As the evenings draw in and the days get shorter, we find ourselves settling back into the familiar rhythm of autumn. The kids are back in school, the summer buzz is fading, and there’s a collective sigh of relief as routines return. However, for many club managers and committees, this season marks the beginning of a busy and often chaotic stretch.
Members are squeezing in the last competitive rounds of the playing season, trying to make the most of dwindling daylight hours. The timesheet pressure is real. Meanwhile, committeesreturn from their summer break—hopefully refreshed—and ready to tackle the to-do lists that were meant to be cleared months ago. Some are preparing for their “retirement”, while others are deep in planning mode for 2026. AGMs, EGMs, year-end audits, and financial wrap-ups all converge into one hectic period.
But amidst all this activity, one question often goes unasked:
What does a successful year actually look like?