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[DiscoStu]

Having seen the thread on pre-match routines it got me thinking about what I can do to change the attitude at my new club. I've just moved to a new club (for location reasons) and it seems there is very little 'drive' there. Nets only start at the end of this month and the main focus of attention is just to get the ground ready in time for the start of the season. I'm going to help out with this and take part in fundraising activities but think that everyone needs a kick up the backside when it comes to getting into form and fitness. Is this the sort of thing that just shouldn't be attempted by a new player in case I get frozen out by the established players? Should I just see how it goes and concentrate on my own game? Do captains/vice-captains/presidents etc. appreciate the newbie telling them that they should do things differently?

All advice welcome

[mattw]

Do it, be proactive - otherwise clubs die.

I was new to one of my clubs back home, and I got a website built (which allowed for many sponsorship opportunities), organised 6-aside tournaments and many other ways for the club to get money.

The issue is that you cannot be the only one doing it, as it does take up a lot of time to organise for nothing back really. So I would voice your opinions at a meeting, then you can delegate jobs to each member in the squad, so everyone's doing something in the club to help the progression of it.

[joeljonno]

I'd be wary of how.

If you're more "what about this or that" rather than telling them you'll get a better reception. Always put it in a way that you get them to think your idea is a good idea and then you'll be fine.

[ProCricketer1982]

As someone in a similar position I think it's a very very sensitive thing. Yes if you lead others may follow etc BUT maybe the club just has no wish to improve? Maybe they are happy being a 'local' village team etc?

I think it's a case of finding out what the people really want, is it a case of them wanting to do it but no one leading or is it that they talk the talk but aren't really interested.

I know this one club I was thinking of joining has the potential to be one of the top clubs around BUT even though they talk the talk there is no real interest in improving. There is no fund raising so they won't really have any new facilities (a sports club do the wicket etc for them), they don't appear to do much actual training so players won't really improve unless they do it. Just the way it is. Yet another club I was speaking too has much more drive than the previous one but they don't really have the ground potential which is a shame.

[Buzz]

my suggestion is you make a note of the thoughts you have, but hold off.

trying to change things as soon as you start will alienate people. you need to drip feed ideas and make them think some were theirs.

don't try to change the world on your first day, understand their world first, but do try to set a good example and seek out like minded.members.

[potzy248]

I'd be wary of how.

If you're more "what about this or that" rather than telling them you'll get a better reception. Always put it in a way that you get them to think your idea is a good idea and then you'll be fine.

Yeah exactly. How you do it is crucial.

I started at a new club this season (NZ) as an assistant coach and player. I wanted to change a few things but its hard telling new guys who don't know you what to do.
Wasn't until I scored a few runs that the switch goes on and they let you into their bubble.

Maybe show them how professional you can be and set the standard. Once the season starts and you score runs and take wickets it will be much easier to get your point across.

[DiscoStu]

All I want is for myself and the team to do as well as possible without losing any of the social/fun element (the social element was one of the reasons I joined). I think I'll see how the first couple of performances of the season go.

Thanks for the advice, you lot are nice people.

[Vitas Cricket]

It largely depends on the group as to what the reaction will be.

I think their potential attitude to change would be pretty easy to predict based on a few nets with them.

Its probably best to approach your captain after a couple of nets and discuss plans for the season.

Do they have targets? Promotion? Survival?

What are they putting in place to achieve the targets? Structured training? Commitment to training?

If he doesn't have many answers, then drip feed a few suggestions, see what he thinks, if he puts them into play them brilliant. If he doesn't, approach him and the committee with your thoughts in full.

Some people can reject help/input i they see the person offering it as a threat, so you need to make it clear you aren't there to oust anyone, you just want to be part of a successful, ambitious club

[Vitas Cricket]

Just to add, the club myself and robin play for is easily the most fun and sociable club i've ever been a part of. On the other side of things, we won promotion (runaway league winners without losing a game all season) to the Cambridgeshire & Huntingdonshire Premier League in 2011, and managed to stay up in 2012.

Fun and success is an achievable combination

[MD2812]

 Spend some time round the club and get to know people's personalities, and their attitudes to the club?

Not worth pitching all your ideas to the guy who wants to turn up, play 40 overs then go home when there could be someone else with your enthusiasm.

[tushar sehgal]

Put good ideas forward as suggestions and volunteer yourself  with as many of those as you can rather than pointing out what they are and aren't doing and hopefully they'd be more receptive otherwise people feel that some rookie just showed up and thinks he is better than everybody else (even if thats not really the intention)...

[tim2000s]

my suggestion is you make a note of the thoughts you have, but hold off.

trying to change things as soon as you start will alienate people. you need to drip feed ideas and make them think some were theirs.

don't try to change the world on your first day, understand their world first, but do try to set a good example and seek out like minded.members.

+10

[Fezballoh]

Find the sane people! By the end of the season you'll have worked out who is really getting things done and will know who to work with.

[crictech]

most clubs have committees - maybe ask one of the execs if you can sit in on a few meetings

best to listen first

[ProCricketer1982]

The club and the committee have got to want to change/improve at the end of the day. Even if you do everything yourself etc, it'll just fall on deaf ears and if it's not got people's buy in it'll fall flat within a season or so.

Defo test the water out in pre season and maybe give them a season and see what it's like. If there isn't like minded forward thinking people then I wouldn't waste your time too much. Just an honest opinion.