Because this is an unprecedented situation, nobody knows what will work. But many people have ideas. Through my conversation with many judokas, I gained many useful insights. Coupled with my own thoughts on the matter, here are some points that may be useful to coaches looking for survival tips:
1) There is only one practical option for judo clubs: Ask members to keep supporting the club during the shutdown.
2) It's important to distinguish between members who can't pay and members who won't pay. The former should be allowed to retain their membership in the club. The latter should be considered as having terminated their membership.
3) What if those who won't pay decide later on (after the worse it over) that they want to re-join the club? They are welcome to do so but they would have to re-pay back all the months that they had missed. This is the only way to be fair to those who did support the club in its time of need.
4) During these trying times, compassion and commitment are important qualities to practice. One should not be demanding and calculative towards other parties, for example towards landlords and towards members. But compassion and commitment needs to work both ways. The landlord should also be compassionate and committed towards the tenant. Similarly members should show compassion and commitment to their club. When everybody acts this way, win-win solutions can be found. When everybody acts in a self-centred way, everybody loses.
5) Speaking of landlords, it's important for tenants to also understand that the landlords too are facing tough times. Sometimes, the landlord is not necessarily the owner of the property. Our club is renting space from a badminton hall operator who is in turn renting the hall from the building owner. So, in a way, we are in the same boat. So, have a good discussion with the landlord. Don't be adversarial and start demanding things. This is a tough time for everybody. Everybody's trying to survive. Practice the art of give and take. This will produce a better outcome than discussing matters in strictly legalistic terms.
6) As for members, if you're asking your members to keep paying during the shut-down, you'd better give them something of value in return. Yes, they are doing it because they like the club and want to keep it alive, but coaches have an obligation to find ways to keep their members engaged, entertained and informed during these difficult times. The worst thing you can do is to maintain radio silence. Send them online lessons, video clips to watch, exercise tips, motivational memes, etc. Let them know you care about them.
7) Transparency is important. Keep members updated on the progress of your discussions with the landlord, for example. Any new developments relating to the club, let them know. They will appreciate being kept in the loop rather than in the dark.
8) Communication is crucial. Members should be made to understand that if they are facing any difficulties of any kind, they should speak to you about it. One member told me he is going to keep supporting the club but his own business is not doing so well and he's not sure how long he can keep this up. I told him not to worry, there will always be a place for him in the club. Another member told me that his company is not doing so well and that employees may face pay-cuts and maybe even some lay-offs. He said this and other personal matters means he has to take a break from judo for a while, but he would like to return at some point in the future. I told him he is always welcome to come back. (And no, I'm not going to charge him back fees – that's only applicable to those who won't pay, not those who can't pay).
9) Even if the lock-down doesn't last too long, it's going to be a long, hard slog this year. Realistically speaking, you are not looking at any growth in club membership. In the aftermath of Covid-19, you are not going to see a bunch of people inquiring about training in a close-contact sport like judo. So, focus your attention on those who are with you, the ones who have chosen to support the club and keep it alive. These are your core members. They are your rock. They are the ones who will keep the club alive.
10) Use this down-time to plan and and come up with ways to make your club even better once it reopens. However well you had been doing, you can always do better. In a way, this setback that we are all going through right now is a chance to reboot and offer a new and improved judo club once you re-open.
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