William Fly, the NHSSCA North Carolina State Director, was looking for a new way to promote association membership to coaches in his state. He had an idea: get a booth at the North Carolina Coaches Association annual meeting, taking place July 11-13 in Greensboro, where he could speak to the coaches one-on-one about the benefits of becoming an NHSSCA member.
The idea was a resounding success.
“The North Carolina state coaches conference is an event I’ve attended since I started coaching and 2012, Fly said. “Most every high school coach in the state would be there. I figured that would be the easiest way to get a hold of the most coaches to discuss our association.”
By having a booth at the show, Coach Fly was able to meet with many coaches, discuss their needs in the area of strength and conditioning, and let them know about the resources available to them through the NHSSCA. It was the perfect backdrop for him to have open, organic conversations with coaches and show the association knows what they are dealing with and how the NHSSCA is a community ready to help them.
“During my career, I have been just like the others attending the clinic,” Fly said. “Before I started my new position at Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte in March, I was a sports coach who was in charge of the weight room for the football program, so I understand what they go through when they have to run the weight room at the same time they coach a sport.
“We provide resources to make the lives of coaches easier. We have tons of resources on the association website, including presentations that go back more than five years. I told the coaches about NatCon— how it was in Tennessee this year and will be in Chicago next summer. And I talked to them about our Facebook group and how much great information is exchanged there every day; topics are discussed from every different angle and every situation a coach might be going through.”
Fly used a stand with a QR code in his booth that would send attendees right to the NHSSCA site. He offered coaches the chance to become a professional members at a discounted price.
“We had good success at North Carolina, and our membership went up after that event,” he said. “I very much encourage other state directors to seek out their annual coaches show and do the same thing moving forward.”
What advice would Fly give to other state directors in getting a booth for the association at their state coaches conference?
“I feel that communication and connection are the two biggest things in speaking to coaches about the possibility of becoming members of the NHSSCA,” he said. “Let them know there’s not much difference between you and them and that our association serves to educate, equip, and empower coaches like them.
“Don’t go by yourself.” Coach Fly continued. “I was fortunate to operate the booth with coaches who were already going to be there. State directors may be able to exhibit at their coach’s clinic with coaches they know who is going to be there to attend rules meetings and clinics. And just have organic conversations. You can tell coaches you speak with, ‘I think you’d be a great fit for the organization…I know our organization can help you.’ Deliver our message to coaches your message from your heart.”
