Community Involvement

In any organisation I feel that community involvement is so very important, no matter what company it is. I think the main thing that needs discussion is of what level of community involvement is needed. For some it so much as sponsoring a food run for the poor, for others it is handing out large amounts of money in an attempt to get those watching on your side because of your generosity. Maybe a structured community development role is needed with continuos involvement with sectors of that community. But what do you do when the whole of Perth metro or Western Australia is your community. When pleasing everyone is not possible but you endeavour to attract a positive image to your organisation.

Prior to my work with Perth Glory Football Club I was lucky enough to work with a small titanium dioxide organisation in Australind. Although the sector in WA is quite the company on a whole was fourth in the world for producing titanium dioxide. The small plant had placed together a community development program that was a well constructed mixture between monetary handouts, sponsorships in a number of areas and the ability to conjure up support for little known charities. Although it doesn’t sound impressive the structure was one of the best I’ve seen.

Since being at Perth Glory community development has been outstanding with the little resources available. As I selected and have a keen interest in helping the community development officer in almost all of his workings has allowed me to grad a greater understanding into sports community development and the keen, keen role that higher management and budget plays in community development.

The best part of community development is the kids, although some of the things we have done have been small, take almost no effort on our behalf and have the sole goal of trying to bring people into the stadium it is always a rush to see the joy that sports bring to children’s lives. Sometimes it can be something as small as kicking a ball can make them happy and that, in my opinion, should be the sole focus for the Club.

Since the decision to formulate a youth national league, the community development officer has taken charge of running the glory youth team. This has left me with more and more responsibility. Allowing me to be the head organiser of the clubs young guns programme. This is becoming a great experience and learning curve for me, trying to organise a number of venues whilst trying to ensure that the sessions run smoothly is difficult but yet exhilarating as pressure can mount on you but coming out the other side better than before provides all the worth in the world.

Maybe at the end of my time here I might not want to be apart of this organisation but in whatever organisation I work for I can only ask that it incorporates a community aspect in some way.