Where do you belong? - Deciding on the right club to play at!

One of the hardest things about local sport, or sport in general is figuring out which club to play at, especially if there are many clubs on offer in the nearby area. There are many pros and cons to weigh as every club is operated differently to the next. This blog is designed to help you make the decision on which club is best for you, and here you should play/continue your sporting career.

Every club goes through different stages of development and success, with a few select clubs being in a championship window aiming for the title, while the other clubs are in a rebuilding phase, often bleeding young talent, establishing a long-term project for future success. If you are a good sportsman that enjoys success, then it can be easy to join a club that is competing for trophies but doing this and ignoring everything else around the club can have a detrimental effect on the club atmosphere and culture, so it is up to you as an individual to decide if a trophy or being part of a good atmosphere is more important.

Not every club is like this however, and some clubs demonstrate a positive culture while also being successful, and if you are a decent sportsman keen on potential trophies, this is the ideal club for you. If you are a young player with potential, or just starting out, then it would be better to join a “rebuilding club”, as they often have good development coaches in during this time who can help you become the best player you can be, and these clubs almost always have a good culture as everyone is buying into a long-term project and working together to achieve it.

Not everybody is all about winning, even if they are gifted sportsmen. You may display leadership skills and want to be part of taking a developing team to the next level. This is a viable option if you are someone in the prime years of your career and looking to lead from the front at a club with a good culture. A lot of clubs who are rebuilding have a core group of youngsters that will hopefully be really good players in the next 5 years or so, and with you helping them reach that goal, may be what determines their long-term success. You may have to do a bit of travel to find a club in this position, but if you are up for it, then this is the recommended club for you.

If you are somebody that plays purely for enjoyment and wants to play with your mates, then it's pretty simple. Play wherever your mates are playing. If you play purely for enjoyment, then you won't have any fun if you're playing somewhere where you don't know the majority of players and members.

Say you’re a “veteran”, on the verge of retirement but still possess ability and have a couple years left in the tank. If you have stayed at the same club your entire career, then there is no point in switching, as your loyalty will be valued for years to come, even after your retirement. If this isn't the case, you are left with a couple decent options, the first being to play at a competitive side and go out on a high for your swansong and achieve potential success, or you could help a struggling club by using your experience to lead from the front and help them for their future. Ultimately, it’s up to you which one you’d prefer, as every individual's perspective is different, but both options have their highs and lows.

Here are some tips to help you decide where to continue your sporting future. Make sure that wherever you play, that you are doing everything you can to give your club a great atmosphere, so everybody enjoys their time there. All of us here at SportsBlock wish you the best for success in the future, both individually and with your team!