another suburb, be clear on why a further away location has been chosen.
- Meeting Time – Make it clear in the group what day and time you are open to considering so only the right people join your group.
- Cancellation policy – Be clear on your cancellation policy. Does the venue charge you for cancellation within 24 hours? Is yes, make sure you convey the same to all participants to avoid surprises.
Step 4: Create your group
This is the easiest part. Head over to KeepActive.com.au and create your group. Make sure to name your group correctly and be clear on your expectations.
Step 5: Advertise your Group
Advertise it to on your Facebook feed, your local Facebook groups and other related forums. Example Facebook groups to consider including local community groups(e.g. Ringwood Residents Group) and activity specific groups (e.g. Melbourne Tennis Partners)
Step 6: Get the Events Started
Here is the exciting part, your groups very first event. Create your first event in advance and collect RSVPs. If you don’t have enough numbers, cancel the event, collect feedback and repeat Step 5. Specially, work with people in your grpoup who are super keen as they are most likely to attend events.
During the event, listen to the feedback from your group – Is the meeting point confusing? Was everyone clear on what was expected? Refine your Group Description accordingly. This will avoid you answering the same questions again and again.
But, remember, any changes still have to suit you and your life. After all, that is the benefit of having your own group – you get to set the rules.
Final Step: Be Patience
It takes time to attract the right members to your group. Sometimes, people join your group with the best intentions but than life and other priorities get in the way. Finding and growing your group till it is sustainable takes time but is well worth it in the end. If you need any help, feel free to contact your KeepActive team for ideas and tips.
Got a great group? Share your photos and inspire others
Join the KeepActive Facebook group or tag us on Instagram or Facebook with your post event photos or share your story. There are a lot of people unsure about starting their fitness journey or meeting strangers, seeing stories and photos from other people can inspire others to take their first step.
