The Anatomy of Clubs

 Hi everyone! A key part of every soul riders journey is owning and joining clubs. Everyone remembers that first club they joined and the memories that come with it. There are so many different types of clubs out there - Hangout, dressage, event and even realistic. Clubs will often come and go but there are a few things that are key to owning the right club for you.

Server - One of the main reasons why your club may be struggling to get members is because of the server you are on, If you are on a super busy server filled with a lot of larger or well known clubs then yours will become overshadowed. Sometimes it is best to start on a smaller server and then once you have built up more of the foundations of your club you could move back. 

Environment - At every clubs core is their environment, it is what makes or breaks a club! If you provide your members with a safe and caring place then they are more likely to stay longer and build up friendships. Although this depends on the kind of club as if you are going for a dressage club then having a strict but fun environment can be super helpful as it allows you to have a solid work ethic but also bond as a club. Don't view your club as a chore, the members you have should be people you get on with and want to spend time with. 

Unique - Every club should be different, wether this is the theme or an iconic uniform. If you end up copying another club then people won't give your club a second look. Why be another club when you can create your own? Picking out a unique name and following theme is the first step to owning a good club. Uniforms are so important, people often over look it but this is an outfit that everyone in your club and yourself will be wearing most of the time. Following this, pick out a good horse! You will be riding this horse most of the time so make the choice count. 

Social Media - Not every club has to have social media but it is one of the main ways to meet new people and other clubs on your server. The first thing to do before anything is check with your parents and make sure you are of age to have an account, also brush up on some internet safety! Instagram can make such a difference to your club as you can create posts and edits that can draw the attention of possible members. It also keeps a record of some fun memories to look back on. It also is a great way to support each other, you can follow other clubs and enter competitions to help get your name out there. Another well used app is Discord, many clubs use this to communicate when they aren't on Star Stable. Again, you must be 14 years old to have this app and make sure you get parent's permission. You don't have to have social media to own a club, it all depends on what you are comfortable with and wether your parents allow it.

Events   - Clubs will always have events but it is what you do in them that counts. By having exciting events, you and your members will bond and create happy memories. People will want to come to more! Some cool event ideas to get you started are: Catch the runner - this is a team game where you have a team of one colour and a team of another. One is the catchers, the others runners who run around an area (I tend to use south hoof) until they are caught. Then they must change clothes into the catchers colour and start trying to catch the rest of the runners. It's a simple but fun game but you have to trust the catchers due to screen delay. Another fun event are themed nights. One of the favourites is a Disney night, dressing up as characters and then going to the disco to dance the night away. You could also do a twin event where you pair up and dress up the exact same, it's always fun to try to guess who is who. 

Finally, don't give up, clubs will always go through rough patches and there will be disappointments. The main thing is holding onto the fun memories and looking after yourself. If you feel overwhelmed or stressed it might be time to take a break from owning. Sometimes you need to work through the downs to reach the ups, the main difference is if the club is making a negative impact on you and this is when it's time to put the club to rest. 

Clubs are super interesting and it takes a while to find the right one for you! Just take your time and be creative.

Signing off,

Sylvie Stormlight