Sportidealisten

How to write a convincing resume

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Person reviewing job opportunities in sports industry, symbolizing career challenges and solutions for job seekers

When crafting a resume for the sports industry, avoid vague statements like “I’m a quick learner.” Instead, provide concrete examples of how you’ve made a measurable impact quickly, such as increasing social media engagement or ticket sales. Highlight your ability to adapt by showcasing experience across different roles or departments, and emphasize career progression and skill development to demonstrate growth. Focus on accomplishments, not just responsibilities, by quantifying your results with metrics that show your contributions to the organization. This approach will make your resume stand out to hiring managers.

Listing vague phrases like “I’m a quick learner” on your resume won’t impress hiring managers in the sports industry. In fact, statements like these can be a red flag because they are subjective and unproven.

Instead, provide concrete examples of how you’ve quickly adapted, learned new skills, or made a measurable impact. Here’s how to frame it:

Highlight fast impact in your bullet points:

Example: “Developed a comprehensive social media strategy for the team’s fan engagement, increasing follower growth by 30% and ticket sales by 20% within the first six months.”

The “first six months” part demonstrates that you can deliver results quickly, which is highly valued in the fast-paced sports industry.

Show adaptability across roles and departments: If you’ve worked across various departments—marketing, operations, team management, or partnerships—mention that on your resume. It demonstrates your ability to adapt to different teams, projects, and objectives, a critical skill in sports organizations where flexibility is often key.

When recruiters in sports review your resume (or LinkedIn profile), they are looking for more than just your experience—they want to see:

Career progression: Stagnation can be a concern. If you’ve held the same position for a decade without promotions or new responsibilities, it raises questions. Demonstrating upward mobility or taking on new roles within the same team or organization shows you’re actively growing and developing your expertise.

Expanding skill sets: It’s not just about title changes—sports recruiters want to see that you’ve learned and applied new skills over time, whether it’s project management, athlete relations, or data analysis.

Stability: Regular promotions also signal that you’ve stayed long enough to contribute meaningfully, unlike candidates who frequently jump between organizations.

This article offers plenty of examples on how to emphasize growth, especially through promotions, on your resume. It’s worth a quick read if you’re revamping your CV or LinkedIn.

Lastly, your resume should focus on your accomplishments (what you achieved), rather than simply listing responsibilities (what you were tasked with). Here’s the distinction:

Responsibility (avoid this): “Managed the game-day event operations.”

This doesn’t highlight how well you performed. It sounds generic, like it was copied from a job description. Instead, try this:

Accomplishment (do this): “Led game-day event operations, increasing fan engagement by 15% through innovative on-site activations, while reducing setup time by 25%.”

This version is specific, highlights the impact of your work, and quantifies the results, making your contributions clear and measurable.

Feel free using one or several of these tips. Let us know if you need any advice.

If you liked this article, may want to read these:

How to Use the STAR-Method in Your Resume

LinkedIn Profile Optimization and Job Search Strategies in Sports

Decoding Job Descriptions in Sports

2 Practical Networking Tips for Building Your Career in Sports

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Networking strategies for advancing your career in sports

To advance your career in sports, networking is essential. Be specific when reaching out to contacts, clearly stating who you want to connect with, such as “sports marketing directors.” Also, boost your visibility on platforms like LinkedIn by optimizing your profile and sharing relevant content, which can attract opportunities directly to you. These targeted strategies can open doors and help you build valuable relationships in the industry.

Networking plays a crucial role in advancing your career, especially in the sports industry. Whether you’re looking to be recruited for your dream job or aiming to form long-term relationships with key figures in the field, building a strong network can open up countless opportunities. Here are two practical tips to make your networking efforts more effective:

1. Be specific when networking:

Your contacts likely want to help you but might not know how. Make it easier for them by being clear and specific with your requests.

Example: Instead of asking, “Can you help me with my job search?”, try something like, “I’m looking to connect with sports marketing directors in professional leagues. Do you know anyone in that role?” Being this precise gives your network a clear path to assist you.

Avoid vague asks like, “Can I pick your brain?” or “Let me know if you can help,” as they often don’t lead to actionable outcomes.

2. Inbound networking:

You can attract opportunities by increasing your visibility on professional platforms like LinkedIn. In the sports industry, this is especially useful for connecting with recruiters, coaches, or sports executives.

Start by optimizing your LinkedIn profile to show up in more relevant searches. Highlight key experiences, skills, and projects related to the sports world. Then, create content that engages the right audience—whether it’s sharing your insights on sports management, discussing trends in athlete development, or showcasing your involvement in events or teams. This will help draw attention from decision-makers in your field.

These strategies, when applied consistently, can significantly boost your chances of landing opportunities in the competitive sports industry.

If you liked this article, may want to read these:

Networking Tips for Introverts in the Sports Industry

Two Mindsets That Will Transform Your Approach to Networking, Especially in the Sports Industry

How to Ask Your Network for Introductions in the Sports Industry

How to reply a rejection email

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Job seeker responding to a rejection email, focusing on professionalism and feedback

Rejections are a common part of job searches in the sports industry, but they can also be opportunities for growth. Instead of just moving on, consider sending a professional follow-up email asking for feedback. This can help build connections with hiring managers and improve your chances in the future. Keep the tone respectful, and don’t push for a reconsideration—focus on learning and building relationships.

Rejections are an inevitable part of the job search in the sports industry, no matter how talented or qualified you are. Teams, leagues, and organizations can’t hire everyone, and even top-notch candidates may miss out simply because there aren’t enough spots available.

When you receive a rejection email, your first reaction might be to delete it and move on to the next opportunity. While that’s a natural response, you can actually use this moment to your advantage and turn it into something that could benefit your career in sports. And it only takes one email.

Below are three effective templates you can send to a hiring manager when you’ve been rejected. These examples show you how to request feedback and establish a lasting relationship with key decision-makers in the sports world, which could open doors down the line.

After receiving a rejection email, rather than simply moving on, consider sending a follow-up like this:

“After our conversation and my research into your organization, I’m confident that the sports industry is where I want to make my mark. While I understand your decision, I would greatly appreciate any feedback you might have that could help me in my pursuit of future roles. I know your time is valuable, so please don’t feel any obligation to respond, but any insights would be incredibly helpful.”

Notice how we’re clear that the manager isn’t obligated to reply. It’s crucial to remain professional and never argue the rejection or ask for reconsideration. Instead, keep the focus on learning and growth.

Another example

After receiving a rejection email post-interview, your first instinct might be to delete it and focus on the next opportunity.

While this reaction is natural, you can use the experience to benefit your career with a simple email. Here’s a sample message you can send to the hiring manager:

“After speaking with you and researching the company, I’m even more certain that [your industry] is where I want to build my career. I understand I’m in no position to ask for favors, but if you have a moment, I would greatly appreciate any additional feedback. There’s no obligation to respond, but any insights you could share would be incredibly helpful as I continue my job search.”

Notice how the email respectfully acknowledges that the recipient isn’t required to respond. It’s crucial to remain professional and sincere in your request for feedback, and never attempt to dispute the rejection or push for a reversal.

Keep this in mind next time you get a rejection email.

If you liked this article, may want to read these:

Ask These 3 Questions to Ask the Interviewer

Essential Questions to Ask When Interviewing for a Role in the Sports Industry

Decoding Job Descriptions in Sports

Decoding Job Descriptions in Sports

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Job seeker analyzing sports job descriptions and optimizing their resume for ATS in the sports industry

When reading job postings, understanding the jargon can be tricky, especially in the competitive sports industry. Crafting a resume that not only passes the initial screening but also resonates with hiring managers in the sports industry requires a unique approach. Sports organizations often look for specific traits like leadership, teamwork, and results-oriented performance. To stand out and increase your chances of success, your resume should not only reflect your qualifications but also align with industry-specific expectations. Here’s a deeper dive into how you can craft a winning sports resume:

1. Tailor Your Resume to the Sports Industry

Just like in any other industry, customizing your resume for each job application is key. However, in sports, it’s even more important to align your experience, skills, and achievements with the demands of the role you’re targeting. For instance:

  • Use Sports-Specific Keywords: Many hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) in sports use job-specific keywords to filter resumes. Keywords could include “athlete management,” “sports marketing,” “event coordination,” or “coaching development.” Look at the job description to identify these and incorporate them into your resume naturally.
  • Highlight Industry-Specific Accomplishments: Focus on achievements relevant to the sports industry, such as leading a sports team to a championship, coordinating large-scale sporting events, or managing high-profile athletes. Quantifying your successes (e.g., “increased team performance by 30%”) makes your resume more impactful.

2. Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

As mentioned earlier, many sports organizations rely on ATS software to streamline the hiring process. ATS scans for specific information in your resume, and failing to meet its criteria can mean your resume is automatically discarded, even if you’re highly qualified. Here’s how to improve your chances:

  • Proper Formatting: Avoid complex layouts, graphics, and unusual fonts that ATS may have difficulty reading. Use standard headings like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.”
  • Use a Clear, Consistent Structure: ATS software prefers simple, reverse-chronological resumes. Start with your most recent experience and make sure your employment dates are accurate and easy to find.
  • Focus on Keywords: Incorporate the job title you’re applying for and industry-specific terms throughout your resume. For example, if applying for a role as an “Athletic Director,” use variations of that phrase along with terms like “sports operations” or “athletic program management.”

3. Highlight Transferable Skills

If you’re transitioning into sports from another industry, or moving within different sectors of sports (e.g., from coaching to sports marketing), highlight your transferable skills. These are abilities you’ve honed in other areas that are valuable in sports roles, such as:

  • Leadership and Teamwork: Essential in both individual and team sports, leadership roles can translate into positions like team management, coaching, or even sports marketing.
  • Communication Skills: Whether it’s presenting game strategies to players or negotiating contracts for an athlete, strong communication is key in sports roles.
  • Time Management and Organization: Coordinating training schedules, managing events, and balancing the needs of athletes all require excellent time management.

4. Quantify Achievements

Hiring managers want to see evidence of your impact. Instead of listing job duties, focus on how your actions made a tangible difference. Did you improve team performance? Manage a sports event that drew record attendance? Examples of quantified success in sports could include:

  • For Coaching Roles: “Developed training programs that increased athlete performance by 20% and led the team to two state championships.”
  • For Event Management: “Organized a multi-day sports event with over 5,000 participants and increased event sponsorship revenue by 40%.”
  • For Sales/Marketing: “Implemented a sports marketing strategy that boosted social media engagement by 35% and increased ticket sales by 25%.”

5. Showcase Relevant Certifications and Education

Sports roles often require specific certifications or degrees that show you are prepared for the unique demands of the industry. For instance:

  • Certifications: These might include a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), USA Track & Field Coach, or even sports management certifications.
  • Education: Be sure to include degrees related to sports science, sports management, physical education, or business management with a focus on sports.

Additionally, consider ongoing education or workshops you’ve attended in areas like coaching techniques, sports nutrition, or sports marketing, which can set you apart from other candidates.

6. Use Action Verbs and Avoid Passive Language

Strong resumes use action-oriented language to create an impression of leadership and initiative. Instead of saying “responsible for managing,” opt for stronger verbs like “led,” “coordinated,” “executed,” or “implemented.” These verbs convey a sense of ownership over your duties and achievements.

Examples include:

  • “Led the development of new training protocols, improving player performance by 15%.”
  • “Executed a marketing campaign that resulted in a 50% increase in fan engagement during the season.”

7. Highlight Volunteer or Internship Experience

Especially for those at the early stages of their careers, volunteering and internships are critical to gaining experience in sports. Be sure to list:

  • Volunteering: If you’ve volunteered at sports events, helped coach youth teams, or worked behind the scenes for local or regional sporting events, include these details. Sports organizations value commitment to the industry.
  • Internships: If you’ve completed internships with sports teams, marketing agencies, or sports event organizations, emphasize what you learned and accomplished during these experiences.

8. Network and Leverage Connections

Networking is a huge part of the sports industry. Make sure your resume reflects your connections, especially if you’ve worked with prominent teams, athletes, or events. In sports, a referral or a mutual connection can significantly boost your chances of landing a job, so don’t hesitate to mention collaborative work or partnerships in your resume.

Conclusion

A successful resume in the sports industry is more than just a list of your experiences—it’s a tool to showcase how your skills, achievements, and knowledge align with the needs of the role you’re applying for. By tailoring your resume to the job, optimizing for ATS, and focusing on results-driven accomplishments, you’ll position yourself as a standout candidate ready to thrive in the dynamic world of sports.

If you liked this article, may want to read these:

How to Write a Convincing Resume

How to Use the STAR-Method in Your Resume

Essential Questions to Ask When Interviewing for a Role in the Sports Industry

LinkedIn profile optimization and job search strategies in sports

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Optimizing LinkedIn for job search in the sports industry

Navigating the competitive sports industry requires strategic use of LinkedIn to enhance your job search. By leveraging advanced search techniques, decoding job descriptions, optimizing your profile with targeted keywords, and networking effectively, you can significantly increase your visibility to recruiters and connect with valuable opportunities. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to make a career move, these LinkedIn strategies are essential for standing out in the sports job market.

1. Advanced LinkedIn Profile Search Using Google

  • Overcoming LinkedIn Search Limits: LinkedIn often restricts the number of searches you can perform, especially if you’re a free member. A useful workaround is to use Google search operators to find LinkedIn profiles more effectively.
  • How to Execute:
    • Use the Google search operator "site:linkedin.com/in" to filter results to LinkedIn profiles only.
    • For example, if you’re looking for sports marketing professionals in New York, you could search for: "site:linkedin.com/in sports marketing new york". This will provide direct links to relevant LinkedIn profiles without LinkedIn’s search restrictions.

2. Decoding Job Descriptions in the Sports Industry

  • Interpreting ‘Years of Experience’:
    • Job descriptions often list specific years of experience required, but this isn’t always a strict rule. For example, if a sports management position asks for “3-5 years of experience,” a candidate with just 2 years of significant achievements might still be considered.
  • Understanding Job Titles:
    • Job titles can vary greatly between companies. A “Coordinator” in one sports organization might have responsibilities equivalent to a “Manager” in another. Focus on the responsibilities and requirements rather than getting caught up in the title.

3. Effective Job Searching on LinkedIn

  • Include a Current Role Even If Unemployed:
    • If you’re currently between jobs, add a title that reflects the position you’re seeking, like “Aspiring Sports Coach” or “Freelance Sports Journalist.” This increases your visibility to recruiters who search by current roles.
  • Utilizing Alumni Networks:
    • Tap into your college or university’s alumni network via LinkedIn. Your connection to fellow alumni can provide insider advice, industry insights, and potentially job leads or referrals. Use LinkedIn’s university pages to search and connect with alumni in the sports industry.

4. Networking Tips During Challenging Times

  • Specificity in Networking:
    • When reaching out to sports industry professionals, be clear about why you’re contacting them. Mention specific aspects of their career or expertise that you admire and explain how their insights could benefit you.
  • Time Management in Networking:
    • Respect the time of the person you’re contacting by being concise. Think about what you genuinely want to learn from them and include those questions in your message.
  • Show Appreciation:
    • Always express gratitude for their time and advice. Follow up after your interaction to let them know how their guidance helped you, which keeps the door open for future interactions.

5. Keyword Optimization for Your LinkedIn Profile

  • Optimizing for Recruiters:
    • Use keywords that recruiters in the sports industry are likely to search for. This includes specific roles like “Sports Analyst” or “Athletic Director,” and skills like “sports management” or “athletic training.”
  • Where to Include Keywords:
    • Incorporate these keywords into your LinkedIn headline, summary, and job titles. This ensures your profile ranks higher in search results when recruiters or potential employers are looking for candidates with your skills and experience.

By following these strategies, you can effectively navigate LinkedIn and the broader job market in the sports industry, enhancing your visibility and connecting with opportunities more efficiently.

If you liked this article, may want to read these:

How to Write a Convincing Resume

How to Use the STAR-Method in Your Resume

Unlocking Hidden Sports Job Opportunities: The Side Door Strategy for Getting a Job in the Sports Industry

How to write successful resume bullet points

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Resume bullet point tips: action verbs, achievements, and metrics

To create an impactful sports job resume, focus on the content, not just the design. Start each bullet point with a strong action verb, quantify your achievements with specific numbers, and highlight accomplishments rather than just listing responsibilities. Keep bullet points concise (1-2 lines), avoid vague language and personal pronouns, and emphasize past achievements with clear metrics. This approach ensures your resume stands out to hiring managers.

When applying for sports-related jobs, the substance of your resume is what truly matters, not just the design. Even the most visually appealing resume won’t impress hiring managers if your bullet points aren’t compelling and impactful.

So, how can you create successful bullet points for a sports job application? Here’s a framework and checklist to help you:

  1. Lead with a strong action verb: Begin each bullet point with an action verb that clearly demonstrates your role (e.g., Led, Organized, Facilitated).
  2. Avoid vague language: Be precise. Instead of using vague terms like ‘various’ or ‘multiple’, quantify your achievements. For example, rather than saying you ‘coordinated multiple events’, specify that you ‘coordinated 5+ sports events.’
  3. Quantify your impact: Use numbers and metrics to highlight the impact of your work. Did you increase team efficiency? Boost ticket sales? Whenever possible, include concrete results to illustrate your contributions.
  4. Focus on achievements, not duties: Your bullet points should reflect what you’ve accomplished, not just your daily tasks. If you find yourself writing ‘Responsible for’ or using weak verbs like ‘Assisted’, you’re likely focusing on responsibilities instead of achievements. Past tense verbs like ‘Managed’ or ‘Executed’ emphasize completed accomplishments.
  5. Eliminate personal pronouns: Your resume should be focused and professional. Avoid using personal pronouns (e.g., I, my) to keep your bullet points concise and relevant.
  6. Keep it brief: Each bullet point should be 1-2 lines long. Concise, well-crafted points make your resume easier to read and understand. Lengthy paragraphs are likely to be skimmed over or ignored.

Example:
Here’s a strong bullet point that adheres to this 6-point framework:

  • Spearheaded the development of a new training program, resulting in a 25% increase in team performance metrics.

For more tips, consider revising your resume by focusing on these points. Review sample bullet points from top resumes to get inspired and apply these strategies. Once updated, resubmit your resume for feedback to see how it has improved!

Sportidealisten also gives you the opportunity to:

  • Review your resume – get access to a full resume review; including sample bullet points you can copy into your resume.
  • LinkedIn review – optimize your LinkedIn profile in minutes and start getting opportunities from recruiters

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out.

If you liked this article, may want to read these:

LinkedIn Profile Optimization and Job Search Strategies in Sports

Four Tips for a Successful Cover Letter and How to Write It

Sports Job Search Checklist

Sports job search checklist

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Sports job search checklist guide for candidates in the sports industry

Navigating the job search process, especially in the sports industry, can be challenging. To enhance your chances of success, it’s crucial to approach each stage strategically—from crafting a standout resume to optimizing your online presence and preparing thoroughly for interviews. This step-by-step sports job search checklist offers practical tips and tools to streamline your job search, ensuring you make the most of every opportunity.

Below we will go through our sports jobs checklist:

  1. Resume
  2. Online presence
  3. Finding a sports job online
  4. Applying for a sports job online
  5. Get an introduction or a referral
  6. Interviews

Resumes

Use a readable template

When applying online, your resume is often first scanned by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) at least at the bigger sporting organizations. Many candidates are rejected because their resume templates aren’t compatible with these tools. Make sure your resume is easily readable by ATS.

📍 Use standard fonts and section titles.
📍 Create your resume in Word or Google Docs, and export it as a PDF. Avoid using Photoshop or creative design tools.

📍 Your resume should highlight your accomplishments, not just list your responsibilities. Avoid writing it like a job description.
📍 Use action verbs and quantify your achievements.

Know someone’s who’s currently looking for a new job? Send them this checklist or share it with your network.

Online presence

The stronger your LinkedIn profile, the easier it is for recruiters to find you, leading to more opportunities coming directly your way.

What you should do

Update your LinkedIn profile:

Ensure your LinkedIn profile and work experience are up-to-date. Craft an engaging LinkedIn headline and summary.

📍 Use an engaging LinkedIn headline.
📍 Write a compelling LinkedIn summary.
📍 Ensure your LinkedIn aligns with your resume, including job titles and work history.

Keyword optimize your LinkedIn profile:

An optimized LinkedIn profile makes it easier for recruiters to find and contact you for relevant roles. To identify the right keywords, review job descriptions you’re interested in or check top LinkedIn profiles in your industry.

📍 Tailor your LinkedIn profile to the sports industry or job you’re targeting; update your job titles accordingly.

Clean up your social profiles:

Take the time to review all your social profiles, not just LinkedIn, and remove anything you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see.

📍 Consider setting your non-professional social profiles (e.g., Instagram, Twitter) to private during your job search if needed.

Finding a sports job online

Explore niche job boards and connect with recruiters in your industry.

What you should do

Search niche job boards related to your field:

While platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn are popular, many jobs tailored to your skills are often found on niche job boards that larger sites don’t aggregate. Employers frequently post on these smaller sites to attract more targeted candidates, resulting in less competition and a higher response rate for you.

📍 To find niche job boards, search “sports jobs” on Google or just stay with us at Sportidealisten.
📍 You can still use Indeed, Monster, and LinkedIn, but complement them with niche job sites like Sportidealisten. Employers often receive many irrelevant applications on larger platforms, leading them to focus less on those candidates.

Contact a recruiter directly:

If you have a company in mind or already have a contact at a company you’re interested in, reach out to the recruiter directly.

Applying for a sports job online

Follow these steps for every sports job you discover online.

What you should do

Tailor your resume to a job posting:

To pass resume screeners, customize your resume for each job application by incorporating the key keywords from the job description.

📍 Save the job description to your computer when you apply. The employer may remove it by the time your interview is scheduled.

Cover Letter (Optional):

A cover letter can help you stand out from other applicants, particularly for your dream job.

📍 Avoid simply summarizing your resume. Your cover letter should offer new insights or information.
📍 While writing a cover letter for each job application can be time-consuming, you can reuse sections across different applications. Just make sure to customize the introduction and highlight relevant skills for each position.

Follow up with the recruiter:

It’s often straightforward to locate the recruiter handling the role you’ve just applied for. Find their contact information on LinkedIn or Google and reach out to them via LinkedIn or email.

📍 Send a personalized connection request on LinkedIn.

Get an introduction or referral

In addition to applying online, consider reaching out to your network to seek an introduction to the company. While optional, this approach can significantly boost your chances of landing an interview.

What you should do

Ask your network who’s hiring

You might already know people who are employed at companies you want to work at. They can directly refer you to companies so you can skip the initial resume screening stage.

📍 If you have a company in mind, go to LinkedIn and find people in your first degree network who work at your dream companies.

Get introduced by mutual contacts:

Utilize LinkedIn to identify contacts outside your immediate network who share mutual connections with you. Request a ‘warm’ introduction from these mutual contacts.

📍 You likely have friends or acquaintances who work at your dream companies.

Set up informational interviews and get referred

📍 Do not ask for a job or a referral directly. Instead, ask your contacts about their company and get a sense of if it’s the right role for you. Take notes – these learnings will also help you stand out at the interview stage.

Interviews

How to prepare for the interview.

What you should do

Prepare questions to ask the interviewer:

At the end of your interview, you’ll likely be asked, “Do you have any questions for me?” Be ready with thoughtful questions!

📍 This is your chance to determine if the company is the right fit for you and to leave a positive impression on your potential employer.

Learn about the employer:

Research the organization to understand what they do, who their clients are, and their overall approach.

📍 Start by visiting the company’s About Us page, review recent news, and pay attention to any updates on funding or strategic announcements.

📍 Discover what sets them apart from their competitors.

Learn the job description:

Thoroughly understand the job description, including your daily responsibilities and the teams you’ll be working with.

📍 Be prepared to explain why you’re a great fit for the role when asked by the interviewer.
📍 For each responsibility or task listed in the job description, come up with specific examples that demonstrate your relevant experience or skills.

Practice, Practice, Practice!

Rehearse the most common interview questions with a friend or in front of a mirror.

📍 Be ready to answer questions like “Tell me about yourself” and “Tell me about a time when…”.
📍 It’s normal to feel nervous, even for seasoned interviewees. Practice in your interview attire to help ease nerves on the big day.

Conclusion

Successfully securing a job in the sports industry requires a multifaceted approach. Start by using a readable resume template and tailoring your resume for each job application. Enhance your online presence by optimizing your LinkedIn profile and cleaning up your social media. Explore niche job boards and connect with recruiters directly to uncover hidden opportunities. Follow up on applications, consider using a cover letter to differentiate yourself, and leverage your network for introductions and referrals. Finally, prepare diligently for interviews by researching the employer, understanding the job description, and practicing common interview questions. By following these steps, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the job market and increase your chances of landing your desired role.

The sports job search can be incredibly challenging, but we hope our checklist help simplify the process. To receive these tools and career insights directly in your inbox, join our newsletter.

If you found this playbook useful, please consider sharing it with your network. Doing so not only helps others but also allows us to reach more people, enabling us to maintain and expand our free resources.

If you liked this article, may want to read these:

LinkedIn Profile Optimization and Job Search Strategies in Sports

How to Write Successful Resume Bullet Points

Four Tips for a Successful Cover Letter and How to Write It

The Importance of Sports in Job Seeking: A Key to Success

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Job seeker reviewing opportunities in the sports industry, symbolizing career growth

In today’s fiercely competitive job market, academic qualifications alone are often insufficient to secure success. Beyond the confines of classrooms and lecture halls lies a realm where invaluable skills and traits are honed – the world of sports. Far from merely promoting physical fitness, engagement in sports cultivates a myriad of qualities essential for navigating the professional landscape. From fostering teamwork and leadership to instilling resilience and problem-solving abilities, sports offer a holistic training ground for aspiring professionals. In this article, we delve into the profound significance of sports in the realm of job seeking, highlighting how its lessons serve as a cornerstone for career triumphs.

In today’s competitive job market, having more than just academic credentials is crucial to stand out and succeed. An activity often underestimated in terms of developing essential skills and traits is sports. Sports not only promote physical health and well-being but also offer a plethora of qualities and abilities that are invaluable for job seeking and success. Let’s explore why sports are so vital for career pursuits.

  1. Teamwork: Sports train individuals to effectively collaborate in groups. Being able to communicate, support, and rely on teammates is crucial for achieving common goals, something central in the professional realm. Work teams function like sports teams, where each member plays a unique role in achieving success.
  2. Leadership: Within sports, individuals often have the opportunity to assume leadership roles, either as team captains or leaders of specific exercises or strategies. These experiences contribute to developing the ability to motivate and inspire others, a priceless skill in the workplace.
  3. Goal Setting and Drive: Setting and working towards goals are the essence of sports. By striving to improve skills and achieve specific objectives, athletes learn to be disciplined and focused. This ability to stay motivated and resilient is also crucial for achieving career success.
  4. Stress Management and Patience: Sports teach how to manage stress and pressure, which is a vital trait in the professional realm where deadlines and demands can be taxing. Additionally, athletes learn to be patient and persevere even when faced with challenges, which is invaluable in any profession.
  5. Loyalty and Engagement: Being part of a sports team often entails strong commitment and loyalty towards the team and its goals. This sense of belonging and engagement is also crucial in the workplace, where loyalty to the company and its goals is essential for success.
  6. Problem-solving and Conflict Resolution: In sports, individuals often encounter problems and conflicts that need to be resolved quickly and effectively to maintain team harmony and focus. Being able to handle conflicts and solve problems constructively is an invaluable skill in any work environment.

In conclusion, sports are an invaluable resource for developing the skills and qualities necessary for job seeking and success. By practicing teamwork, leadership, goal setting, drive, patience, loyalty, and problem-solving within sports, individuals prepare themselves to become successful and well-adjusted professionals. So, the next time you ponder how to enhance your prospects in the job market, don’t forget that sports can be the key to success.

If you liked this article, may want to read these:

LinkedIn Profile Optimization and Job Search Strategies in Sports

How to Write Successful Resume Bullet Points

Sports Job Search Checklist

COMPATH meeting update – empowering young sports professionals

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Young professionals in sports industry collaborating during COMPATH project meeting

I February we hade a new meeting within the EU project “COMPATH” where we are empowering young sports professionals. This time the meeting was held by NYSA Sweden and in Stockholm, Sweden.

We are happy that we now have had a new meeting with the COMPATH team. At this meeting we followed up the latest discussions on how our COMPATH project supports the sports industry by empowering young sports professionals.

The meeting was held in Stockholm, Sweden and hosted by NYSA Sweden at GIH (the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences. Except for updating each partner of the latest progress we talked about what the modules of the COMPATH project will create new opportunities for young professionals in the sports industry at the meeting.

The COMPATH project supports the professional and personal development of young people through a Competence Hub on Sport Innovation.

Special thanks to NYSA for their great hospitality and all our partners that we are happy to work with.

If you want to follow our partners on LinkedIn, then find them below.

OPRI International Project Office Loughborough University Sportsko učilište PESG – projekti MOBAD Sportidealisten Regional Development Agency SIMORA AIforlives NYSA Sweden UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia

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Successful start to the new year: Ten important aspects for your sports club

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successful start to the new year ten important aspects for your sports club

With the arrival of the new year, sports clubs have the opportunity to grow and flourish. To ensure a successful and rewarding season, it is essential to carefully consider and plan various aspects of club operations. Here are ten crucial areas that your sports club should focus on to make the most of the upcoming year.

1. Goals and Vision

Establish clear and measurable goals for the club and its members. By defining goals clearly, a direction is set for the club to strive towards, instilling a sense of achievement for all involved.

2. Effective Communication

Develop an efficient communication strategy to keep members informed about club events, changes, and goals. Utilize various platforms such as social media and email to maximize reach.

3. Member Engagement

Emphasize the importance of member engagement by organizing events and meetings where members can participate and express their opinions. A strong sense of community contributes to a positive club atmosphere.

4. Leadership and Organization

Evaluate and enhance leadership within the club by clarifying roles and responsibilities. Strong leadership forms a stable foundation for the club’s success.

5. Training and Development

Keep training programs current and relevant by investing in coach education and staying updated on the latest sports trends and research.

6. Finance and Budget

Take control of the club’s finances by creating a detailed budget for the upcoming year. Plan for investments and explore opportunities for sponsorship and financial support.

7. Club Culture

Focus on creating a positive and inclusive club culture where everyone feels welcome and respected. A strong sense of community strengthens the club as a whole.

8. Marketing and Visibility

Increase the club’s visibility through effective marketing and PR. Use social media and local media to spread information about the club’s activities and successes.

9. Collaboration with Parents and Guardians

Build a strong relationship with parents and guardians through regular communication and collaborations. Their support is crucial for the success of both the club and the athletes.

10. Physical Health and Safety

Prioritize the physical health and safety of players by implementing measures to reduce the risk of injuries during training and competition.

Conclusion

By carefully considering and acting upon these ten aspects, your sports club can look forward to a successful and rewarding season. Creating a strong foundation for community, training, and communication will allow the club to thrive in the new year.

Want to bounce ideas or get our interim sport management help, contact us today.

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Sportidealisten signs new contracts with sports clubs

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Sportidealisten signs contracts with Malmö FBC and Tygelsjö IK sports clubs for new collaboration and growth

Summer is here and soon a new semester of sports activities will start. Several sports clubs set new plans for their season and organisation. Two sports clubs we have been working with are now setting new plans and strategies and therefore we are happy to get onboard with new contracts with Malmö FBC and Tygelsjö IK and helping them getting more efficient and modern.

New contract and setup with Malmö FBC

Our founder Jakob Wikenstål, has been working as the temporarily club director for the past year at Malmö FBC and now the club has found their new club director, Marcus Hedlund. However, the work with the club doesn’t stops now, we have signed a new deal where we will help will help Malmö FBC with sponsorships and sales, communications, events and CSR. During the past year, our work at Malmö FBC has been a broad role, where we have help them with everything from sales, to events, to youth development and strategies. But from now on we will focus on driving the commercial side of the sports club forward, which Jakob has already started with, for example, the business network, Magenta, as well as several new collaboration partners for the floorball club.

Jakob and Marcus have already started the handover, and Marcus officially started his new position on 1/7.

“With this much-needed increase in resources for the club, we will be strongly equipped for next season, both sportingly and financially. It has been a tough year for our sports club, but with the right people on the right place, we will take further steps upwards. The commercial side will be extremely important, and there both Marcus and Jakob will be key people,” says Joakim Spåre, vice chairman.

Full story from Malmö FBC.

marcus hedlund klubbchef at Malmö FBC med Jakob Wikenstaal sports consultant at Sportidealisten

Extended contract with Tygelsjö IK

Not only Malmö FBC wanted to set up and get forward for the fall, another sports club in Malmö that we have worked with is Tygelsjö IK. We are now back on track and will help Tygelsjö IK to schedule their training and match schedule as well as managing their website and email. Our aim is to maintain and develop their organisation as well as helping their members staying active and onboarding new potential members becoming great ambassadors of Tygelsjö IK.

Do you sports club need help?

Are you part of a sports club in Sweden who are struggling with too many tasks or need to recruit a new colleague or want to become a modern and smart sports club? Contact us to learn more how we can help you getting forward.

Contact us

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Dual career within sport management

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Jakob Wikenstaal at COMPATH project meeting in Murcia, Spain with sport management professionals.

This week we had our second meeting with the EU project COMPATH that was held in Murcia, hosted by UCAM Spanish Sports University. the project is about promoting employability of young student-athletes through a “competence hub on sport innovation”.

At the end of May 2023 we took part of the second meeting of the EU project COMPATH.

Together with all the project partners we followed up from the first meeting that was held in Oslo, Norway 2022 and this years’ focus was planning and brainstorming for the next steps in the COMPATH project which supports the educational, professional, and personal development of young athletes-students (18-25 years) through a ‘‘Competence Hub on Sport Innovation’’, thereby contributing to promote quality and new jobs and to driving innovation. Hopefully more people can use their passion for sports and get into the sport management industry later on.

The objective of COMPATH

The specific aims of the project are:

  • to develop educational resources in order to touch both the careers and perspectives of young student-athletes by showing sports-oriented technology and 21st century skills, business world, entrepreneurship and different thinking and literacy methods; and
  • to launch the ”Digital Competence Hub on Sport Innovation” where young student/athletes will acquire the skills and competencies to increase their employability in the sports industry.

Dual career

One of the project partners is European Athlete Student (EAS) and they support European athletes in combining high performance sport and education. A “dual career” means you as an athlete can both focus on your athlete career as well as a career outside of the athletic one. EAS helps in this way by helping athletes to get an education or vocational training, so that they have a safe platform to start from when their sports career is over.

The International Olympic Committee has also build up great resources for a dual career. Some of the great benefits for a dual career are:

  • Health and psychological benefits such as reduced stress and increased well-being. Education allows you to give yourself a break and have a different focus or a positive distraction.
  • The opportunity to enhance current skills, develop your life skills and become more well-rounded.
  • The chance to expand your social networks beyond sports.
  • Enhanced employment prospects with transferable skills for the future.

COMPATH in Murcia

We are happy to be currently participating in the COMPATH project. The second meeting was held in Murcia, Spain, hosted by UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia! Over two days, we were engaging in dynamic discussions focused on driving innovation in education and sport.

The meeting covered a range of crucial topics, including overall project management, the development of educational resources, gamification-based digital sport innovation, pilot schemes, dissemination strategies, and more! We are really looking forward to see student-athletes to become the next sport management professionals. More about what the meeting looked like, please see the galley below.

Stay tuned as we continue to forge ahead with the COMPATH project, aiming to transform education and sport through collective innovation!

COMPATH project meeting in Murcia, Spain with sport management professionals.
Jakob Wikenstaal at COMPATH project meeting in Murcia, Spain with sport management professionals.
Jakob Wikenstaal at COMPATH project meeting in Murcia, Spain with sport management professionals.
COMPATH project meeting in Murcia, Spain with sport management professionals.
COMPATH project meeting in Murcia, Spain with sport management professionals.
Jakob Wikenstaal at COMPATH project meeting in Murcia, Spain with sport management professionals.
Jakob Wikenstaal at COMPATH project meeting in Murcia, Spain with sport management professionals.
Jakob Wikenstaal at COMPATH project meeting in Murcia, Spain with sport management professionals.
Jakob Wikenstaal at COMPATH project meeting in Murcia, Spain with sport management professionals.
Jakob Wikenstaal at COMPATH project meeting in Murcia, Spain with sport management professionals.
Jakob Wikenstaal at COMPATH project meeting in Murcia, Spain with sport management professionals.
COMPATH project meeting in Murcia, Spain with sport management professionals.
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These 4 things are what your sports club should focus on during the summer

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Summer tips for sports clubs: Building, reviewing, planning, and skill development strategies for a successful season ahead.

During the summer, the activities in a sports club are usually quieter than at other times of the year. It can then be a good time to make the following 4 things in order to become a smart and effective sports club. Therefore, here are 4 tips on what you can do during the summer.

Build

Build and set up your upcoming semester in your administration system. First of all, what does your sports club look like? Which members should be in which group? Do you have enough coaches or is it necessary to recruit new ones? If you are going to open any training groups or events for the autumn, it is high time to create these setups already now. Make sure there are links or buttons to click in order to register for the new semester. Also remember to notify your members of all information well in advance of the start of the semester.

Review

Review your governing documents and policies. Does something need to be revised or do you lack an action plan? If there is any period of the year when you can focus and make great documents and policies for internal and external uses, then the summer is the time to develop these and then implement them before the start of the autumn semester. Here you will find tips on how your sports clubs can develop a crisis plan from Riksidrottsförbundet. If you use digital tools such as Dropbox or Google drive, Trello or have documents saved on your computer, it can be useful to go through existing files to remove outdated documents or add new ones. It may also be relevant to clear your membership register so that old members are not lying around in the system.

Plan

Plan for upcoming events. Do you have a lecture, workshop, kick off, project or event to organize for autumn/winter? Start planning already during the summer months and you will have the work more evenly distributed and will not have to sit with everything at the same time at the start of the semester. This will save you more time and money than you think. Make sure to involve at least one to three more people in order to more people engaged and aware about upcoming plans.

Focus

Focus on skill development within the sports club. Perhaps some of our previous reading tips might be of interest to you? Learn more here.

Bonus – do more with less

Do you in the sports club need help to make these things happen, or perhaps need help implementing new projects and tasks for the autumn? Then you can contact us to find out how we can help you on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. We help sports clubs become smarter by working smarter. Maybe you and your colleagues need some vacation but are stressed out that the sports club will be standing still? No worries, we can do the work while you rest this summer! Contact us to learn more.

Grass during Summer
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How to build a sports club’s website

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Sports club website design guide with tips on domain, hosting, and SSL certificate.

Is your website up to date? If you are or know the one that is the website administrator, then you should read this article of how to build a sports club’s website. During the fall 2021 we received a request by Malmö Tigers Wrestling to update their website from IdrottOnline to something new. After some initial meetings we managed to not only update the website, but also upgrade it and make it more user and member friendly. In this article we will share how you can create a website, what we did, how we did it and why.

IdrottOnline

Today it is a must to have a website for sports clubs in order to be found by new potential members but also in order to help your own members with the latest news or recruiting new staff or coaches etc. In Sweden the sports clubs have a history of websites that are built up on the system IdrottOnline, which is the Swedish Sport Confederation’s own system where all participation is registered in order for sports clubs to receive important income called LOK-stödet.

When IdrottOnline was launched in 2007, the vision was a single operating system for the entire sports movement, but today many sports organizations work in other systems, which requires a structured collaboration. IdrottOnline has also grown in complexity, which means managing the website is not up to date and lacks a modern structure as all websites require today.

At the end of 2022 this website tool at IdrottOnline will be shut down, which means that a lot of sports clubs need to make a change and setup a new website. Even though this may sound challenging, we do think that this is a good step forward for the sports clubs. Why? Well, IdrottOnline is an old system that is not user friendly, which makes it problematic to provide good communication to members and potential members. The user experience is key when it comes to digital engagement. About 5-7 seconds is the time limit before a visitor online takes a decision and either stay or move on to another website. And if we want to keep provide the best sports opportunity and getting more members, we need to communicate clear and be user friendly.

About 5-7 seconds is the time limit before a visitor online takes a decision and either stay or move on to another website.

Jakob Wikenstal, founder & ceo, Sportidealisten

What to think about when getting a new website?

So now what? You know you need to change the website platform, usually called CMS, which is the background platform tool which makes all magic for each website.

Do you have a website at IdrottOnline? To get a smooth change as possible – do not wait. Start with an analysis of the current situation. What works well or less well with your existing website?

Here are some things to think about when getting a new website

  • What are your target groups?
  • What features should your website have?
  • Which administrative system (s) do you use within your sport?
  • Do you have your own domain name? Learn more about domains here.
  • Don’t forget to save and download all of your texts, documents and images from your IdrottsOnline website.

What is a domain and a web host?

What is a domain and do we have one? What is a web host and do we need this? How do we choose a website solution? Which price range is reasonable? You do not want to spend a lot of money on the website, nor do you want it to take too much time. The non-profit time is already limited and therefore you want it to go quickly and smoothly. More about this here.
coding

First step when getting a new website

A good first step could be to bring together those people in your club who could be a good reference group. When you found your group, start looking at what is good about your website today and what you want to improve. If you are not part of the board, you might need to book a meeting with the board to get approval to run the move. And be prepared that this will take some time before the construction of the new website itself is underway.

5 things to consider when choosing a domain name

These 5 tips plus another one come from Internetstiftelsen.

  1. Do not bother about it
    This is useful if the site name and domain name are identical, except for accepted abbreviations. If your sports club’s name is not available, try to get a domain name that is easy to remember or relate to your club, which is more logical and therefore will appeal to more people.
  2. Think about the pronunciation
    Say the URL you want to register loud to yourself a few times. If it sounds strange and difficult to say the address, the domain name is probably not good if you want many visitors to the site. URLs are often used in everyday speech and then it is important that the domain name can be pronounced without major problems.
  3. Avoid misunderstandings
    Once you have found a domain name that works, search for the word or site name in the nearest search service. If there is an address that is already established and that also has similar content to what you will be doing on your website, then consider registering another address. If it is easy to confuse the websites with the names and domain names, it is probably not good for anyone. Remember to make sure that the domain name you choose does not infringe on the rights of others.
  4. Ask for advice
    Check with your colleagues and friends what they think about your choice of domain name. Is the address simple enough? Can it be memorized? Does the site name reflect what you will have it for? Feel free to test your domain name on those who are not constantly online professionals for the best quality of opinions.
  5. More than one address
    When you get the address with example.com or similar, you can also register example.se / example.nu or similar. There are countless variants of this, for example registration of accepted abbreviation used in everyday speech, xample.se, xmple.se and so on. Do not forget to point your different addresses to a main address, for example example.com. You can do this in the domain manager at your registrar where you register the domain name or get help from them with the pointing.

Web hosting

But will it be enough with a domain name? No, you also need a web host. And if you don’t not really know what it is, a “Web host” is a physical server where your website “lives”, so you need to rent a small area with space for your website. There are many different options to choose from and there are also options where web hosting is not needed at all. So a whole jungle. We will share more about this further down.

The best tip of the day is to take some time for you here. Even though this search and reading might feels overwhelming and stressful there are a lot of useful and free recourses and courses to learn more around all of this.

SSL certificate

Maybe most importantly to look up, if the web host delivers SSL certificate. An important companion, choose a web host (if you are going to have one) with support in Sweden and check that they have “SSL certificate” (yes, another new word you might have learned in this process), it is something that encrypts and which makes the information on the website secure, if you do not have this, you will also end up further down on Google’s search function. Which means that less people will find your sports club in Google and that is an opportunity you don’t want to miss out. Here, too, there are free options to choose from.

Does it cost to build a website?

The biggest change from having your website for free at IdrottOnline is that the next website will now be a cost for your club. So now when you will make your new website, you need to consider all costs that comes a long with a website.

One recommendation is to check with your sports association if they have an offer for you. This list shows which sports associations that are offering something to your sport:

When is a good time to build a website in your sports club?

One question that is a popular one working in sports, is how much time you have? Time is the biggest and most challenging asset we have in sports. When you build or move your website, you need to consider your time. When is a good time to make your new website? Depending on the sport or sports you do at your club, the timing to create a website will be different. No matter what, you need to plan for at least a week of thoughts, plans and decisions and then additional weeks depending if you create it yourself and if you do it full time or not or if you hire a consultant to build it. If you are an outdoor sport, you will most likely have July or December as your best time for improvements. And if you are an indoor sport, you will most likely have June-July as your best time for improvements.

What are the most popular services to build a website?

The most common website platforms to work with when it come to building a website are WordPress, Squarespace, One.com and Wix. The good thing is that these four are all easy to use because they provide a drag and drop function, so you don’t need to know how to code. And more important thing to also think about is the email functions, which comes included at One.com. With the other ones you will need to get a separate email operator. However, if you already got your email operator, then you can skip this thing.

WordPress .com or .org?

We are using WordPress and like what you get from the platform. However, if you are going for WordPress it could be good to understand that there are two different versions of WordPress, wordpress.com and wordpress.org.

But what is the difference?

“.Com” is more limited. You can’t create and manage that much with your website and you got limited templates and functions. But this is great if you just want the basics get up and running. You don’t need to know that much about WordPress and building websites, and the best benefit is that you can avoid the web hosting aspect too. With .org this is part of the setup.

“.Org” is unlimited when it comes to the choice of themes and functions. You can design and use all templates and functions you want, but you will need a web host and this will require more time in the start-up phase. And not only this, in order to get out the potential of a website with .org you need to learn a lot how to setup up and design several functions.

Wordpress, website

One example of moving from IdrottOnline to a new website

Still not sure if you can find a web plattform that is best for you and how to proceed? Don’t you worry, we will now share how we helped a sports club with their move from IdrottOnline to a new website.

Case study: This is how Malmö Tigers Wrestling got a new website

The president of the wrestling club, Malmö Tigers reached out to us during the spring 2021 and looked for help to create their new website. They were using IdrottOnline (see image below) and were limited in a good user experience and a digital presence. We set up an initial meeting in order to better understand what Malmö Tigers were looking for. During our conversations with Malmö Tigers we made sure to understand their core values, vision and what was important to find on their next website.

Malmö Tigers website

On the left side you find Malmö Tigers website with IdrottOnline

Background check and set up website

After the initial meetings we went through their current website and their social media accounts in order to understand what is available today and what could be used on the new website. For us it was important to use as much material as possible that the club already had in place. Combining this part with their vision and core values we created a mindmap and a draft on what will be important to highlight and what should be easy to find on the website.

One question that is good to consider is what menus or topics are important to have accessible for your members and visitors. This answer will help yourself or the consultant that will build the website to set up the new website.

With Malmö Tigers we went for One.com as it is a platform that includes email hosting as well as an easy drag & drop website builder, which does not require any coding skills. This was a great benefit for Malmö Tigers Wrestling when they would take over the website later on. They can in their own pace go through the website and get familiar with the drag & drop system.

Sportidealisten built a website for the sports club, Malmö Tigers Wrestling

After going through the current material, the vision, the core values and all discussions with Malmö Tigers Wrestling’s president we startade to find the right feeling, design and added more content in order to improve the SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). The use of an SEO focused website will help potential customers, members and athletes to find Malmö Tigers website. When people are searching for things, at least wrestling on Google they will hopefully find Malmö Tigers.

We had a continous check in with the president in order to include the sports club as much as possible in order to deliver a great customer friendly service.

And what was the final result?

On the right side you find Malmö Tigers after our work

What Sportidealisten provides for sports clubs?

When we helped Malmö Tigers and other customers, we have provided a setup where some pages are key to the foundation of the website. And we can deliver a basic package to get started with a new website for you too.

A basic package with a ready-made design that makes it easy for you to get started new website. We help you enter your color and your logo.
The package consists of ready-made templates that are used to create different parts of your website. Our package contains the most common templates for you to be able to build and grow with your website as you wish. The website is of course adapted for both mobile and computer.

Templates in the package:
• Home page
• News
• About
• Information page
• Contact

With the templates you can then create which structure and how many pages and workspaces / subsites (eg for a team or a big competition, etc.) that you are in need for. For example, information about your next competition, results, contact information, photo gallery, history of the club, newsletter, document archive and more.

Add ons and possibilities creating a website with Sportidealisten

Even though everything above sounds great you might not be done with your dream website. Well, there is more.

In addition to templates, you have lots of possibilities with other modules and features with an increased license cost. When the website is built with a module-based solution, we can easily change, add and change parts on the website, without the need for training or access to
web developers.

Examples of modules and functions:
• Search function
• Form
• Google Analytics
• Tags
• Automatic archiving
• YouTube and video
• Pictures and slide shows
• Sitemap
• Side trees
• Login
• Authorization control
• Spell check
• Link control
• Accessibility

How it works with building a website with the help from Sportidealisten?

Step 1

Contact us and we set up a meeting to discuss your needs. Together we set up a contract that delivers the basic package and support. You also share your profile color, your logo in the correct format and size as well as which domain name the website should have at launch.

Step 2

Sportidealisten carries out installation of the base package, adds your color as well as your logo. The website is then assigned one temporary address (domain) as used for editing before it’s time for launch.

Step 3

When the website is available via a temporary address you have the opportunity to edit and create pages and post the content as you wish to be on the website.

Step 4

You will be given access to an IP number so you can point your domain name. So as soon as you have pointed the domain name for this IP number the website is launched. If you do not have one domain name we can also help you with this.

Plenty of options on the market

The market for websites has developed enormously in recent years. As you have learned in this article, there are a number of free and high-quality website platforms with great opportunities for tailor-made adaptations. We recommend sports clubs and sports federations that use the IdrottOnline website to choose one of the free alternatives for the website that are currently on the market, or contact us to get guidance and help.

Do you feel that building a website feels like a big challenge? Don’t you worry, Sportidealisten can help you, either to build your next website or advice you with what to do and how to do it.

Contact us
If you liked this article, may want to read these:

Successful Start to the New Year: Ten Important Aspects for Your Sports Club

These 4 Things Are What Your Sports Club Should Focus on During the Summer

How to Secure Scholarships for Leadership in Sports Clubs

What is The World Games?

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Opening ceremony of The World Games with athletes marching

During the summer of 2022 another postponed Mega sporting event has been held and this article is focusing on The World Games that has been held in Birmingham, USA. But what is The World Games and why should it be the best sporting event in the world? These questions will be answered in this article.

History of The World Games

The idea for a multi-sport event for non-Olympic sports came from the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF). Realising that there were few opportunities to become part of the Olympic programme, non-Olympic federations wanted to form their own showcase event to increase the publicity of their sports, which they called The World Games. These federations formed a steering group in early 1979 to decide on the structure and principles of the games and search for a venue.

Back in 1980, the International World Games Association (IWGA) was founded. IWGA has 37 member sport federations but not all sports feature necessarily on every edition. Existing infrastructure and venues in and around the host city are the determining factor in the selection of sports to the Official Sports Program. In addition, the IWGA, in coordination with the host city, can invite some sports to participate in the “invitational” programme. No World Games medals are awarded to invitational sports.

What is the difference between the Olympic Games and The World Games?

While the International Olympic Committee grants its support to all editions of The World Games, and while the IWGA explicitly accepts and adheres to all principles in the Olympic Charter, the multi-sport games differ in one important aspect from the Olympics. The host is never required to build facilities or extend upon available infrastructure for the sake of The World Games alone. Ideally, the event is to be staged at existing venues, in appropriately sized facilities that have been planned or built regardless of the candidate host bidding for the event. This condition influences the composition of The World Games program. Not all sports feature necessarily on every edition. Existing infrastructure and venues in and around the host city are the determining factor in the selection of  sports to the Official Sports Program. 

One more difference to the Olympics, the invitation to and management of the competitions at The World Games are in the hands of the international sports federations.

When was the first World Games held?

The first edition of The World Games was held in Santa Clara, USA, in 1981. It was opened by Kim Un-yong, President of The World Games I executive committee. at Buck Shaw Stadium. At the opening ceremony, the athletes marched sorted by sport and not by nation.

The 15 sports at the inaugural games included badminton, casting, racquetball, and taekwondo. The first medals of the Games were awarded in the 640 kilo class of tug-of-war, with the gold going to the team from England.

(source The World Games )

When is The World Games held?

The World Games is held every four years with competitions for about 3600 of the world’s best athletes in over 30 different sports. Every 4 years, in the years following the Summer Olympic Games.

The World Games are staged over a period of 11 days. They start with the Opening Ceremony and conclude with the Closing Ceremony. Their organization is entrusted by the IWGA to a Local Organizing Committee formed by the host city and entities such as the regional and national governments, the National Olympic Committee and other sporting authorities.

So what is The World Games?

The World Games is organised with the support of the IOC. In The World Games, the sports that strive for Olympic status and that are part of the Olympic family participate, but not in the Olympic Games. the world’s best athletes in young, new and attractive sports and disciplines that are not part of the Olympic Games, unite in their common search for excellence during The World Games. And you know what, The World Games is the second largest multi-sport event in the world after the Olympic Games. Competitions at the highest level in a multitude of diverse, popular and spectacular sports make up the mainstay of The World Games. Sports practiced on land, in the air, in and on the water, all concur in the pursuit of “Faster, Higher, Stronger”. 

The previous edition took place in Wroclaw, Poland. Some 35,000 people attended the opening ceremony of the event, which attracted more than 3,000 competitors from 100 nations, including 66 paramotor pilots and skydivers.

The mission of The World Games

The principal statutory aims of the International World Games Association are

  • to develop the popularity of the sports that are governed by its Member Federations,
  • to improve their prominence through excellent sporting achievements, and
  • to conserve all the traditional values of sport.

How to take part in The World Games?

To become part of The World Games programme, the sport must be widely spread in the world and the specific sport federation must be a member of the IWGA.

In each sport, only the best athletes or teams may participate, as determined by the International Sports Federations. In most classes, it is necessary to qualify by a top ranking at the World Championships or a qualification tournaments, to be able to participate.

The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, USA

The World Games is held every fourth year but due to the pandemic, The World Games 2022 is actually one year postponed, which means it should probably be called The World Games 2021 like the Olympic Games did with the Olympic Games 2020. Anyhow, when you read this, The World Games has been held in Birmingham, USA, 7-17 July. Below is a promotional video to give you a good sense of what is happening at The World Games.

How many countries participate at The World Games?

At The World Games 2022 106 countries participated at the start in Birmingham.

This already takes account of the fact that the International World Games Association (IWGA) has banned athletes from Russia and Belarus from competitions in the 34 sports.

Insights of The World Games 2022

Here are som interesting facts of The World Games 2022.

103 Athletes from Ukraine

103 athletes from Ukraine qualified for 63 of the 223 medal events for The World Games 2022.

1,151 unique names

The database shows that around 2,200 quota places for athletes and teams have been allocated. The 34 International Federations that participated in the Games entered 1,151 unique names into the list.

Participants from Senegal, Nepal – and a 16-year-old from Pakistan

New countries on the list include Senegal: Ousmane Gueye qualified for the Nangun All-round Men discipline in Wushu. In the same Medal event, Deepak Hamal of Nepal competed for gold at The World Games. In the Nangun All-round Women competition, Nima Gharti Magar from Nepal competed. Pakistan is now also one of the 106 countries participating in The World Games, and with an athlete who became one of the youngest starters in Birmingham: Ahsan Ramzan from Pakistan won the World Snooker Championship in Doha. At the age of 16! In the final, young Ahsan defeated Amir Sarkhosh from Iran. At the award ceremony, the Vice President of the World Snooker Federation, Jim Leacy, extended an invitation to both the finalists for The World Games 2022.

60-year-old gentleman from Italy

In Billiards, probably the oldest participant in the Birmingham Games qualified: The Italian three-cushion specialist Marco Zanetti wants to coin his silver medal won at The World Games 2017 in Wroclaw, Poland into a golden one. In Cali, Colombia Zanetti won gold, at the Games in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei bronze. The „Italian Gentleman Zanetti“ turned 60 on 10th April.

Seven countries with big teams

A total of seven countries secured more than 100 starting places at The World games. These are the USA (352), Germany (300), Italy (238), France (205), Japan (144), Great Britain (118), Switzerland (113) and Ukraine (103).

Parasport

No parasport federations are currently part of the IWGA, but The World Games in Birmingham was the first edition to include parasports, with the inclusion of wheelchair rugby, and disabled athletes (one per gender) at archery. The IWGA is also aiming to secure a partnership with the International Paralympic Committee and include a quota for para-athletes in sports or events that are not at Paralympic Games program.

Sport selections

For The World Games in 2017 and before, official sports were selected solely by the IWGA. Only sports whose international federations were members of the IWGA could be selected. From 2022, the official sports are selected by both the IWGA and host city and can include some sports whose federations are not part of the IWGA.

The most loyal sports

Sports which have been contested at all editions of The World Games are bowling, finswimming, trampoline and tumbling disciplines of gymnastics, karate, powerlifting, roller sports, tug of war and water skiing.

(source The World Games)

Images and videos of The World Games 2022

Below we will share some videos and images of The World Games 2022. As you will see, there are som more and less common sports (depending on where you are from) that participate at The World Games.

Who won The World Games 2022?

According to the Medal history of The World Games Germany won most medals, followed by USA and Ukraine.

Table of medals at the World Games 2022

View the full table here

Why is The World Games probably the best event in the world?

Since 1981, The World Games has provided a unique setting for thousands of athletes from different sports and countries to join in a celebration of unity and friendship across all boundaries. The World Games are the main event for all these athletes – one marked by sporting exploits as well as by camaraderie. Even though most of these athletes and sports will never be part of the Olympic Games, this event allows everyone to take part as long as the sport is played around in the world.

The biggest aspect why The World Games should probably be the best event in the world is that is has a great sustainability approach when it comes to venues. We have all experienced the lack of legacy of the football World Cups and the Olympic Games when it comes to building new big venues that are amazing for the events, however not functional after the events. Usually the new big stadiums after the big events either will not be used at all or the are used but only bring an audience of 10% of the full capacity. But at The World Games the host city use their current venues, which also steers a bit of which sports can participate at each World Games.

Another interesting aspect of The World Games is the democratic process of the invitation to and management of the competitions at The World Games that are in the hands of the international sports federations themselves.

Summary of The World Games

During the summer of 2022 another postponed Mega sporting event was held and this article focused on The World Games that was held in Birmingham, USA. The World Games is a multi-sport event for non-Olympic sports because there were few opportunities to become part of the Olympic programme, so non-Olympic federations formed their own showcase event to increase the publicity of their sports, which is called The World Games.

Existing infrastructure and venues in and around the host city are the determining factor in the selection of sports to the Official Sports Program. In addition, the IWGA, in coordination with the host city, can invite some sports to participate in the “invitational” programme.

The World Games is the second largest multi-sport event in the world after the Olympic Games. Competitions at the highest level in a multitude of diverse, popular and spectacular sports make up the mainstay of The World Games. Sports practiced on land, in the air, in and on the water, all concur in the pursuit of “Faster, Higher, Stronger”. 

When and where is the next World Games?

Next up The World Games will be 2025 in Chengdu, China.

If you liked this article, may want to read these:

The SportsTech behind the athletes’ road to the Olympics

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