How to Involve Young People in Running Your Club
Young people can strengthen community, communication and new activities. Give them meaningful tasks, support and genuine influence.
Published August 4, 2026 · Hjerterum
Young people should not only be the target group for a club's activities. They can help shape them too. But the invitation needs to be specific, and the role must provide genuine influence rather than only practical jobs decided by others.
Ask about interests before titles
“Would you like to join the board?” can sound large and unclear. Start with something the young person already cares about: social media, tournaments, music, community or welcoming new members.
A clearly defined task or project group can be a safer place to begin.
Provide an adult sounding board
Support is not the same as control. Agree on who the young person can ask and which decisions they can make independently. Let an experienced volunteer explain practical routines without defining every solution in advance.
Adapt the meeting format
Long meetings and documents can create an unnecessary barrier. Send a clear agenda, finish on time and make it possible to contribute digitally when that is appropriate.
The National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark (DIF) has described experiences of bringing more young people into board work, while DGI offers insight into today's young people and their relationship with club life. Both point to the importance of taking young people's motivation and circumstances seriously.
Make the tasks visible
In Gatherheart, young members can see specific available tasks and choose something that fits their time. A coordinator can recommend tasks without removing the young person's ability to choose independently.
The historical overview can also make contributions visible over time. Use it for recognition and conversation, not to pressure young people into competing for the most points.
Show that ideas can become action
When a young person suggests an activity, help turn it into tasks, a budget and a next step. Even if the idea needs to be adjusted, the process should be transparent. Otherwise, the young person will quickly learn that “influence” is only a word.
Young people are not automatically the volunteers of the future. They can be co-creators right now.