EMBRACING change can be difficult.
It’s often easier to roll along doing the same old things.
How many times have you heard – ‘if it ain’t broke why fix it?’
Businesses are continually reinventing themselves, introducing new ideas and products, ensuring they engage consumers.
It’s what you have to do if you want to be successful.
It surprises me that a lot of sporting clubs and associations don’t take the same approach.
They are quick to point out a decline in membership or participation, but often do nothing to address the issue.
If you want to stand out and attract new players and members, you need to be different from your competition.
The Sunraysia Cricket Association (SCA) has taken that approach this season.
It has decided if the sport is going to grow and prosper, changes needed to be made.
Instead of talking about it and pointing the finger, it has got on with it.
Altering the fixture to accommodate more white-ball games is a brilliant idea.
There are still some out there who are sceptical but, across the board, most players and club officials have embraced the idea.
It’s something different and at least they have shown the courage to make changes.
But like anything new, you have to be open to feedback – good and bad.
The SCA’s new schedule faces its first feel real test this weekend with two Twenty20 matches scheduled for the same day.
The first game hits off at 12.30pm with the second to follow at 4pm.
Once the first match is completed, players will be required to jump in their cars and head to another venue for the second game of the day.
While, in theory, this should not be too much of an issue, I just wonder how it is going to go down?
White-ball cricket is high intensity and two games on the one day at two separate venues is a fair bit to ask.
I know it is probably the only way the SCA could make it work, but it will be interesting to hear the feedback but, either way, at least cricket officials are prepared to try something new.
Rolling along with the same committee and ideas won’t change a thing – it might be a safe option, but it certainly won’t grow participation.
Maybe a few other sports in the region could have a look at the approach the SCA has taken and learn from what it has done.
