Unlocking The Power Of Digital
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85% of the UK population
use the internet everydayIn the last 10 years the way we share information and talk to each other has changed dramatically.
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71% own a
smart phoneThere’s no avoiding the fact that smartphones, social media and instant messaging are now a part of everyday life. Even if you don’t use digital tools yourself it’s likely that the players you are trying to talk to are already using them… and for cricket leagues this is a major opportunity.
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6 in 10 people are active user of at least
one social media platform (e.g. Facebook)There are now a range of free and easy-to-use digital tools that you can use to communicate with players, keeping them involved with their clubs for longer, getting them playing more often and ensuring that more games of cricket are played each year.
So What Is Digital
What Digital Is...
A simple way to share information, making it easier to let people know about the playing opportunities that fit in with their busy lives
A fun way to keep people excited about cricket throughout the year, helping them to feel part of the cricket family, meaning that they are more likely to continue playing
A chance to understand what players think about their cricketing experience, meaning players feel heard
A tool to promote cricket and your league
What Digital Isn't...
A magic wand – it’s a great tool for effective league management but it won’t make up for poor game day or club experience
Something intimidating that only technical and young people can understand
A place for bullying, bad language or offensive behaviour
What Can You Use Digital For?
This guide shows some simple ways in which you can use digital tools to communicate with players and get more games played. Here’s a taster:
We Found
With fewer players visiting clubhouses communication can be a challenge
So Why Not..?
…use a WhatsApp group to encourage your clubs to organise team selection, give notices and make decisions on game day
We Found
Bad weather doesn't have to stop the game
So Why Not..?
...use pre-scheduled emails to inform captains of their options on game day
We Found
Cricketers often find cricket doesn't fit within their busy lives
So Why Not..?
...post news and photos about mid week and short format playing opportunities
We Found
Occasional and social cricketers are more likely to play if they regularly see stories about their team
So Why Not..?
...use Facebook to post news and photos about all the clubs in your league
What Digital Tools To Use
Use it
To Inform
What are its strengths?
- Send messages to groups on their mobile phones
- Create a group which individuals can then use to send and receive messages between one another
- See who has received and read your messages
What could we use it for?
- Providing the latest updates to players (e.g. weather information or updated game details)
- Sending out reminders to clubs and players
- Sending out messages regarding player availability to support your player loan scheme
Use it
To Engage
What are its strengths?
- Many clubs and players will have an account making it a quick and easy way to establish a community
- Excellent tools for creating events, sharing photos and videos and encouraging discussion
What could we use it for?
- Promoting your league and clubs
- Creating a forum to discuss opinions
- Publicising an upcoming event (e.g. games, AGM or a fundraiser) and managing RSVP
Use it
To Listen
What are its strengths?
- It’s a good way of connecting with other like-minded individuals or organisations (local media, other clubs and leagues, prominent organisations)
- A very immediate news tool meaning your messages are sent wide and far very quickly
What could we use it for?
- Keeping your community up to date with latest news about the league
- Ensuring that fans that can’t be at the game are up to date with game news (e.g. wickets and latest scores)
- Publicising upcoming events
MailChimp
Use it
To Inform
What are its strengths?
- Helps you to create attractive emails with easy-to-set-up templates
- Allows you to pre-schedule and send emails to a large number of people at the same time
- See who has opened or clicked on your emails
What could we use it for?
- Organising player loan scheme details including weekly player availability
- Asking players what they think about their cricketing experience
- Send out proposals for annual rule changes to all players
Useful Examples
I Need Help To...
Many leagues have shared challenges that digital tools can help to solve. Scroll through some of the most common challenges and discover solutions here.
