Are you stuck
in the amateur mindset?
The sporting world is becoming more professional. That's the case
even in the amateur and semi-professional game. Are you approaching
your sport with a professional attitude or are you stuck in the amateur
mindset? Are you seeing other sports, clubs, teams, or individuals
succeed while you lag behind? Could your results do with a boost?
Maybe you need to change the way you approach your sport.
Adopt a more professional approach
If you don't think you need to be more business-like in the modern
sporting era, just look at some facts and figures;
- the sporting industry accounts for 3% of world trade;
- individuals are receiving sponsorship deals worth US$millions;
- In 2003, the Court of Arbitration for Sport received 109 applications
- Around the world governments are investing in sport and in some
countries there is a dedicated government minister or department
responsible for sport.
The reality is that if anyone continues to adopt an "amateur"
approach to sport (whether amateur, semi professional or professional),
that person or organisation will get left behind.
Sportscounsel takes the "amateur" out of the amateur
game
Sportscounsel was founded by me in 2003 with the sole purpose of helping
sporting organisations and individuals take the "amateur"
out of their approach to sport. I do this by focusing on three areas.
They are:
- Fundraising -
advising organisations and individuals on how to get funding and
sponsorship
- Risk Management
- keeping sport safe and sports organisations free from legal
liability
- Sports Law - managing
an organsisation's or individual's relationships with others to
ensure those relationships do not fall apart.
How do I do it?
I bring to the table 10 years of legal practice experience, 20 years
as a competitive sportsman, and 7 years as a qualified sports coach.
I am also a businessman and entrepreneur. That gives me a unique ability
to understand sporting issues within a business context. However,
it doesn't stop with me.
I also offer access to other experts through my strategic
alliances both in New Zealand and overseas, in particular, my
partners in the Sports
Risk Management Group. Through the articles
on this website, membership of the Gold
Medal Club, and the products
and services I offer, our experience
is at your disposal and you will find a lot of that experience given
away for free on this website.
What's the catch?
People often ask me why I give so much valuable information free on
this website. My answer is simple. I've learned from some fantastic
people, and I could never give back. This is my way of Giving Forward.
That is why the information in the articles,
and the Red Card newsletter, will be extremely comprehensive, but
always free. I have other products
and workshops that you may like
to buy, to increase your knowledge, but the Free advice will always
be FREE.
If you doubt it, even for a second, here is just one testimonial
from a reader like you. This will alleviate your fear about having
to search further for another website.
I think you guys are doing a great job. I don't care much about
the politics of disqualified athletes etc but the info on Sport
Management (especially Risk and Health and Safety stuff) is invaluable.
And for others I would say it is reversed (like the politics, don't
care for the management). Keep up the great work - I'm off to read
this issue now
Dave Driscoll - Momentum Sport and Training, New Zealand
The purpose of this website
Before I set up this website I searched for another website just like
this which gave away the amount of information this one does. I searched
for a long time and didn’t find what I wanted. All I got was
web sites advertising consultancy services or academic sites with
no business angle. There was no other site which gave away free advice
(not news) and covered the range of services Sportscounsel offers.
So, if you've been trolling through the internet, and like me you're
tired of drawing a blank, your search will end here. This will be
the website that will give you comprehensive information. This is
where you'll find everything you need to know about the wild and
wonderful aspects of the business of sport. And believe me, you'll
enjoy it!
How to Navigate this site
In this site you will find lots of information and also information
about services, seminars, workshops and products which Sportscounsel
offers. I suggest that first you read the various free
articles which are open to public viewing. ONLY THEN should you
register for the Gold Medal Club.
This entitles you to access to the remaining articles and Red Card,
the monthly newsletter of the Sportscounsel Group. The newsletter
is free but it is not a hastily put together document. Each newsletter
contains information which has been researched, is fun to read, and
is very useful.
Three reasons why you should join the Gold Medal Club
Reason 1:You won't get spammed. Generally, you will receive
one email per month with the newsletter. Occasionally, you will get
more than one email where there is a special offer you may be interested
in or useful information posted on this site. You can always unsubscribe
(I won't be offended!) and your privacy
is respected.
Reason 2:I have testimonials
for the newsletter. People from all round the world are members of
the Gold Medal Club - they all can't be wrong.
Reason 3:Only some articles
on this website are open for public viewing. The rest require Gold
Medal Club membership.
Here is what two subscriber said about the Gold Medal Club:
The Sports Counsel site has been a God send for me. I have
had difficulties finding relevant information about funding for
the organisation that I am involved with. I made so many basic mistakes
and being a member of the Gold Medal Club has helped me greatly.
It is absolutely fantastic what I have learnt.
The most valuable part of my membership is the information
the website provides me. It has given me a great advantage over
everyone else.
I would say to anyone that the SportsCounsel Website and the
advice it contains cannot describe how invaluable the information
has been and will continue to be. I would recommend anyone to subscribe
to it as it is so great and fantastic. Wayne T.Taylor,
Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.
Although I'm not strictly your target audience I read every
word. There is no other newsletter like it in New Zealand covering
those issues and I think it is spot on
Simon Munro, Simpson Grierson Solicitors, New Zealand
FREE e-book
When you subscribe as a member of the Gold Medal Club you also receive
a FREE e-book called "Coaching is a Dangerous Sport". This
book goes into all the potential liabilities of a sports coach, including
those arising from employment law, negligence and criminal law. It
is a must read for any sports coach but also for others involved in
sport to whom the principles are equally applicable.
Finally
As a coach, I know that the road to sporting success requires courage
and persistence. As a lawyer, I can spot the minefields along the
way and lead you through the maze. So grab yourself a protein shake,
settle down and start your journey here...
you may be some time.
Warm Regards,
Michael Smyth - Director
PS whilst this is a New Zealand based site, people involved in
sport from arond the world will find the information on this site
of great use especially in the areas of fundraising and risk management.
However, any references to law are references to New Zealand law
and for professional idemnity reasons I am obliged to say that nothing
on this site constitutes legal advice - if you are in doubt about
anything of a legal nature just give me a call - I am a New Zealand
practising barrister.
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